View Full Version : Visit To Marcos Towers
I managed to finally visit Marco
First of all both Marco and Del are great hosts we laughed a lot enjoyed good food, wine conversation and music
Marco has, a fabulous system and great selection of music Its clear Marco really loves music and is a proud member of AA (Album Anon)
It was great to hear what the 1210 can do It performance was similar to my VPI Super scout master with rim drive which is high praise and there is still more to come in terms of resolution and dynamics. Really think Marco should get a good Decca his equipment deserves it
One of the highlights for me was how we just vibe of each other and think we both had new albums we wanted to check out
We have both taken different approaches and achieved similar results
One of the interesting observations was that slight changes can make a difference Marco got some new Mark Grant cables with different connectors and we both immediately heard a tightening in the bass and a bit more coherence
For me the biggest surprise was the Tannoy's boy do they rock but also really capable with acoustic music.... sometimes you can have your cake and eat it.
Which different connectors were these?
It may not be known (and may not be necessary) but different phono plugs sometimes have different capacitance and some of the cheaper plugs can ruin an otherwise good wire - not that the standard plugs as used by Mark Grant aren't good...
Just in the mains using Furitech instead of standard connectors
Ps I think this worked well in Marcos system as it is very transparent but on less transparent systems probarly would make little difference
Furutech are prime slurpers IMo - I bet those connectors weren't cheap.
By the way, what was turned off when changing cables and did you go back to the original ones after?
I let Marco let you know about that I had to go back home (usually I would) but the time was more about sharing music and having fun than playing with gear which for both us is the right approach
Absolutely. When I eventually make my way to Marco Towers (or should I say "Chimneys" :)), it'll be more a gear fest to start with :lol:
Hi John,
Nice one, dude. It was a pleasure having you round. Del and I really enjoyed your company - perhaps next time you will stay for the whole weekend and we can show you some of our local 'haunts' and favourite 'eateries & drinkeries' :cool:
Glad you enjoyed the system - it certainly puts a smile on my face when playing my favourite tunes.
Like you say, it's primarily about enjoying music, and we certainly listened to a fair bit... I loved the way you sat there transfixed. We had a few giggles for sure :eyebrows: - but when the music was playing you were totally in your zone! :respect:
For me, the highlight was listening to 'Cycles & Stories' by Surinder Sandhu - what a tight band and such a stunning album, so thanks for bringing that round. I'll be ordering all the rest of his stuff, too!
Yup - a Decca is on my shortlist of future cartridge purchases, as I've always fancied one, and no doubt it will offer a magic all of its own. I think you'll agree though it's amazing what you can get from the stock 103 when properly partnered, and the 103SA just adds that extra finesse which draws you more into the music.
The little Lentek step-up wasn't too shabby either and quite far away from blandsville, eh? ;)
The Furutech connectors really give a big improvement, and transform the Mark Grant mains leads from being exceptionally good for the money to, quite frankly, the best I've ever used.... I'd happily put them up against the most expensive Nordost, Kimber, Siltech, Transparent or Vertex mains leads on the market, at a fraction of their price. Mark will now easily be able to compete in the hi-end with these!
Anyway, great to have you round - I'll make the journey to London next time to hear those awesome OBs! :fingers:
Marco.
Hi John,
Nice one, dude. It was a pleasure having you round. Del and I really enjoyed your company - perhaps next time you will stay for the whole weekend and we can show you some of our local 'haunts' and favourite 'eateries & drinkeries' :cool:
Glad you enjoyed the system - it certainly puts a smile on my face when playing my favourite tunes.
Like you say, it's primarily about enjoying music, and we certainly listened to a fair bit... I loved the way you sat there transfixed. We had a few giggles for sure :eyebrows: - but when the music was playing you were totally in your zone! :respect:
For me, the highlight was listening to 'Cycles & Stories' by Surinder Sandhu - what a tight band and such a stunning album, so thanks for bringing that round. I'll be ordering all the rest of his stuff, too!
Yup - a Decca is on my shortlist of future cartridge purchases, as I've always fancied one, and no doubt it will offer a magic all of its own. I think you'll agree though it's amazing what you can get from the stock 103 when properly partnered, and the 103SA just adds that extra finesse which draws you more into the music.
