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| Model: | Aragon Soundstage |
| Category: | Preamplifier (HT) |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $4000.00 |
| Description: | Home Theater Preamp/Processor |
| Manufacturer URL: | Mondial Designs Ltd. |
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Review by Nathan on January 02, 2000 at 05:33:44 IP Address: 199.196.144.13 |
Add Your Review for the Aragon Soundstage |
This pre/pro beats out anything in its price range. I A/B'd it with an EAD Ovation and the Soundstage is obviously better. The soundstage (no pun intended) is better defined on two channel. The bass is tighter and more defined than the EAD. The soundstage allows you to set different crossovers for any output allowing for better integration. The overall build is outstanding although the EAD is flashier with the shiny faceplate. One other advantage over the EAD is you don't have to worry about losing the remote.In hometheater, the Soundstage again came out in front. The EAD is wonderful on HT but the Soundstage along with the Aragon Amps is incredible.
I have auditioned several pre/pros and this one is surely at the top of the heap. You can only get better by spending more, but how much more do you want to spend.
| Product Weakness: | Large, will take up space on rack. |
| Product Strengths: | Build quality, outputs. Very musical-tight bass and well-defined soundstage. Home theater is awesome. Multiple crossovers. |
| Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
| Amplifier: | Aragon 8008BB, 8008x3 |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | EAD Ovation |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Sony 7700dvd/ |
| Speakers: | Martin Logan Requests, Cinema and Scripts |
| Cables/Interconnects: | Mit cables all around |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Jazz, R&B, Classical |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | 2 hours |
| Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Panamax |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Dealer Demo |
I visited yesterday (while I was supposed to be buying groceries - "Sorry honey, there was a huge line at Ralphs") my long time dealer from whom I've purchased lots of Mondial gear over the years (including BB & X3 amps).Asked him about the Soundstage. He told me:
1. Mondial is allowing dealers one unit per month. He sold his only one within a week of getting it for full list price (ouch!). He won't get another till Feb. As I indicated, he sells a lot of this gear, so if anyone could get more units in, he'd know.
. . . Expect not to get a great deal if you buy one right now. It's a new unit & supply is tight.
2. He thought there were some bugs with that unit. Didn't get into much detail, but from what he said, they sounded like software problems.
. . . This is not unususual. Lots of products have such problems. You'll often see these problems noted in magazine reviews of new preamp/pros. Example, the original Citation 7.0, when first shiped would "lock up" and have to be turned of/on. As I recall, those Citation problems took a couple of software revisions to fix. And Madrigal is continually updating the AVP's software for increasingly (thankfully) minor bugs.
Summary:
I'd suggest patience to people interested in this unit. I don't mean not to buy it, as I am a long time fan of Mondial's products, but prices are going to be high and bugs are going to be worked out for a little while. And, should you buy, make sure you have a dealer who can/will inform you of software revisions. They can be substantial, and often incorporate the feedback of reviewers & dealers.
What is the price range of the Aragon? Is it line with the Parasound AVC-2500 or more closer to the soon to be released AVC--1800?
Also I noticed you used MIT cables. Does that include their Bi-wire rigs under one sheath? How do those perform for you? I only looked at them /never listened and was wondering if they were more gimmick then substance. (Many folks [including some speaker manufacturers] subscribe to the theory that some of the benefits of biwiring are lost w/the "all in one" bi-wire cables. I'm very interested in your results. Thanks!
THE ARAGON LISTS AT $3999. I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH MIT CABLES WERE USED BUT THEY WERE BIWIRED AND THEY WERE AT THE UPPER END OF THE MIT CHAIN. THE INTERCONNECTS WERE TERMINATOR 2'S. (THIS WAS A DEALER DEMONSTRATION, SO YOU MUST AUDITION FOR YOURSELF AS WELL.)
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