Martin Logan in the house!

**Sonnie** · **10-31-07, 12:04 PM**

Welp... I finally did it!

I have always wanted to try Martin Logan's in our home theater and have put it off for years, mainly because I never could afford them and/or never ran across any really good deals on used ML's.

I ran across a pair of Ascent i's for what believe is a good deal, so I pulled the trigger and they are on the way.

Of course now I have to find a suitable ML center and something for surrounds... as well as the Denon 2807 probably ain't gonna do the trick amplifier wise.

I'm probably going to be looking for a used Cinema i and I'm not sure about the surrounds yet. I've found some used Scripts, but need to consider all my options. If anyone sees something floating around somewhere, please let me know asap.

I've also found a couple of good used amps:

Parasound HCA-2205a - 220wpc/8ohm 300wpc/4ohm (Asking $1275)
Parasound HCA-1206 - 135wpc/8ohm 200wpc/4ohm (Asking $800)
Sunfire Cinema Grand 5 - 200wpc/8ohm (Asking $1000)
Rotel RMB1075 - 120wpc/8ohm 200wpc/4ohm (Asking $775)

The Ascent i's are 4ohm speakers, as are most ML's. So any of the above would work.

Any other recommendations?

**toecheese** · **10-31-07, 01:49 PM**

Lucky! Those are on my list of must-haves too.

**JCD** · **10-31-07, 04:02 PM**

Man.. you da Man!

I didn't know that you needed an amp for the ML's. For some reason, I thought they were built in. Since they're obviously not, why don't you think the Denon can drive them?

A very jealous,
JCD

**cjwhitehouse** · **10-31-07, 04:17 PM**

Congratulations! ML's really like amplifiers that can shrug off really low impedances (1 ohm or so around 20kHz). Many amplifiers just don't sound happy with them. I have Prodigy/Logos/Sequel II's driven by Krell. Once experienced, nothing else seems real.

**Sonnie** · **10-31-07, 06:00 PM**

Yeah... I've read quite a big on amps and it seems the lower end receivers are not favorable for ML's.

However... maybe I should try. The Denon is 110wpc/8ohms... 140wpc/6ohms and dynamic power is 170wpc/4ohms. With the Ascents i's crossed over at 80Hz, it may surprise me.

ML does make a powered speaker, I believe it's the Purity. Supposedly a MP3 player, TV, computer, whatever... can be plugged into it with nothing else.

**brent_s** · **10-31-07, 09:41 PM**

Don't overlook some of the big block Adcoms while you're shopping. Should be deals to be found. I don't know if the M-Ls would have a complimentary voicing, but I'd rate the Adcom sound to be neutral, possibly bordering on analytical, to me accurate is a good word...at least compared to the Rotel I was A/B comparing on some B&W towers way back when.

I wouldn't walk past a deal on Outlaw, ATI, or even the past two Sherwood-Newcastle multi-channel amps either.

JCD, M-Ls being electrostatics do require a "bias" current, thus requiring them to be plugged in to function. A casual glance at some Martin-Logans in a listenting room would probably lead one to believe they were internally amplified.

-Brent

**Sonnie** · **11-01-07, 12:25 AM**

You know... I use to be a huge Adcom fan. I had their monoblocks for a long time way back when. I can get a 7605 125wpc/8ohms 175wpc/4ohms for a good price. That is definitely one to consider.

There are several good deals on ATI1505's, but the Outlaws are short. The ATI is one I've always admired. Back when I purchased my Earthquake Cinenova Grande 5, I considered the ATI2505.

**kurt** · **11-01-07, 10:52 AM**

I had the NAD master series M25 driving my summits. It sounded ok but even at 160 watts/channel it didn't power it properly.

I would suggest getting as much power as possible. Most Martin Logan owners that I know run Krell or something with a low distortion. Logans are capable of producing such clear mids and highs why not get something that shows that off a little.

I ended up switching up to the Krell 402 amplifier. 400 watts/channel It was like night and day. Instead of sounding like my speakers were yelling at me with the NAD more power made them sing to me and have proper control and sweetness.

I had a whole 5 channel martin logan setup at first but got rid of it for a 2 channel logan setup. I mainly listen to music rather than movies and it just sounded better with 2 channels.

**thxgoon** · **11-01-07, 03:07 PM**

Wow Sonnie you lucky dog! I heard some electrostatic speakers (can't remember the brand) years ago run off of a Denon 3200 and they sounded great. ML's though I believe have a fairly non linear impedance and draw a fair amount of current through the mid range. The sunfire might not be a bad way to go as it has two different outputs, so you could play with the sound a bit. Otherwise as a happy Parasound owner... you would not be sorry. Congrats! I guess this means no Klipsch?

**Exocer** · **11-01-07, 03:18 PM**

Congratulations on the speakers!

When they arrive I would love to hear about how they sound.

Are you crossing them over at 80hz to help minimize impedance concerns with your receiver?

**Sonnie** · **11-01-07, 04:23 PM**

Quote:

kurt wrote:

I would suggest getting as much power as possible. Most Martin Logan owners that I know run Krell or something with a low distortion. Logans are capable of producing such clear mids and highs why not get something that shows that off a little.

I think I have an ATI 1505 worked out already with a guy... waiting to hear back from him, but did make a commitment with a condition. This unit is still under transferable warranty. It does 250wpc at 4ohm, so the Ascent i's should fair well with it.

