Magic, O!

We gathered that our local Magico dealer, Audio Image, had delivered a few pairs of Magico Q3 and Q5 so far. We were very interested to listen to a Magico Q3 or Q5 based system, and as luck would have it, we received an invitation from a new Q5 owner, whom we shall refer to as ST, to have a listen to his system. What a pleasant surprise! It is not common that a highend audiophile opens his door to strangers like us, so we are very grateful for ST's generosity.

And so it was, a few of us descended on ST's bungalow on a Saturday afternoon. After the introduction, we were promptly led up a few flights of stairs into his listening room. ST appreciates the finer things in life, he told us that in addition to excellent sound quality, he also wanted his hifi system and his hifi room to look good, as after a long hard day, when he comes into the room to wind down and relax, he wants to enjoy not just glorious music but also beautiful sight, as such the equipment and the room deco must be pleasant too. Well, after my time in ST's listening room, I am certain he has achieved what he wanted on both counts - hifi and eye-fi.

I'll let this series of photos do the talking:

The system view.
Due to the number of equipment in the system, ST has positioned them in two layers. The front layer, which you can see in this shot, consists of the frontends and pre-amp. The second layer behind, hidden from view, consists of the monoblocks and power conditioner.
The room was designed and constructed by Centre Circle Audio. It has a nice and warm ambiance. It is acoustically treated with wood panels and Auralex's acoustic treatment material, both nicely incorporated into the design itself. In the photo above, the wood panel behind the loudspeakers with its uneven surface acts as a nice acoustic diffuser. Auralex bass traps are installed at the corners, together with Auralex sound absorbing foams at the sides of the loudspeakers (the burgundy coloured material).

A wood panel acting as diffuser is installed on the ceiling. If you look closer, you'd notice that each square in the panel has different depth, following the quadratic residue sequence approach used in many sound diffuser products.

The digital frontend is a Simaudio MOON Andromeda top loading CD player with separate power supply (not shown)

The analog frontend is a Clearaudio Innovation turntable...

...with a Clearaudio Universal tonearm and a Transfiguration Orpheus MC cartridge...
...and Simaudio MOON 310LP Phono Amp & 320S Power Supply
The pre-amp is the 2-piece Simaudio MOON 850P, the top dog in Simaudio's line-up

The monoblocks are the best that Simaudio offers - the MOON 880M, which give out 800w per channel into 8ohm, double into 4ohm.
Doing powerline conditioning and protection duty is a Shunyata Triton, seen above at the centre of the shot, flanked by the 2 monoblocks.
At the end of the chain is the majestic Magico Q5, 176kg/387lbs of aluminium chassis and more

To match his top notch equipment, ST does not skimp on cables. He uses mainly JPS Aluminata. Seen here are the Aluminata powercord, interconnect and speaker cable which go in and out of the Simaudio MOON 880M monoblock.
Other than JPS Aluminata, there are a couple of Shunyata powercords, the Python Helix and Anaconda Helix, which you can spot in the monoblock-powerline conditioner photo before (the ones with green and red plugs)
The JPS Aluminata speaker cable that goes into the Magico Q5

ST also uses hifi accessories to fine tune the sound. Here we see the Harmonix Tuning Spike Base under the Magico Q5. In fact, ST is so big with Harmonix Tuning Spike Base that he has 12 sets in his system, installed under almost every piece of his equipment

ASI's resonators are used to tweak the acoustic property of the room. This one is placed at the top corners of the room

More resonators from ASI. These are installed at the centre of the front wall

The more eagle-eyed among you would notice that ST prefers to stick to the same brands for his equipment - almost all his electronics are from Simaudio, and almost all his cables are from JPS. He told us that he preferred such an approach because he could be confident that there would be no mismatch issue with equipment coming from the same brand. I cannot fault such a philosophy, it will indeed take away much guesswork when putting together a system.

After just a short listening, I loved the tonal beauty of this system already, which I recognized as a beguiling quality common to the Magico line. I heard the same beautiful tonal colour from other Magico models, such as the V2 and V3, in the local dealer's showroom too. Just that the Magico Q5 in this system conveyed this quality more clearly and more prominently than the dealer's system. The system also sounded dynamic, fast and detailed. Both ends of the frequency spectrum were very extended. Bass featured prominently in the mix, it brought much exceitement to the listening experience though it could be just a bit overwhelming at times. The overall sound was not the thin and analytical kind, instead it had excellent body, a nice bloom and sounding simply musical. The sound was also non-fatiguing for long hours of listening.

