PHC1 - MC275 w Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento/2 JL Audio F112's/Bryston 10B SUB active

[jaygee]

Mc275MkIV & C2200, 2 x Klipsch Rt-12d Subs, Active X-Over

Hi All,
I'm from Australia and this is my first post. I've been reading this thread with a lot of interest as it reflects how my own system will be set up. My main speakers are Klipsch LaScala II's and I will have a pair of Klipsch Rt-12d subs delivered shortly. I have an outboard active crossover - the XM-44 from Marchand Electronics - to install into my system and I can't wait to try out this setup with my MC275MkIV and C2200 combo.

The XM-44 has been built as a high pass filter only as I plan on using the subs built in low pass filters and I can try the crossover point at either 80,100 or 120Hz with adjustable slopes from 24 to 48dB. The LaScala's are not known for their low bass response so a higher crossover should work well. I'll also be modding my LaScala's with Al Klappenberger's extreme slope networks and his trachorn upgrade - can't wait!

I've been a subwoofer guy for years and recently sold my Velodyne DD-18 to replace it with the dual Klipsch and outboard crossover cause I think the Klipsch subs will match my LaScala's better. This could be the final frontier in extracting ultimate performance from your system. I'll report my findings when I get my subs.

jaygee

 

[PHC1]

Welcome to AK jaygee and good luck with your project. Let us know how it turns out. :thmbsp:

 

[LewinskiH01]

Serge,

ohhh...dhon't...it's happening again...damn it!

As you might recall I had high expectations for your comments on this setup as I'm looking into it myself, but this comment: "in this combination the 275 smokes the 501s in sheer musicality" just killed me...Now I'm thinking of getting F112 or 113 to replace my REL Storm III, that cannot perform well above 45 Hz (as you suggested). Still need to upgrade my pre and soure, and improve my power quality, and get the 10B...and I'm thinking of replacing my sub...I must be loosing it!

Nevertheless thank you for taking the time to post this. It's very helpful, although my wife and wallet might think otherwise! :thmbsp:

Horacio

 

[EasyRiderNYC]

Sounds like the 275 is staying. :tears:

 

[PHC1]

Sounds like the 275 is staying. :tears:

The poor thing is shaking in its tube sockets thinking it will be replaced by MC2301s.

 

[PHC1]

Serge,

ohhh...dhon't...it's happening again...damn it!

As you might recall I had high expectations for your comments on this setup as I'm looking into it myself, but this comment: "in this combination the 275 smokes the 501s in sheer musicality" just killed me...Now I'm thinking of getting F112 or 113 to replace my REL Storm III, that cannot perform well above 45 Hz (as you suggested). Still need to upgrade my pre and soure, and improve my power quality, and get the 10B...and I'm thinking of replacing my sub...I must be loosing it!

Nevertheless thank you for taking the time to post this. It's very helpful, although my wife and wallet might think otherwise! :thmbsp:

Horacio

One step at a time, this way the wife and wallet can recover. This audio hobby reminds me of the old Chinese torture Ling Chi or "death by a thousand cuts" except the end result is that everyone lives and enjoys music.

 

[exracer]

Hi All,
I have an outboard active crossover - the XM-44 from Marchand Electronics - to install into my system and I can't wait to try out this setup with my MC275MkIV and C2200 combo.

The XM-44 has been built as a high pass filter only as I plan on using the subs built in low pass filters and I can try the crossover point at either 80,100 or 120Hz with adjustable slopes from 24 to 48dB.
jaygee

That's a common one among many Maggie owners. Another popular one is the DEQX. I don't know if you have stated this already in your other post Serge, my apologies if it has, but any reason the Bryston was chosen over these others?

 

[PHC1]

I don't know if you have stated this already in your other post Serge, my apologies if it has, but any reason the Bryston was chosen over these others?

I wanted a high quality "analog based" active crossover and did not want anything with DSP. Bryston 10B eschew ICs or digital filters and the 10B uses all analog class A discrete circuits and is in effect a very high quality class A preamplifier.


"The Bryston lOB Electronic Crossover

Bryston's Model 10B Electronic Crossover combines ideal signal-handling with an enormously flexible control function. Simple, direct front-panel switches allow any crossover curve to be set instantly, and the signal purity is always maintained.

