Audio art cafe

[curiousgeorgenz]

For those like me who haven't ventured to Hamilton to check out Audio Art Cafe, here are some pictures as featured on the pages of 6moons.com.

 

http://www.sixmoons.com/industryfeatures/audioartcafe/audioartcafe.html

 

http://www.sixmoons.com/industryfeatures/munich09/5.html

 

Check out the Magico Mini II on display.

[aarond1553552714]

Wow, I really must NOT visit this place!

 

The Magico Mini look to die for. I want. I need. I'm never going to have.

[nixon76]

I think it is in the Stereophile review where they (the Magico's) are described as difficult/strange to drive. Talking to the guys down in Ham about the them seemed to support that. After trying several amps (high end SS and even tube!) it was a low end Usher amp which had them under control (and with great results apparently). Interesting stuff....

[Ernie1553552694]

Sell the house for a set of Magicos and pawn your dog for an amp. Hmm, I'll go look for the dog first...

[curiousgeorgenz]

 

nixon76;93412 wrote:

After trying several amps (high end SS and even tube!) it was a low end Usher

amp

which had them under control (and with great results apparently).

 

Is the Usher amp a knock off of an old Threshold design?

[nixon76]

 

Ernie;93419 wrote:

Sell the house for a set of Magicos and pawn your dog for an amp. Hmm, I'll go look for the dog first...

 

LOL!!

 

 

curious_george;93429 wrote:

Is the Usher amp a knock off of an old Threshold design?

 

Wouldn't know and couldn't tell ya I'm afraid :confused:

[Flameboy1553552731]

They must a spent a fortune on that place. Then look at the stock. Well done! I haven't seen a better setup in NZ. And it's in the Tron no less.

[Crozzy]

Wow..... after looking at the pics.... just slowly dribbling out of both sides (indicates I am still level headed)....

 

Will have to face Hamilton now instead of Mecca..... and make the prilgramge at some time...

[Robocop]

Certainly is impressive by NZ standards, great idea to combine art, coffee and Hi-Fi.

How this will function in the wider world of commerce here is another story.

With what are relatively unknown brands unless you are a hardcore enthusiast, and the way consumers now operate they certainly are putting their money on the line.

But they do import the products which gives them a buffer and more leeway to competitively price products.

There must still be top end purchasers here especially amongst new immigrants.

But we still have to compete with US retail as these same purchasers will import product after listening in your showroom and taking up time.

Certainly have nothing like this in Auckland or ever have. We live in hope.

[bluedog]

Went a couple of weeks ago with some audiofile mates we all came out less than impressed, why would anyone design a hi fi room with a plate glass end wall? The bass in the hi end room sounded dreadfull IMO actually in all our opinions.

[Electra]

 

aarond;93411 wrote:

Wow, I really must NOT visit this place!

 

 

 

The Magico Mini look to die for. I want. I need. I'm never going to have.

 

Their not, imho.. In fact, I made some rather disparaging comments regarding their squat tubby appearance when I was talking to Terry oneday, so he gave me a bit of time listening to them on a pair of 1Kw Bel Canto mono fed by BC source and preamp.

 

Not that flash to be honest. I cant see that their worth $10K, let alone their RRP! I would far rather a pair of mini Utopias, or even better, a pair of LCR utopias... Standmounts with a 10" w cone driver in them...

 

Dont however take this as a knock of audio art cafe, as I think they have done a great job, in general.

[Ernie1553552694]

 

bluedog;93456 wrote:

Went a couple of weeks ago with some audiofile mates we all came out less than impressed, why would anyone design a hi fi room with a plate glass end wall? The bass in the hi end room sounded dreadfull IMO

actually in all our opinions.

 

Probably a useful comment to make to the owner. One, I'm sure he'd appreciate.

 

I'm sure there are reasons though, like visibility in a retail context...

 

If you asked nicely, Terry probably would have demonstrated the room correction gear from Lyngdorf. The glass would not have been an issue then.

[Electra]

 

Ernie;93461 wrote:

Probably a useful comment to make to the owner. One, I'm sure he'd appreciate.

 

 

 

I'm sure there are reasons though, like visibility in a retail context...

 

 

 

If you asked nicely, Terry probably would have demonstrated the room correction gear from Lyngdorf. The glass would not have been an issue then.

 

 

I am pretty sure that when I was there he pulled some heavy curtains over the doors... Which would sort that issue fairly well.

[Ernie1553552694]

Well, I guess it pays to engage the owner in some dialogue, even for a look see.

[nixon76]

 

too_tall;93460 wrote:

Their not, imho.. In fact, I made some rather disparaging comments regarding their squat tubby appearance when I was talking to Terry oneday, so he gave me a bit of time listening to them on a pair of 1Kw Bel Canto mono fed by BC source and preamp.