The little Lentek step-up wasn't too shabby either and quite far away from blandsville, eh? ;)
The Furutech connectors really give a big improvement, and transform the Mark Grant mains leads from being exceptionally good for the money to, quite frankly, the best I've ever used.... I'd happily put them up against the most expensive Nordost, Kimber or Vertex mains leads on the market, at a fraction of their price. Mark will now easily be able to compete in the hi-end with these!
Anyway, great to have you round - I'll make the journey to London next time to hear those awesome OBs! :fingers:
Marco.
Yes Cycles and Stories is a great album I love his first album as well Just the tightest band I ever seen/heard
I tend to really go deeply into the music and found this really natural
Yes the 103 is really great and the 103sa adds more refinement
I guess the other cart is the SPU which is supposed to very special as well but only heard one once in a very strange set up so not able to comment.
The Lentek has bags of potential and not shabby
Yes the Mark Grant cables shows you what the difference of good connnections make, everything really tightened up and as you say great value I am sure it takes on those big high end boys.
Must admit really miss vinyl nothing quite like it. When I have the cash I get Vic to build me a Salvation He keeps on developing it, so god knows how good it be when I get it. Intially I probarly use a 103 and when funds become availble get a Decca
On of the best compliments I say about your system it allows you to go deeper into the music its very dynamic but not tiring and totally understand why you so happy with it
Enjoying the OBs at your volume levels wow they really kick at this level
Del is great by the way a born Teacher Its easy to see why her students love her
Hi John,
Del says thanks for your kind words - she really enjoys her job and wishes that she got into teaching years ago :)
Enjoying the OBs at your volume levels wow they really kick at this level...
At my levels? Haha...you must be thinking of that Rammstein album or the Lenny drum solo track! I'm still scrubbing bits of your guts off of the wall! :lol:
There's no substitute for big speakers, done well, is there matey? ;)
Marco.
A picture of the gorgeous (and extremely sonically effective) Furutech plugs used on my Mark Grant DSP 2.5 mains leads:
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3126/dsp25furutechfi1363fi50.jpg (http://img96.imageshack.us/i/dsp25furutechfi1363fi50.jpg/)
Fitted with Piezo Ceramic FI-50 IEC and FI-1363 Rhodium plated, cryo'd 13A mains plug.
Some technical info on the plugs:
The blades are made from a base of the Furutech "Alpha" pure Copper, to which Furutech then applies a beautiful rhodium plating.
(Alpha) Pure copper Rhodium plated Conductor
Earth (Ground) Jumper System (US Patent No.: 6,669,491 )
Nylon/fiberglass body incorporating nano sized ceramic particles for absorption of vibration resonance.
Multi layered nonmagnetic stainless steel and carbon fiber housing and incorporating acetal copolymer. The best of damping and insulation materials for improvements in frequency extension and tonal quality.
Specified for cable diameters from 6mm to 20mm.
Dimensions: Body length 40.0mm x 40.5mm diameter x 76.2mm overall length
Metal cable clamp for improved grip and reduction of mechanically and electrically induced distortion.
The bits in bold are exactly the effects heard in use (amongst other things), and combined with Mark's superb DSP 2.5 cable, make music sound simply awesome!
Available to buy now on Mark's website: http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=45_18&products_id=198
I'm frankly shocked and stunned that connectors can make such a difference to the sonic performance of cables - indeed I have already experienced this when I replaced the stock Canares with Neutrik Profi phono plugs on my Mark Grant G1000HDs.
Marco.
Ammonite Audio
31-05-2010, 06:41
I'm frankly shocked and stunned that connectors can make such a difference to the sonic performance of cables - indeed I have already experienced this when I replaced the stock Canares with Neutrik Profi phono plugs on my Mark Grant G1000HDs.
I will second what Marco says about these Furutech connectors. A year or so back I was lent the new Vertex Hi-Rez Roraima mains cable, which uses these same connectors - it was staggeringly good and I was left reeling at why a cable should make such a difference; a genuinely musical difference. But that cable was never going to be affordable, so I bought some of the same Furutech connectors and replaced the plugs on one of my ordinary Vertex Roraima cables. The result was a lift in musicality and musical satisfaction that went a fair way towards matching what the H-Rez cable brought to my system. I have since replaced all of my mains plugs with the Furutechs and do not regret the significant cost one jot! They do look like expensive audio-bling but in my experience they do exactly what Furutech claim. I am not at all surprised that Marco is enjoying the same benefits.
i love what big drivers do they have effortlessness and sense of scale that is very realistic
My own view around cables is get get the best connetors ou can find and use either pure silver or copper you can, basically its about the quality of the signal
TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY QUID?????????????
