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Audio Asylum Inmate warddorrity@starband.net's Magnepan MG20R / Pass / Accuphase System
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warddorrity@starband.net's Magnepan MG20R / Pass / Accuphase System
Last Update: May 18, 2003 at 21:11:39 IP Address: 148.63.100.213
Amplifier: Pass Labs X-350
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audio Research LS-22r
Speakers: Magnepan MG-20r
Sources:
CD Player/DAC: Accuphase DP-75
Turntable/Phono Stage: Linn LP-12 /Ittok LVII Tonearm/Dynavector 10-X4 mkII Cartridge
/ Krell Standard KPE phono Preamplifier
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects: Cardas Golden Reference biwire main cable / Audio Magic Spellcaster II jumpers. Cardas Golden Reference balanced and unbalanced interconnects
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.): Bybee Technologies Pro AC filter
Tweaks: MG20r xover upgrade underway
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz, New Age, Selected Sound Tracks, Some Rock and folk, World
System Goals/Comments: Finally, a system that pretty much disappears and leaves just the musical event. It delivers all of the subtlety, power and glory, and emotional impact of the musical experience. If I've erred in any respect, it's always been in favor of musicality over theatricality or gee-whiz effects. Is it done yet? Not exactly.

Note:
1. I run the Accuphase DP-75 directly into the Pass X350 via the Cardas Golden Ref XLR cables for CD playback. The ARC LS22r comes into play only for phono and tuner. It's a bit of extra work, but the results are worth it.

2. The Linn Sondek LP12 is sitting on a 90 pound slab of terrazzo marble which is in turn supported by three Nordost cone and saucer isolation devices.

3. With respect to system evolution, adding a pair of Pass X600 amps would be a nice improvement. I will probably keep the X350 for use in a biamped configuration. An ARC REF 1 or REF 2 preamp with the right tubes would make the the current preamp bypass unnecessary. At some point, it would be nice to upgrade to a pair of MR20.1s

I'm researching a makover for the 20Rs. The focus of my research addresses two areas:

A. Magnepan's middle-of-the-road crossover parts selections and

B. An acoustically and aesthetically non-intrusive means of stiffening the overall speaker frame and incorporating some decent stands.

I think that there's a lot of potential yet to be realized in the stock MG20R design.

Should these improvements prove successful and significant I'll offer them as a kit or as a service to MG20R owners. The same methodology can be applied to the 3.5/3.6 as well. I should have this in testing by the end of March. The crossover parts are on the way and I'm finalizing the CAD drawings for the stand/frame stiffener. Stay tuned...

System Strengths: Breathtaking musicality and you-are-there realism
System Weaknesses: Not the best room for it.
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation: History, philosophy, network engineer, software designer, long range marksmanship, short range combat knife and pistol practice, martial arts and the pursuit of liberty.

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