Quote:

thxgoon wrote:

Congrats! I guess this means no Klipsch?

Thanks! ... and that is correct... no room for Klipsch. I wanted to go Klipsch, but I just couldn't seem to nail down a really good deal on them, although at full retail they are probably still a good deal. I've been keeping my eye on Audiogon for a deal on some ML's for a while now and the opportunity just happened at the right time. I've always wanted ML's... I'm definitely feeling lucky.

Quote:

Exocer wrote:

Congratulations on the speakers!

When they arrive I would love to hear about how they sound.

Are you crossing them over at 80hz to help minimize impedance concerns with your receiver?

Thanks again! No doubt I'll give a user review after a few days with the setup.

Crossover will be at 80Hz even with the amp, which I'm already pretty much sold on getting, just to make sure there are no issues with proper power to the ML's.

I believe I have scored a demo Cinema i at a dealer for the center, as well as a pair Fresco's for the surrounds. Hopefully it will all work out.

**Scuba Diver** · **11-01-07, 08:10 PM**

You are a lucky guy. Not only are those some of the coolest looking speakers I have seen they also sound amazing. So how much did you actually pick these up for? Do they sound as good in you home as you hoped they would?

**mike c** · **11-01-07, 10:06 PM**

wow! those would be my dream speakers as well ... I just don't have the space for them.
wish they had bookshelf ESL's that look like mini floorstanders

pictures! pictures!

**Sonnie** · **11-02-07, 01:05 AM**

These generally go for around $2000 used... they retailed new for around $4300-4500. These are one-owner lightly used, only a couple of years old.

There is pair on Audiogon for $3000... and another pair for about $2000, and maybe some Ascents (not i's) that are older for less.

You can actually get ML Source's for around $2000 new, probably discounted if you shop around a little. They have several other newer models for around $1000-1200 now.

I missed the ATI1505... the guy wants money order or check and I'm just not into that with someone I don't know. PayPal or Visa protects me... check or money order does not. I did find another one for less money without original box, but haven't heard back from the seller yet.

**titch--** · **11-02-07, 07:23 PM**

I heard that Kevin Haskins (DIYCable) Exodus Audio amps work really good with electrostatic speakers.

**Sonnie** · **11-03-07, 01:33 AM**

Those are a good bit out of my price range, unless of course I could find a used one for $7-800.

**SierraMikeBravo** · **11-03-07, 01:56 AM**

Hey Sonnie!

Congrats on the ML's! I used to own the Logos and Aerius i's! Loved'em! Matter of fact, I got to tour the Martin Logan factory here in Lawrence this past February. The showed me how they make all of the electro static panels. It would amaze you at how simplistic it really is. I was thinking I could make those in my garage! The guy who started the company learned everything right from the good 'ole Spar Engineering library ot the Univeristy of Kansas. I've perused some of the books he used as I spend a lot of time in that library. Hope you enjoy them!

**Sonnie** · **11-03-07, 08:12 AM**

Thanks Shawn... that sounds like an interesting tour.

**jerome** · **11-04-07, 04:11 AM**

Congratulation with your new speakers !

I have a pair of Vista and really like the sound and imaging Martin Logan speakers produce.
For your center, you could have a look at Swans. The F1.1C or even better the monster F2.3C match the ML very well.
Many people here in Norway like to use tube amplifiers on ML. That's worth a try ...

**Sonnie** · **11-04-07, 09:42 AM**

Thanks Jerome and welcome to the Shack!

I know there a lot of "ecstatic" Vista owners out there...

I've actually went ahead and committed to buying the Motif center.

I've never owned any tube amps in the past, but I may consider one if I can find one at a reasonable price

... and use it for two-channel listening, which is something I've not really done in years (lotsa years).

**11-04-07, 06:17 PM**

I tried a new ATI 1505 about 7 years ago and found that it clipped at theater volumes when driving my ML reQuests, Logos, and Scripts. I went with the Sunfire Cinema Grand and have never had clipping.

John

**F1 fan** · **11-04-07, 07:29 PM**

Congrats on the ML's I bet they will sound sweet.

**Sonnie** · **11-05-07, 12:32 AM**

Thanks Fred... I'm gonna sure give them a shot at sounding good.

Hi John and welcome to the Shack! I think I'm going to end up with an Anthem MCA-50, which seems to have plenty of power to do the job. It's much more robust than the ATI. I somewhat wish I'd never sold my Sunfire amp... it was one of my favorites.

**Kruppy** · **11-05-07, 02:58 PM**

Congrats on your new purchases Sonnie,
I love the Ascent industrial design and would like to eventually upgrade (but I need a sub first). If you haven’t owned ESL speakers before be very patient with them. Minor location changes can make a huge difference to sound stage/imaging/bass response (You probably know this already).

I currently own ML SL3s and a Cinema. Speaking of Adcom, I’m driving the SL3s with an Adcom GFA-5800 (Nelson Pass design) and the Cinema with an Adcom GFA-5503. I’m pretty happy with the 5800 right now (and really can’t afford to upgrade).

Once you get your Motif you’ll have to post your thoughts. There are a number of people out there wondering about its performance.

**Sonnie** · **11-05-07, 03:06 PM**

Thanks Bob!

I almost purchased a pair of SL3's before I found the deal on the Ascent i's.

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