 

I was talking with Shane about the Magico's and he agreed the BC's were not a good match - nor the Primare's. They think the full fat Brinkmanns will be a good match, but didn't have a pair on hand to test the theory.

 

 

too_tall;93460 wrote:

Not that flash to be honest. I cant see that their worth $10K, let alone their RRP! I would far rather a pair of mini Utopias, or even better, a pair of LCR utopias... Standmounts with a 10" w cone driver in them...

 

Fair comment - each to their own. Methink's once a FM Labs fan, always a JM Labs fan? Me? I love the construction of them (I'm a sucker for ply and aluminum). Don't know if I'd like the sound - and frankly it's irrelevant - can't or never will be able to afford them.

 

What's interesting on a price front is that the mini's are more expensive than the v3 floorstanders. Oh, and for the brave, I dare you to check out the price of the Ultimate versions (http://www.pqimports.co.nz/anytime/pdf_files/anytime47e58ea6ea697r131.pdf) :eek:*

 

I think some props are due though for Peter Quilter (PQ Imports) for have the cojones to bring some pairs into the country during this difficult time.

 

* Please don't let this turn into another 'pah it's not worth that much, we're being ripped, etc etc ad nauseam'. Dedicated threads on this pop up every few months for those who wish to vent :rolleyes:

[frequentflyer1553552672]

 

aarond;93411 wrote:

Wow, I really must NOT visit this place!

 

 

 

The Magico Mini look to die for. I want. I need. I'm never going to have.

 

Hi aarond

 

I visited Terrys palacial pad and lusted at the Magicos myself but Terry scared me off a little with what he viewed was the much needed amplification and $$$ spend for these mothers.

 

VEEEEEERY NICE to look at but I might just stick to my Guarneris !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

But no doubting Terrys passion and commitment

 

I wish him all the best

 

FF

[Omegaspeedy]

 

 

* Please don't let this turn into another 'pah it's not worth that much, we're being ripped, etc etc ad nauseam'. Dedicated threads on this pop up every few months for those who wish to vent

 

Glad I read your whole post. I almost started venting.....

 

It's nice to see the profits from my gear and yours Nixon have gone to a good cause. The cafe looks nice and will have to go down for a coffee.

[bluedog]

They did however have some realy nice music for sale ended up buying some after recomendations from Shane.

[Electra]

 

frequentflyer;93470 wrote:

 

VEEEEEERY NICE to look at but I might just stick to my Guarneris !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

FF

 

Honestly, I would much rather look at your speakers than those magicos! And you can get a pair of subs to match up to your sonus fabers to make the full range and still have a lot of dosh left for music!

[Tristar71]

 

too_tall;93498 wrote:

Honestly, I would much rather look at your speakers than those magicos! And you can get a pair of subs to match up to your sonus fabers to make the full range and still have a lot of dosh left for music!

 

Hey TooTall - FF has a MASSIVE sub to go with the SF's. the whise profunda... looks more like a large coffee table than a sub - it's that big. Integrates perfectly and what a sound ooo!

[Robocop]

Interesting comments from guys above.

Most of us will only ever probably buy a coffee and a CD.

The market where these products lie is less than half of one percent of 4 million people most of whom travel and compare prices overseas.

Why you would spend these stratospheric prices is beyond me as quality equipment is available at good pricing but its commercial and doesn't have glossy wood finishes.

Are you after furniture or a great sound?

[ilikecrumpets]

'Knock Knock'

'Who's there?'

'Knocking machine'

'Knocking machine who?'

 

Let's give it a chance guys - it's different, and even if it isn't a success at least the guys have the balls and passion to do something that's patently 5 rungs above anyone else on the audio retail ladder.

 

My 2c

 

Crumpets.

[nixon76]

 

Robocop;93523 wrote:

Interesting comments from guys above.

 

Most of us will only ever probably buy a coffee and a CD.

 

The market where these products lie is less than half of one percent of 4 million people most of whom travel and compare prices overseas.

 

Why you would spend these stratospheric prices is beyond me as quality equipment is available at good pricing but its commercial and doesn't have glossy wood finishes.

 

Are you after furniture or a great sound?

 

You must have a long nose to look down Robocop.

[tkr001]

 

nixon76;93468 wrote:

I think some props are due though for Peter Quilter (PQ Imports) for have the cojones to bring some pairs into the country during this difficult time. :rolleyes:

 

Its Paul Quilter

[frequentflyer1553552672]

 

Robocop;93523 wrote:

Interesting comments from guys above.

 

Most of us will only ever probably buy a coffee and a CD.

 

The market where these products lie is less than half of one percent of 4 million people most of whom travel and compare prices overseas.

 

Why you would spend these stratospheric prices is beyond me as quality equipment is available at good pricing but its commercial and doesn't have glossy wood finishes.

 

Are you after furniture or a great sound?

 

And examples being ?????????

 

FF