Listening to this system is a joy. ST, thank you for your hospitality, we had a truly memorable weekend.

Wedging Wall. Auralex Studiofoam Wedges.

After listening to my system, a senior audiophile of "sifu" status told me that I should consider re-doing rear wall treatment, consisting of commercial acoustic foam panels and Auralex MetroFusor diffusor panels. His comment was that my back wall didn't seem to disappear enough, i.e. there's still some 2nd or 3rd deflection points, reducing the imaging stability("tein wai" in Cantonese speak) of my sound stage!

He reckons that I should just get rid of all my diffuser panels and just use Auralex Studiofoam Wedges all over instead. I headed to Centre Circle Audio the very next day and came home with 2 pieces of 2 x 4 ft Studiofoam Wedges. I went straight ahead and ripped out all my previous panels in the rear wall and proceeded to trial the Auralex Wedges panels. I stuck them to my rear wall with temporary mounting tapes and had the 2 x 4 ft panels on the horizontal side by side, to form a 2 x 8 ft black panel right behind my listening throne(sofa).


Auralex Studiofoam Wedges.


I proceeded to play some music and noted a much more silent, blacker back ground within the sound stage. However, I also noted that my high frequencies were rolled off a whole lot more than I liked too, seemingly absorbed by the Wedges. Music was lifeless, dull and boring! I guess I had overdone the Wedges panels.

Next I used only one piece of the 2 x 4 ft Wedges panel, I stuck it right in the middle of the wall, right behind the listening throne, where my head would be if I were seated, then proceeded to introduced back the Auralex MetroFusor diffusor panels measuring 2 x 2 ft  at both ends of the Wedges panel. See picture below for the final configuration.



My final back wall treatment configuration Auralex MetroFusor-Auralex Studiofoam Wedges-Auralex MetroFusor.

 I proceeded to play music again, and this time it's bliss! I managed to get the silent, black back ground for stronger imaging properties within the sound stage, and yet, did not have to suffer much rolled off high frequencies. A bonus was that because of the improved staging stability, I could also perceive deeper in to the layers of the sound stage, something of a weakness in my system previously. I did not lose any musicality, or rhythm and pace as experience just before. I listened for a few more days, and well convinced about the improvements I heard with various recordings, I applied the wall adhesives to the Auralex panels and made this my permanent back wall treatment. By the way, in case you're wondering, a piece of 2 x 4 ft Auralex Studiofoam Wedges cost RM$190.00, small money for great results(for me at least)!

In case you're wondering if you should do the same, I can only say that you should at least give it a try!

Auralex Acoustics is sold by Centre Circle Audio, contact Sky, or Nelson at 03-77282686.

Auralex Room Tune Packages By Acoustic Inovations.

Acoustic Innovations are associates of Centre Circle Audio. They offer room tune consulting, design and building(if required) services. They are also the local representatives of Auralex room tuning products.

As most experienced audiophiles would readily acknowledge that the room your hifi resides in, is the single most important factor in achieving great sonic results. However, most will nearly not have a clue as to where to even start with acoustic treatments. Every one says start by clapping your hands as you walk around your room. Done that, then what?

Do you think you have a problem?

If your answer is YES, you call Acoustic Innovations of course!

Check out their various packages starting from the basic and affordable to very comprehensive, and lastly, if required, custom design and build projects.

Contact Nelson at 012-2876807 for a solution in room tune package.

KLIAV 2010 - Centre Circle Audio

Centre Circle Audio will be showcasing flagship models from the major product lines they represent.

The hifi centrepiece will consist of the Pathos Endorphin CD player as the frontend,

with Halo JC2 Pre-amp and the imposing JC1 monoblocks from Parasound providing the power,


and the latest incarnation of the renowned Andra model, the Andra III, from EgglestonWorks completing the chain.

Cleaning up the juice to feed the system will be the Titan power conditioner from Isotek.


Rounding out this stellar cast will be powercords from JPS and audio cables from Purist Audio Design.

Centre Circle Audio will also be displaying acoustic treatment products from Auralex. If you have a problematic room, you should check them out.

Aural Realm, Auralex MetroFusor Diffuser Panels.

Auralex MetroFusor diffuser panel. Moulded from humble foam!

Did you know that, in room treatment, other than the first reflection points at both the side walls next to the speakers, the back wall to the throne is next most effective area to apply treatment?

There are 2 ways to treat the back wall. Some say the back wall to throne a.k.a. "sweet spot" should be total absorption.

