Another help me spend money thread or maybe not.... going to AXPONA


How to start this thread. Well I have a full thread here which has taken me a long ways to Maggie planar bliss.
https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=mug&m=234395
Room size is 11.5w 22.5L 8.5h

The cliff notes version of the above is Maggie 20.7 system with a pair of Vandersteen Sub 3 and HP7 crossovers
Recent additions are: Mac 601 monos, AR Ref6, dSC Bartok + AQ hurricane and dragon power + a lot of room setup.

So the only part of my system not questioned in 5 years has been the 20.7's as I really like planar sound. Of course that gets me thinking why should i stop there... for a $30k budget what can I hear.... this is where AG help is needed!!

The system sounds really good now, the Vandy system has now given me all the bass slam of big boxes to go along with that wall of planar energy. But I have the fever. I want to know how good the system is compared to a bunch of hardware I only read about. So I am going to AXPONA and also looking into my local Atlanta shops. 

Which leads me to: I auditioned two disparate systems today, Wilson Audio Sabrina's ($17k) and Wisdom Audio cost no object in-wall line source system (about $100k) which I have never heard of. I use to have WP7's, to me the newer Sabrina's are much better having lost the hot inverted dome tweeter, good but not superior to what i already have. However the Wisdom mutli line source system was just spectacular which was built around multiple Wisdom Sage L75's. These can be had as a floor stander for about $18k pair and they have them. So we go to that room but it was busy and I did not get a chance to hear them. If they are anywhere close to what I heard these go to the top of my list. 

My list (to hear or have heard as a comparison)
heard: Vandy 7 MKII, really good but too expensive
B&W 802D3 - good but not better

for my budget would like to hear at AXPONA if they are there: 
Vandy 5a Carbons 
Martin Logan ESL15A
Magico
Raidho
ATC
Focal
MBL - just because
KEF
Scaena - just because

But what about YG's or SoundLab and on and on... thanks for your inputs!


  
 

128x128hughp3
Thanks   For the advice guys. Yeah I just need to make it to Axpona  and hear   What I can. I  May end up not doing anything but I must say the ml 15a are good but I need a second or third hearing. The CLX with subs will Be available for audition in a few weeks. Not doing anything until after the show though
My axpona visit is over, sitting in chicago plane delayed by snow. 
The show was a great experience. So much to see but my list as completed. All of the vendors i visited were very nice. Rooms size was not ideal, an understatement, so listening required some imagination. 

My room plans have changed everything. Dedicated 27x20x13 in 6 months

My top speakers in order that fit my tastes are:
Gryphon trident ii - best of show, simply awsome. Vocal and piano were in the room realistic. But too much $$.

Avanteguard duo mezzo xd. Incredibly dynamic, clear, fast, chest bass. I love the looks. My top choice so far

rockport cygnas - tooo small a room and still high quality. Very clear yet smooth, great imagining, great bass. Need another listen in proper setting. Very good.

All of the Luminwhites were good.
The Magico and YG just are not personally the sound for me.

lastly will be demoing the ML Neoliths in a few weeks. With these 3 i think i have every design approach covered.

yes axpona was well worth it anf fun.


I did very clear and trasparent. The tracks playing were a little bass shy so cannot judge too well. Would work very well in my old room but i did not spend much time there as i was looking for amuch bigger presence. Better than many magico’s i heard