Now I know you're truly deluding yourself... Shameful sir!!!!!!!
I bet you wouldn't be able to hear a difference if a third party changed the cables without you knowing which one was which.
Maybe there's a flaw in the IEC sockets causing a lack of connection with the standard plugs. Better have them changed as well.....
Lol, Dave - I'll just laugh at that! That's something else (along with the Mana effect) I'll have to educate you about when you visit :eyebrows:
Trust me when you hear yourself what the Furutechs do, and how fundamental the effect is on the music, you'll know ;)
Marco.
Ammonite Audio
31-05-2010, 09:52
TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY QUID?????????????
Now I know you're truly deluding yourself... Shameful sir!!!!!!!
I bet you wouldn't be able to hear a difference if a third party changed the cables without you knowing which one was which.
Maybe there's a flaw in the IEC sockets causing a lack of connection with the standard plugs. Better have them changed as well.....
They are not necessarily that expensive, but certainly not "99p Shop" cheap! There are cheaper ways to buy them. That aside, they do work for me and everyone that I know who has tried them; and the outlay compares very reasonably with upgrading system components which often turns into a futile exercise in chasing rainbows. I do reckon that I would feel rather dissatisfied if the Furutech connectors were removed. Note that I said "feel" because what these things do is very much about the feeling of the music.
http://www.furutech.com/items/FP-1363-D-100.jpg
And now Furutech do these UK mains outlet plates as well as various IEC sockets, so why not change them too? If anyone can afford to do so they are doing nobody any harm. Nobody is deluding themselves if they are happy with the result. Try suspending your disbelief for a moment - you may be pleasantly surprised.
Dave I think the best thing is go and hear for yourself; it would be easy to do a test Marco is a great host has a very transparent system to my ears the difference was a lot tighter bass and more coherant soundstage
Lets not get into a cable war or who hears what; both Marco and myself are experienced listeners and neither into badges or audiofools
I can hear the difference between a £4.99 Woolworth's mains block and the £90 Russ Andrews job I replaced it with. I've no doubt I could identify which was in use blindfold. So I'm maybe not as sceptical as I should be about using 'better' plugs and wall sockets. But £300 is taking the piss to my mind - what is in them to justify that price or are they just 'very well made' compared to standard consumer unit?
I should have put some smilies on my post above.
I'm having an "Andr'e" moment (apologies Andr'e). I can currently think of loads of better things to do with the £230 approx difference between standard and Furutech'd cables, like putting it towards our gas/electric bill :(
I should have put some smilies on my post above.
I'm having an "Andr'e" moment (apologies Andr'e). I can currently think of loads of better things to do with the £230 approx difference between standard and Furutech'd cables, like putting it towards our gas/electric bill :(
No smiles on my post! I want answers!
I think you can get them a lot cheaper On a system like Marco its worth taking a bit of extra care
I use this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-X-Blue-AMPS-IEC-AC-Main-POWER-CABLE-CORD-PLUG-C-037-/360265932382?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e185de5e
Maybe Shuggie can supply a link
I think you can get them a lot cheaper On a system like Marco its worth taking a bit of extra care
I use this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-X-Blue-AMPS-IEC-AC-Main-POWER-CABLE-CORD-PLUG-C-037-/360265932382?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e185de5e
Two bucks! That's more like it! - Actually that looks identical to the plug on my Russ Andrews...
The Furtech may well be a better connector
Hi Hugo,
I have since replaced all of my mains plugs with the Furutechs and do not regret the significant cost one jot! They do look like expensive audio-bling but in my experience they do exactly what Furutech claim. I am not at all surprised that Marco is enjoying the same benefits.
You're spot on. It's easy to look at these plugs and think 'audiophile hard-on jewellery', and yes they do look 'sexy', but that's not the point!
The fact is I wouldn't have got them unless they had a significant effect, sonically, on my system. I don't buy 'bling' for the sake of it, that's just not me, as people should know by now. Take a look at my system and show me one bit of it that could be considered as 'audio-bling' or 'badge hi-fi'.... I don't do either - period!!
That's not aimed at you (obviously) but some other people here ;)
As you've outlined, the effect of the Furutechs is a no-brainer, and a must for anyone who owns a truly high resolution top-notch system looking to extract that final few percent of music from their favourite recordings: the final 'icing on the cake', as it were.
