02-05-13: Kushanava
My Musical preferences are:
1.Non Fatiguing sound but dynamic (not boring or dull)
2.Enough details with enveloping sound stage and good imaging
@Seikosha
Thanks.
I have demoed the Epos M12i (the only model available in my place) in Kolkata with Cayin 50T and Sugden A21.
I loved their versatility and ability to play all kinds of music pretty well.(considering their price tag)
The only downside was their brightness on some pieces .So maynot be good for long term.
So I though the soft dome may bring in better results.Unfortunately there are not much reviews for Elan 15 model.
However the Epics are getting praised everywhere[they are being compared to Harbeths ..].
So I am inclined to this Brand but Wonder why there are so less Epos users!!!
@Bo1972
Thanks.I will keep MA RX1 in my list of Blind buys since I am not able to Demo them.
@Roundmoundofsound
Thanks.I did demo a quad 12l with Sugden A21.It had a good mid range but I felt that it lacked the details and soundtstage.
However the demo material was new , and the dealer said that it usually takes >100 hrs to Break in.
I had the same experience with Usher V601.I didn't like it when it was demoed new.But when I revisited the dealer for the 2nd time ,
it sounded so different.
@Nvp
Thanks..I have a plan to check out the B&W CDM 1 at a friends place with MF.
@Ryder
Thanks.
Dali is not an Option because I felt that they sounded thin when I last heard them with Sugden A21.
My heart says do a blind buy for EPOS EPIC/ELAN or Monitor Audio.
I will demo B&W and Quad with MF.
What do you think of the Ushers v601/v602 or KEF Q series and MF m3i combination?
If you find the Epos M12i to sound bright and the Dali to sound thin with the Sugden which is a warm sounding amp, then I guess warmer speakers may suit your listening preferences better. FWIW most lower to mid-range Dali speakers sound thin and bright as they all have the ribbon tweeter. The Dali Zensor 1 and Mentor Menuet don't have the ribbon tweeter but a soft dome tweeter, and these models have more in the mids and show less stridency in the highs. Not too sure which Dali model you have listened to with the Sugden A21.
I suppose you can narrow down your choices to Epos Epic/Elan, Monitor Audio and Quad(the Quads are a bit rolled off in the highs, if you like that kind of sound). As for B&Ws, the current mid-range models are quite costly. The low-end models are not good IMO. I wouldn't consider KEF Q series and Ushers. The only KEF model that is worth considering is the LS50 which costs about $1500. Personally I feel the KEF LS50 is a very good all rounder. Not too sure if it will match up well with the MF M3i though.
Good luck.