 Mirage OM-7, OMD-15 and OMD-28
April 26, 2010
To Doug Schneider,
I have read all the reviews on the above-mentioned Mirage
models, and yours in particular several years back on the
OM-7 and more
recently the OMD-28.
As a current OM-7 owner, I am being pulled toward the OMD-28, and pulled with authority
considering the current $3k delivered price being offered. I know it’s very difficult
to compare and "remember" how something sounds, but can you relate how you
compare the OM-7 to the OMD-28? The OMD-28 is on the fringe of what I can afford, so the
OMD-15 may be in play here also, of which I have read
the review in Ultra
Audio by one of your colleagues.
The real question is: Do I gain performance from either the
OMD-28 or even the OMD-15 over that of the OM-7? Power is provided by an all-class-A
Threshold system: Forte Model 4 amplifier and Threshold FET 10 preamp. Power output is 50W
per side.
Thank you in advance for the time.
Rich
It's impossible for me to provide any kind of meaningful
comparison between the OM-7 and OMD-28, but I can say this: I think the OMD-28 is the best
speaker Mirage has ever made. At CES 2010 in Las Vegas, I talked with the Andrew Welker,
who designed the OMD-28. Andrew is no longer with Mirage: currently, he is working for
Axiom Audio. But he let me know that before he left the company, he bought a pair of
OMD-28s for himself because he's so proud of the design. In my opinion, the OMD-28 is a
good deal for what it originally retailed for, $8000, and is an absolute steal for $3000.
All in all, I love the OMD-28, but I do have to temper
my enthusiasm for it because of one thing: it can be difficult to drive. Where this shows
up mostly is in the sound of the bass. With some amplifiers, the bass sounds fat, woolly,
and uncontrolled. With others, the bass is tight, deep, and visceral, as it should be. I
talked to Welker about this and he found the same thing. What's more, it's difficult to
tell which amplifiers will work well and which will not. You really have to try it out. I
hope this helps. . . . Doug Schneider
Comparing Luxmans
April 21, 2010
To Uday Reddy,
I saw an email you answered last year about the Luxman
L-509u vs. L-590A II with Aerial speakers, and thought I'd ask a quick question about your
feelings about the less-expensive versions of these amps, the L-505u and the L-550A II,
with Devore Nines. I totally understand if you're busy or can't reply, but thought I'd ask
because I'm in a total quandary as to what to do, and there is no local Luxman dealer.
Forgetting the price difference, which do you feel is
better suited for the Nines and why? I listen to a lot of jazz, folk, indie, classical and
rock. In particular, I listen to a lot of guitar and intimate stuff, but also love things
where the bottom end is snappy and rounded. The little kid in me feels like the L-550A II
is better because it's more expensive, but I know that's just me being an idiot. So, any
thoughts? Thanks!
Marc
First, I'm never too busy to reply to
a reader's question; it's a great way to keep in touch with the audio
community. As far as the two amps are concerned, although the L-550A II
is rated at only 20Wpc, the Devore Nines (which I've heard great things
about, but haven't actually had the chance to hear) are quite sensitive,
so they shouldn't be too tough to drive. If you just listened to
acoustic music, I'd probably lean towards the L-550A II, but since you
listen to a wide variety of music, the added power and class-A/B
topology of the L-505u may be better suited to your needs. While the
class-A amplification of the L-550A II will have wonderful midrange
reproduction, it will have less impact in the low end. If that's not
enough, one reviewer whose views I really respect, John Marks, has made the L-505u his default recommendation
for an integrated amplifier. His previous go-to amplifier? My current amp, Jeff Rowland's
Concentra. . . . Uday Reddy
A new DAC to pair with Squeezebox Touch
April 17, 2010
I have read with interest the computer audio columns that
were recently written. I have a keen interest as my wife has asked me to streamline the
software a bit to reduce lost volume (in our house due) to CDs and LPs. As such, I have
started a search for equipment that would stream my ripped audio to my stereo system that
is downstairs. I think I have a solution in the Squeezebox Touch that will stream 24/96
audio. I will use an iPad w/iPeng to control the setup. I have the following questions:
1) Will connections pass 24/96 and/or 24/192 signals
(Squeezebox specs currently say 24/96, but I can always hope for a firmware upgrade)?
2) Do you know of a DAC that will take a digital signal
(optical or coax) and convert high-resolution formats that is priced in the same realm as
the HRT Music Streamer+?
Currently my system is all Linn circa 2000: Majik, Genki,
Keilidh. I would think once this is up and running the Genki will be eliminated and the
electronics would then be the Squeezebox, Majik and (hopefully) a DAC. I also have a Rega
P3-24 turntable that I am loathe to give up.
I really think a computer, mobile, wireless audio and video
page should be part of the SoundStage! Network. Keep up the great work!
Regards,
Chris Benten
Good suggestion! We’re getting a lot of feedback
about computer-based audio. Now, your questions: If the specifications say 24/96, assume
that’s all you’re going to get. There’s no guarantee a firmware upgrade
will give you 24/192. The hardware might not be able to handle it. Offhand, I can’t
recommend a converter that will meet your needs, but I’m pretty sure there’s
something out there that will do it. What you’re asking for is not unique. My
suggestion is to not just limit your shopping to products designed for the home. Many
products designed for pro audio (i.e., studios, home recording, etc.) are versatile
and inexpensive. . . . Doug Schneider
Transporter still viable?
April 10, 2010
To Doug Schneider,
I read your
review of the Slim
Devices Transporter recently. Although the review is a few years old, is the
Transporter still a viable option (I can buy it new for $999.85 at a local dealer) or
should I consider something else? It seems that there are AVRs that can pretty much do the
same thing and have a better DAC such as 32-bit Burr-Browns. I've looked at Denon and
Onkyo AVRs. Any advice you have to give me would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Tedd
It's been more than three years since I reviewed the
Transporter that, at the time, was made by Slim Devices. Shortly after, Logitech bought
Slim Devices. Despite its age, I still think very highly of the original Transporter,
likely because it was a product that was ahead of its time when it was released. The
Transporter's performance, even by today's standards, is outstanding, and I love how
intuitive its user interface is. Therefore, I can certainly still recommend it,
particularly for the price you can buy it for. . . . Doug Schneider
Power hungry!
April 5, 2010
To Doug Schneider,
I have a quick question for you regarding your review of
the
Revel
Ultima Salon2 speakers. I am getting a pair of Salon2s and need to determine what amp
to get. I have read that I need more than 400Wpc in some articles, and then I find that
you powered these adequately with 100 to 175Wpc, but you recommend 250-300Wpc.
Would you please let me know how important this really is?
I am thinking of getting a 300Wpc Levinson No.532H to run these with, but even the
technical support guy at Revel in Indiana told me I need 550Wpc to 600Wpc into 6 ohms.
Thanks for any suggestions you can offer. I enjoyed your
article, by the way!
Best regards,
Dave Olson
Ample power is important if you want them to play really
loud. For every 3dB increase in volume, you need a doubling of amplifier power. So if
you’re using a 100Wpc amp and it’s close to its limit and you want to increase
the volume by 3dB, you’re going to have to move to a 200Wpc amp. For another 3dB,
you’ll need 400Wpc. It’s not hard to see how the numbers add up.
I found 150Wpc sufficient for my listening tastes, but I
recommended 250-300Wpc for the additional headroom it provides. Certainly, 500-600Wpc
would provide even more, but I’d never personally use that much. By the way,
congratulations on the speakers -- they are amazing! . . . Doug Schneider
Classé question
April 3, 2010
To Doug Schneider,
Thank you for the great review of the
Classé
Audio CAP-2100 integrated amplifier. I love the styling and touchscreen of this amp;
for me, it still offers a refreshing change from the boxy look of most other models. But
I’m not sure how well it would perform with my Aerial Acoustics Model 6 speakers,
which have a sensitivity of 86dB and require 50 to 250W. Even at moderate volume levels,
do you think the Model 6 would benefit from more power than the CAP-2100 offers?
As attractive as the Classé is, I don’t want to
sacrifice sound quality for aesthetics. There are lots of other integrated amplifiers to
choose from.
Sincerely,
Mark
The answer will depend largely on the size of your room
and how loud you like your music. The speakers must play louder to energize a larger space
than a smaller one, and for each 3dB increase in volume level you require a doubling of
amplifier power. Therefore, it's pretty easy to see why someone might need an amp that can
put out 200Wpc versus 100Wpc, which is what the CAP-2100 delivers. That said, given what I
know about your speakers (not much, I'm mostly going from the specifications you
provided), you might be fine with this amplifier if you keep your listening levels
moderate and your room is not too large, and, also, you don't want the effortless quality
that much more powerful amplifiers can provide, even when they're not pushed to their
limits. For example, the 200Wpc Classé CA-5200 power amplifier I used sounds less
strained than the CAP-2100, even at low listening levels where they're probably only
delivering a few watts of power. Sorry I can't be more definite in my response, but
I’m hopeful the information I’ve provided can lead you to a proper decision, or
at least gave you some things to think about. . . . Doug Schneider
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