My previously installed full absorption back wall treatment from the throne.

Some time ago, I started to treat my back wall to the throne, by having 3 absorption panels lined the back wall. The idea was that there is less back wall sound reflection, which can effect the imaging focus quality within the perceived sound stage. Once I did that, I could hear more focused imaging quality, less high mid sibilants and an overall quieter musical noise floor. Listening to my hifi system became more rewarding sonically and less distracting, leading to a more enjoy able aural experience.

Lately, I have heard another group proposing to use a combo of absorption and diffuser treatment for the back wall to the throne. The argument is that the combo treatment will yield a more "live" like hall/studio acoustic environment. There is more airiness to the sound stage, so to speak.

Armed with this latest thinking, I asked Sky Wong of Centre Circle Audio to loan me 2 pcs of 2 x 2ft foam diffuser panels called MetroFusor Diffuser, manufactured by Auralex. They have some fancier diffuser designs fashioned out of wood squares called SpaceArray, but those proved too costly for my measly budget.

The 2 side absorption panels replaced by the Auralex MetroFusor foam panels for initial sound trials.

I went home, and immediately started work on the back wall. I pulled down 2 side mounted absorption panels of the existing treatment leaving only the middle absorption panel on the wall. I then proceeded to stick on the Auralex MetroFusor diffuser panels to replace both the side panels. The Auralex panels are very light weight and easy to work with.

I then proceeded to play some music and I noticed some improvement to the perception of sound staging depth. with the deeper, airier sound stage, the images of vocalist and instrument gained an aura of air around them, making each instrument behind the vocalist, that very bit more realistic. With CDs that are well recorded with hall ambiance, like the ever green Harry Belafonte, Live at Carnegie Hall, I noticed the biggest sonic pay off. Hall reverbs are now un-truncated and hand claps in between the songs seems more "alive" and the whole experience of listening to the CD is more 3D projected than before. It seems that bit of reverb sound deflected off the diffuser panels just behind our ears, can contribute so much to a more realistic concert like aural experience.

Encouraged by the Auralex experiment, I then think that, what if I could do another DIY diffuser(like my earlier shoe rack project on the speaker's back wall which turned out pretty well), say like hanging some DIY CD racks on the back wall, where both the current diffuser panels now reside, as I could use some extra CD storage space too. As some may say anything that is not a flat surface can be used as a diffuser panel. I went to Jusco Department store and found a DIY assembly required wooden CD rack, about the size of the diffuser panels. I bought 2 sets for about RM$30 each. I carefully assembled the two CD racks with the help of my little girls. DIY audio can help to unite the family too, who knows?

The cheaper, but less sonically effective alternative, DIY CD racks(the black ones on both sides the absorption panel), available from Jusco Departmental Stores.

Once assembly is completed, I proceeded to replace both the Auralex diffuser panels with the CD racks. I then proceeded to play the same Harry Belafonte CD again. This time I have found the hall ambiance of Carnegie Hall to have suffered and sounding slightly compressed instead. Having said that, some diffusion is still some what better than all absorption only. I also found some of that high mid sibilants resurfacing again, even though just barely. The CD racks are more practical, as they can hold another 50 pcs of CDs or so, but for me sonically and aurally, they just didn't do enough. At least, not after hearing what the "real deal", purpose designed Auralex MetroFusor diffuser panels are capable of anyway.

The Auralex panels went back on to the back wall of the throne. For permanent installation, I sprayed the Auralex panels with matching grey coloured spray paint, to suit the over all peach/grey paint scheme of my listening room.

Note: For those intending to spray paint their foam panels after reading this. You need to know that spray paints contain solvents, which can melt the foam panels, if paint is applied excessively at once. It is also very important to do the spray work out doors, if possible. Other wise, do so in a well ventilated place, for health reasons, wear a face mask. When spraying, first apply as thin a coat as evenly as possible. Then wait for the painted panel to cure, about 20-30 minutes is all it needs on a sunny day. Repeat this two steps several times, i.e. apply several thin coats, each time allowing the panel to cure before proceeding with the next coat. If you observed the above spray painting instruction, you should have a very uniform coating of any colour you choose, with very professional looking results.

The finished project, in matching grey paint scheme!

Retailing at RM$110.00 per panel, these Auralex MetroFusor diffuser panels are a bargain, if used correctly to achieve great aural results. Needless to say, I bought the review samples, and are now a permanent part of my room treatment system.

Auralex acoustic treatment products is sold by Centre Circle Audio, contact Sky Wong, Tel: 03 77282686