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Martin Logans are too damn transparent!

I have a pair of Aerius i and they are pretty much as transparent as the other Martin Logan's. Theres just "less" of the sound in LF and in dyanamic capability. But I've been trying all sorts of electronics with it and I'm not throughly satisfied. I know I love the speakers so their staying. I want a system that sounds detailed airy, precise yet able to sound all the sound on a a referance recording or chesky records cd, yet decently good with most recordings (most of the overly bright pop recordings). I was thinking of getting a Conrad-Johnson Premier 11a amp and Premier 14 preamp with either a Audio Research Cd2 or Classe CDP-1. Any other suggestions of what other people have used to achieve a succesfull system with Martin Logans?
tbonephile
7 responses Add your response
iceravendbd3
43 posts
 
HI Tbone: There is on 14July a thread on CLSIIz the bigger brother of AeriusI. You did not mentioned your roon size. Try some cables first if your gear are already hi-end. your proposed change of pre/pwr amps is one BIG drastic step to risk unless of course its for your birthday present. good luck.
tml2
234 posts
 
Try some Rogue MA-120 Mono blocks with either their 66 or 99 pre amp.They walk all over CJ which is good but overpriced.If Solid state is more you liking.Try a 5 channel bryston or Anthem mca 5 and bi amp the Logans.
bryceeboy
115 posts
 
Hello Tbone, I feel your pain, I tried and tried to get a pair of CLS's to work for me but no matter what I tried I could only get a ghost of an image. It was there but nothing felt like it had any substance. Finally ended up with a pair of Soundlabs. If you haven't heard these things in awhile you owe it to your self to hear a pair set up right. All the transparency of the ML's but with real bodies and instruments in real space, and real world bass. I cannot listen to ML's for any length of time anymore. Wonder why they had a static display at the last C.E.S.? Not trying to be a prude but if you don't want to give up the electrostat sound give the Soundlabs a shot.
7671
163 posts
 
Own the SL3's.Power them with a Meridian 557 power amp(200 watts into 8 ohm and 350 into 4 ohm)My pre-amp is a Meridian 502.Power Cables are Electraglide Reference with Fat Boy on amp. Interconnects are JPS/MillerSound. My line conditioner is ByBee Signature with Delta Lab Power cords. Transparent, I'll say!! The Aerius needs good source components with Great cables. At least 2.5 feet from back wall and lots of space on the sides. Toe in only slightly with the spike feet.I have found that cables particularly Power cables make the best improvement! Even over my $4000 CD Player. Have fun and enjoy the ML's.
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
My ML Quest Z's sound great with MIT Z Cord II power cords, Audio Research pre-amp, Classe Audio amps (two DR-8 amps) with Synergistic Research power cords, Classe speaker wire, Oracle Delphi IV/SME345/Grado Reference, YBA CD Integre....
reylon
47 posts
 
My CLSs love being driven with a Moscode 600 amp.I struggled with the M-Ls for 3 years,but it was worth it!Good Luck,Raanan
jgcmd
32 posts
 
The MLs require lots of power from a heafty amp, one that will drive 1 ohm load that the logans will occassionally present. Also, I have found that, maybe similar to your ears, the logans are "bright" or "transparent". A powerful, "musical" or "warm" amp (as opposed to an analytical one) might give you what you want. Also, the aerius may need a sub for good LF playback, depending on the size of your room. I have quest z's and find myself wanting deeper, more dynamic base. If you find a servo controlled sub with an internal amp, the logans will be freed up to play the mid and highs. Also, judicious use of ASC tube traps is a must for tight, deep base. Hope this helps.
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