Oh, and as for anyone baulking at the £290 retail price - consider that the (grossly inferior) Transparent Reference mains leads I used to use cost three times that - and even that amount pales into insignificance compared to the £2,204.95 Nordost Valhalla (below):
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/8210/valhallapower3.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/valhallapower3.jpg/)
And it doesn't even use the top Furutech plugs - instead inferior MKs and Wattgates!! :doh:
Let's look at Mark's Furutech-modified DSP 2.5 again:
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3126/dsp25furutechfi1363fi50.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/dsp25furutechfi1363fi50.jpg/)
Compare the two side-by-side, and tell me where you think the extra £1914.95 for the Nordost is going! All I'll say is: 'slurpy slurpy slurp slurp'.... ;)
I'd bet any amount of money that Mark's Furutech modified DSP 2.5s would be every bit as good as the Nordost Valhalla, above, (and maybe better in some respects) at a mere fraction of the price, so that makes his mains leads an unmitigated, unequivocal hi-end bargain - end of....! :)
Marco.
Don't mind me Marco - I'm just an old miser - I buy all my clothes from the catalogue returns shop. All I need to do now is take in some lodgers then I would actually become Rigsby from Rising Damp
Marco sums it up well its the icing on the cake and within Marco system made a noticeable difference If you have a very tranparent system this is well worth the effort
Marco system is uniquely his and one of the best systems I have had the pleasure to hear
I do believe its the attention to detail at this levels that makes it worth it
Marco
Does this mean you're not wired straight into your Memera CU anymore? If you're using a 3 pin socket or mains block the inference seems to be that just having these Furutec connectors in the chain makes a difference.
Roy
Hi Martin,
Don't mind me Marco - I'm just an old miser - I buy all my clothes from the catalogue returns shop. All I need to do now is take in some lodgers then I would actually become Rigsby from Rising Damp...
:lol:
Don't worry, my remarks weren't aimed at you! ;)
Hugo,
They are not necessarily that expensive, but certainly not "99p Shop" cheap! There are cheaper ways to buy them. That aside, they do work for me and everyone that I know who has tried them; and the outlay compares very reasonably with upgrading system components which often turns into a futile exercise in chasing rainbows.
Spot on! However, one should not use the Furutechs as the audio equivalent of a 'bandage' because they will not fix what is broken elsewhere (fundamentally or otherwise).
These plugs are for people who have well-sorted genuinely revealing and transparent systems that they're 100% happy with and have no intention of changing in the long-term, and who wish to extract that last few percent from their favourite recordings - nothing else.
In fact, I'd venture to say that the Furutechs shouldn't be used unless the above is absolutely the case because they will simply show up deficiencies elsewhere. Trust me, Mark's Furutech-modified DSP 2.5 leads act as the most transparent wide-open window onto recordings - and we all know what happens with open windows: they let all the shit in along with everything else!!
So...... Use them only if your system (and your ears) can handle the truth.
http://www.furutech.com/items/FP-1363-D-100.jpg
And now Furutech do these UK mains outlet plates as well as various IEC sockets, so why not change them too? If anyone can afford to do so they are doing nobody any harm. Nobody is deluding themselves if they are happy with the result. Try suspending your disbelief for a moment - you may be pleasantly surprised.
Indeed. That's my next move - to replace all the Crabtree sockets on my mains block with the above (single socket versions), so watch this space! :cool:
Marco.
Snoopdog
31-05-2010, 14:05
Another vote for the Furutech FI-50/52 IEC and 13a mains connectors!
Like Shuggie, I have been using these on my AC mains power cords for over a year now (in my case they are fitted to MusicWorks screened & cryoed mains cables).
Mark Grant is producing his finished power cords with excellent VFM as trade on a set of Furutechs for each cable is around 200 notes. To produce a finished power cord for under £300, he is certainly not making alot of money out of the customer!
The matching Furutech single and double AC mains outlets are an interesting development. I use a single AC mains outlet from my dedicated CU supply. It is called "The Lens" and is designed by Paul Chand, a chartered mechanical engineerwho is passionate about music reproduction.
The Lens is non-magnetic and non-ferrous and the key materials are:-
A floating 6262 alluminium alloy front plate with Crabtree panel socket.
A machined from solid PTFE middle and rear section.
Ultra high precision ceramic isolation bearings.
Stainless steel fittings throughout.
Here are some pictures of mine. Please note:- no cables touching the wall or skirting board!!!!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/005-2-1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/018-1-1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/017-1.jpg
Hi Roy,
It's not Roy Riches, is it? :)
Marco
Does this mean you're not wired straight into your Memera CU anymore?