All crossover selections are extremely accurate and repeatable, being implemented with 1% selected metal-film resistors and polystyrene capacitors. All switches are heavily gold-plated, for lifetime protection from corrosion. The level controls are precise 1 dB increments, also derived from gold-plated switches and 1% metal-film resistors. Most important, however, is that the Bryston 10B Crossover uses NO integrated circuits in the signal path. All internal buffer and amplification stages are Bryston's exceedingly linear and superbly quiet discrete op-amp circuitry. This means the signal is always maintained as "Audiophile Quality", with stability and freedom from noise and distortion unapproached in other crossovers. "

 

[Shane]

Hi Serge

" in this combination the 275 smokes the 501s in sheer musicality"

won't say I told you so

enjoy dude

 

[PHC1]

Hi Serge

" in this combination the 275 smokes the 501s in sheer musicality"

won't say I told you so

enjoy dude

Tubes most always shine over SS given the right conditions. This took quite an effort to surpass the 501s which are still one of the best ss amps I have had the pleasure of owning and listening to on a daily basis. :yes:

 

[Bill C]

Serge,
I'm planning to high pass my monitors as well when I finally pick up a decent sub. I was hoping that I could find a more affordable option for a high pass filter. I don't need all of the adjustments and controls of the Bryston, just a 80Hz filter. Are you aware of any simple filters or crossovers that will be as sonically transparent as the Bryston?

 

[EasyRiderNYC]

The poor thing is shaking in its tube sockets thinking it will be replaced by MC2301s.

I'll give that poor little tube amp a nice and cozy home.

 

[PHC1]

I'll give that poor little tube amp a nice and cozy home.

You have first dibs. :yes:

 

[PHC1]

Serge,
I'm planning to high pass my monitors as well when I finally pick up a decent sub. I was hoping that I could find a more affordable option for a high pass filter. I don't need all of the adjustments and controls of the Bryston, just a 80Hz filter. Are you aware of any simple filters or crossovers that will be as sonically transparent as the Bryston?

Nothing comes to mind. Maybe someone else can make a suggestion.

 

[EasyRiderNYC]

You have first dibs. :yes:

Thank you. Please keep me posted.

 

[Yardbird1]

Nothing comes to mind. Maybe someone else can make a suggestion.

I am using the DBX-223XL stereo 2-way active crossover, $179.95, and am very pleased with the results. I bi-amp my system, which consists of B&W N802's, C2200, 501's and two 275's, and only use the DBX as a high pass filter for the 275's. You might want to see if you can get your hands on another 275 and try running them as monoblocks, with your 501's, before you spring for the 2301's. I cross mine over at about 250HZ, which is below the speakers' 300 HZ mid/high crossover point, so the 501's are doing all the heavy lifting, and I think it is a very open and musical-sounding system.
Now, mind you, I don't have a sub, though I did audition an F112 this spring and, good as it sounded, just decided to go a different direction at that time. But the 501's, running the bottom end of the musical program, deliver ample bass, to my ears. As good as the 501's are, there is simply no way they can deliver the mid/highs as musically as the 275's can. Tube majic!

 

[PHC1]

You might want to see if you can get your hands on another 275 and try running them as monoblocks, with your 501's, before you spring for the 2301's. I cross mine over at about 250HZ, which is below the speakers' 300 HZ mid/high crossover point, so the 501's are doing all the heavy lifting, and I think it is a very open and musical-sounding system. As good as the 501's are, there is simply no way they can deliver the mid/highs as musically as the 275's can. Tube majic!

My speakers are not bi-wirable or bi-ampable. The subs are powered. There is no way I can run both 501s and 275 at the same time in this system. In essence, I am bi-amping though with the subs doing 80-90Hz and under and the 501s or 275 doing the rest.

 

[jjensen]

You could see how your system configuration sounds with 2 MC275's in mono before springing for the 2301's also... :scratch2:

 

[jaygee]

Serge,
I'm planning to high pass my monitors as well when I finally pick up a decent sub. I was hoping that I could find a more affordable option for a high pass filter. I don't need all of the adjustments and controls of the Bryston, just a 80Hz filter. Are you aware of any simple filters or crossovers that will be as sonically transparent as the Bryston?

Try Phil Marchand at www.marchandelec.com. I've got the XM-44 with XLR connections, built as a high pass filter only. You can have these built to your requirements. Costs about $900.

 

[Yardbird1]

My speakers are not bi-wirable or bi-ampable. The subs are powered. There is no way I can run both 501s and 275 at the same time in this system. In essence, I am bi-amping though with the subs doing 80-90Hz and under and the 501s or 275 doing the rest.

Yes, the one pair of speaker connections are a limiting factor, but you are bi-amping. I considered doing the same thing with a pair of F112's and my two MC275's before the 501's got my attention. The MC275 is simply a fantastic-sounding amp, and I will be keeping mine for a long time! If I were in your shoes, and looking for more tube power, I would be eying those MC2301's myself. Do the 2301's sound anything like a 275? your SF's must be very effecient, to be able to enjoy driving them with one 275!:yes: