Happy Easter. This is a follow up tp my previous posts #77&78. Combined with the 48 hr factory burn in, I now have 110 hrs on the M1200’s. Listening again to some of the same music as earlier, and also some different music. Everything is moving in the right direction, and seemingly at breakneck speed! Here are my observations.
-Eva Cassidy’s “Wade in the Water” has an even bigger jump factor, and without the edge and sharpness that it can sometimes have. This is a very hot recording and when Eva stretches out and pegs the needle, it can get a bit peaky and edgy on many systems. My current tube mono locks are rated 250 W/Ch and are generally very forgiving, but they still get a bit shouty on Eva’s ffff shouts. Not with the M1200’s. This may be a strong case for why amplifier headroom is so important. Additionally, ambience on her voice is now greater than I heard before. Intoxicating. The balance of the recording (organ, trumpet) are more pleasing. Track 3, Johnny Mercer’s “Autumn Leaves” is so hauntingly tactile that it’s spooky. Eva’s guitar and the piano sound as if they were in the room. I clapped after the track ended. I rarely do that. Track 3, “Wayfaring Stranger” has such true and correct sounding cymbal work on its Bell that it could not sound more real if one were standing next to it. My bottom line on this recording, is that previously, I sometimes felt it was a bit clipped and a little too hot. I was wrong. It is a hot recording, but now sounds so doggone live that I have to admire the recording and mixing and mastering beyond reproach. And also admire the the M1200’s for being able to deliver it. Overall, besides all the classic descriptors for excellent high end audio reproduction, after what these amps have done with this Eva Cassidy recording, I just can say that any crescendo (and there are many) all sound so natural, so very dynamic, but without and peakiness or strain. If you want to hear what these amps can do to handle peaks and dynamics, check this disc out. This is exactly what reviewers mean when they say the equipment gets out of the way and just lets the music through. Effortless. Eva Cassidy (33 yr old, RIP). “Songbird”.
-David Axelrod (RIP). “Holy Thursday” This is full blown orchestral movie score type music . Massed strings, horns, old school drum kit, electric guitar, electric bass, vibraphone. Old recording, but so emotive. Another beta tester commented on the quality of vibraphone attacks and harmonics. Ditto. Vibes are hard to record and reproduce. Nailed it in spades. Goosebumps.
-480 East(Canadian electro groove jazz) “Closer”. Sounds as if you are in the studio, at the mixing desk. Deep groove. Tactile. Live. The guitar fingering, keyboard touches, and the sax air are totally mesmerizing, so lyrical, so emotive. Pulls you into a head bobbing groove. Makes me want to move to the music, more than I’ve previously felt. Great flow. Great pace. I’m still wondering if I will have a critical word for the M1200’s. Doubtful.
-Underworld “SoloSistim”. This track has a relentless and mesmerizing ascending and descending underlying keyboard chord, punctuated with deep keyboard subterranean and artificially textured bass, and a strong snare/high hat/kick drum driving beat. Think incense filled room with the possibility of a heroin overdose later in the evening. Simple track, but the Fairlight, or Oberheim, or Sequential Circuits Prophet (or whatever their analog polyphonic keyboard monster is) is a harmonic grabber that makes this tune ear candy. The filtered stoner vocal has never sounded clearer or more emotive than what I now hear. The off channel whispers are now much in the mix, adding to the sinister feel of the entire recording. So good, I listened to it 5 times in a row. My eyes burn naked. ‘Nuff said.
-Bjork “All Neon Like”. One of my favorite Bjork tracks. Subterranean bass. Ethereal keyboards. Her soaring range and seductive phrasing is intoxicating. With the M1200’s, it’s the cleanest, most open, most engaging I’ve ever heard.
Also, repeating a theme that other beta testers have noted, the total listening engagement factor is significantly greater. At the risk of making cliched statements, I’m now hearing things that were not previously as obvious in my existing rig. More detail, and in a way that brings me closer not only to the overall musical composition, but also closer to the musicians themselves and their requisite musicianship. Makes it more intimate. More emotionally connected.
Some of this inner detail occupies a very specific place in the soundstage which has the effect of both broadening and deepening what was already an excellent soundstage in my system. This effect is quite noticeable and definitely adds to the dimensional information contained within the performance. My current rig already supports 5 wide seating positions, with 3 of them worthy of an A rating. The M1200’s now bump these 3 seats to an A+ rating.
Another observation is that when I stream my Bluesound 2i via its hardwired Ethernet connection, the music now seems equal (or better?) than CD firmware playback. Never before would I have said that. It definitely has more nuances and inner detail than before. Big bottom. Imaging and soundstage are mesmerizing. Current streaming source is Soma FM “Lush” channel. Not even Qobuz, or Tidal.
One last thing, as I have rambled on quite enough for now. In my experience, one of the odd, if not as directly relevant to sitting in the sweet spot(s), is to leave the listening room and listen from another room in the house. If the music still sounds live and is still creating a “you are there/they are here” illusion, then that says something about the tonal accuracy and certainly the dynamic performance of the system. Program material containing the human voice is particularly telling. Since inserting the M1200’s into the system, this effect has become more noticeable, if not a bit spooky. Which now reminds me to spin a 1968 Dennis Yost Classics IV tune! Can’t wait to hear those vocals and that great Mike Sharpe (Shapiro) tenor sax solo on the M1200’s!
I think this will be my final post. I do not know what else I could possibly say, although I am now going to listen to some classical music and do wonder what I may discover. I would be interested to hear feedback on classical music from other beta testers. I will keep reading this forum’s postings to stay informed.
It is hard for me to imagine that these M1200’s can get any better beyond these 110 hours. I’m hooked. If they do get better, I’ll be double hooked. I’ll be interested if other beta testers have similar reactions. Thanks for reading, and I’m happy to answer and questions.