There's been a change recently. Only the flex (a Mark Grant DSP 2.5) from my 'audiophile-grade', star-wired mains block is hard-wired into the CU. All the other mains leads for my components are plugged into the block (now sitting on one of my Mana racks), as I found that decoupling the cables from the wall had a significantly beneficial effect on the sound (and also isolating the block from the floor), for probably the same reasons as the Furutechs work: reduced transferral of vibration and resonance to system components.
So yes, I'm now using fused 13A plugs... But trust me, the effect of mechanically decoupling the cables from the wall far outweighs any negative effect of introducing plug fuses back into the chain - I've tried it both ways, and the difference is significantly in favour of the former! :)
If you're using a 3 pin socket or mains block the inference seems to be that just having these Furutec connectors in the chain makes a difference.
The Furutechs work simply because they're designed to act as a more effective barrier against the transferral of ground and airborne vibration to equipment (which muddies the sound) via the conduit of mains cables, than 'normal' plugs offer, and this also to my ears reduces mechanically and electrically induced distortion, giving a notably clearer and more dynamic sound from in turn lowering the perceived noisefloor of the system.
It's hard describing this sort of thing on a forum because it sounds like gobbledygook or foo-induced pseudo science, but if your system has the transparency to resolve the difference these plugs make, sonically, the effect on music reproduced is all to easy to hear.
Marco.
Hi Steve,
Mark Grant is producing his finished power cords with excellent VFM as trade on a set of Furutechs for each cable is around 200 notes. To produce a finished power cord for under £300, he is certainly not making alot of money out of the customer!
Indeed! Which is why they are such a phenomenal bargain in hi-end terms... Those whose systems warrant the outlay should snap them up tout-suite before Mark puts his prices up!! :eek:
Marco.
AS Marco points out this upgrade is worth considering if you have transparent system and want a little bit more but the improvements are not subtle
Steve love those sockets they have a look of real quality about them
Snoopdog
31-05-2010, 15:27
John,
As Marco has found out, there is merit in decoupling the mains connection from the wall.
The Lens is cunningly designed with small ceramic ball bearings (similar principle to Finite Elemente/Stillpoints philosophy) to decouple the alloy faceplate holding the Crabtree socket from the PTFE housing which is screwed to the wall.
By carefully dressing the mains cable coming from the CU as it travels through the hole in the wall you can ensure that the cable does not touch the wall. The Crabtree socket is then wired to the incoming supply and spaced at 47mm from the hole in the wall. The alloy front plate (physically seperated from the PTFE housing by ceramic ball bearings) is then placed over the Crabtree socket which is bolted to the faceplate and 'floats'. The PTFE housing is screwed to the wall and resonance control takes care of any vibration from the wall. The mains cable does not touch the inside of the Lens housing.
Quite clever really!
Cheers Steve
Can you supply a link
As Marco has found out, there is merit in decoupling the mains connection from the wall.
Big time! Steve Toy and Ian Walker have also discovered the same thing... In fact, anyone with a revealing enough system would hear it :)
The Lens is cunningly designed with small ceramic ball bearings (similar principle to Finite Elemente/Stillpoints philosophy) to decouple the alloy faceplate holding the Crabtree socket from the PTFE housing which is screwed to the wall.
By carefully dressing the mains cable coming from the CU as it travels through the hole in the wall you can ensure that the cable does not touch the wall. The Crabtree socket is then wired to the incoming supply and spaced at 47mm from the hole in the wall. The alloy front plate (physically seperated from the PTFE housing by ceramic ball bearings) is then placed over the Crabtree socket which is bolted to the faceplate and 'floats'. The PTFE housing is screwed to the wall and resonance control takes care of any vibration from the wall. The mains cable does not touch the inside of the Lens housing.
Quite clever really!
Indeed! I tackle the problem by doing away with wall sockets completely and feeding my system directly from the CU via my mains block, which is isolated from the floor by 17 levels of Mana! :eyebrows:
Marco.
Snoopdog
31-05-2010, 16:03
Cheers Steve
Can you supply a link
John
Unfortunately No!
I have not been able to find a single online reference to the designer or his product.
I first read about The Lens in a feature on his new listening room by Roy Gregory in Hi Fi+
As far as I know, The Lens is exclusively available from Blade Audio in Farnham, Surrey.
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