dil

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Factory Direct

Summary:
This is a follow up to my previous review of the Model 9 Signature, where I intended to purchase a DCS Elgar SACD/CD player, untill I heard that Muse was backing the new high resolution formats. I upgraded to the latest Model 11 and the extract of my mail to the Chairman, Mr Halverson, summs up my veiws. __________________________________________ Extract: During the time my Muse was away, a friend who is the owner of two source components very kindly offered me the use of his mid priced Sony SACD/CD player. I was eager, as it was my first taste of the format in my system. I was compelled to disconnect the unit in an hour or so, as it was unbearable. He then loaned me, the critically acclaimed Denon DVD 2900. I read Ken Kesslers report which described this product as "high end sound at an affordable price and 1 of 10 'must experience' products of 2003". Once again, it had me questioning my decision to invest in the new high resolution formats and the accuracy of these so called expert opinions. Subsequently, another colleague, who was going to be out of the country, loaned me his new Krell standard SACD/CD player which reassured me of the SACD format and my decision. Enter the Model 11, and to say that it far exceeded my expectations, is an understatement. Having put it through it's paces over the last eight days, here's my impression. To begin with, it has been trouble free since it was powered up with effortless and accurate disc recognition. Starting with CD, it is definitely an improvement from my Model 9 signature and more organic than the Krell player. As for SACD, once gain, it sounds really good, even though I believe the gap between well recorded CD and SACD to be marginal yet worthwhile. DVDA is also stunning. All in all, I am glad I postponed an initial decision to invest in a DCS Elgar SACD/CD machine, which was prior to my knowledge that you would be backing the new formats, some two years or so ago. Your team and you have out done yourselves yet again and reassured me of my decision of becoming a die hard Muse person. What I cant understand is the lack of publicity this product/all your products is/are receiving. Why don't you have a magazine such as Hi Fi News review?

Strengths:
Extended, transparent and unforced sound. Punchy bass that is realistic and not too strong or artificial. Takes an organic quality that is without the typical digital or solid state glare. Perfect sense of musical timing. Stunning depth & dinamic expression that ultimately leads to greater listener involvement. This applies to all three formats i.e CD/SACD and DVDA. Fabulous customer service, all the way through, halfway across the World.

Weaknesses:
Non what so ever no matter how hard I've tried.

Similar Products Used:
As mentioned above, non compares.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This is a follow-up to my review of the Muse Model Ten (under the name Mike_in_NC). Longer listening has strengthened my opinion that the level of performance offered by the combination of the Muse Model Ten transport and Model One Ninety Two DAC is equalled only by the most expensive equipment I have heard. A remarkable achievement! The ticking noise I commented on in the previous review has proven to be audible only under the very quietest cconditions (and we live in an extremely quiet area, with no road noise). It is audible only if (1) the windows are closed, (2) no one else moving about in the house, (3) the HVAC system is not running, (4) no water is running in house, (5) there are no cicadas, spring peepers, or crickets active outside, and (6) the music is in the very quietest passages of chamber music. I don't think it would be audible under any circumstances on video or pop music programs.

Strengths:
Sound is phenomenal.

Weaknesses:
The display is a bit dim and can be hard to read if your eyes are not that good (mine aren't).

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Muse

Summary:
This is a review of the Muse Model Ten transport. I am using it with the Muse Model One Ninety Two processor (connected by Muse's MapLink interface), and the audio is phenomenal -- as good as I've heard, with no trace of digititis. It is possible to tell a violin from a viola, and so on. Bass is stronger and treble is cleaner than with my previous (good) transport. Although the combination will also play DVD and DVD-A, my review reflects CD performance only, as I don't own any of the others yet.

Strengths:
Very clean, natural, and focused sound. Great from deep bass to high treble. Excellent sound stage and timbre reproduction. (Can you tell I like it?) Also, I've found Muse's service to be excellent.

Weaknesses:
Only one weakness worth mentioning -- the transport mechanism makes a ticking sound that can be heard from my listening seat (seven feet away) during the quietest passages. This is particularly disappointing given the otherwise outstanding performance of this unit. If not for that noise, my rating would definitely be FIVE STARS, and I would wish SIX were available.

Similar Products Used:
I have auditioned or owned various Meridian, Proceed, Levinson, Theta, and Musical Fidelity digital front ends. Except for the ticking noise, this combo matches or beats any of them.

Price Paid:  $4000.00 from Factory Direct

Summary:
I am not one for posting reviews on any product despite being an avid reader. The simple reason, I havn't the gift of the scribe, however having read the review about the Model 9 Signature I felt obliged to share my experience with 'Muse'. After all, it would be a great pitty if this piece of equipmet should not get the recognition it so deserves. I purchased the product factory direct as there are no agents for Muse in this part of the world. I was dealt with by the companies president, Kevin Halverson. Contrary to the experience in the previous review, the service I recieved, far exceeded my expectations. I say this having reveled in the hi-fi market for almost a decade. Kevin responded to my numerous queries with lightenning speed and assited me through the purchase and followed through untill the product was at my door halfway across the World. In short 'Muse' has epitamised the phrase 'customer service'. I Settled upon the model 9. Signature, having auditioned the likes of Mark Levinson, Linn, Tag, Krell et al. Music is my priority with movies considered as a bonus. Used with the right equipment, cables, interconnects etc the Model 9 Signature is capable of producing sounds that can only be described as phenominal. The reproduction of music through the 'analog' output is delivered with subtlety and fenesse that has eluded some of the supossedly exotic names that I have listened to in the market. However the best judge is the individual listenner. Listen for your self and make your conclusion. I intend adding a dCS SACD player to my system in the future however my Muse stays. It's here for good. I hope whoever decides on giving this product a listen will enjoy it as much as I do. From my experience, I can only state that 'Muse' is a highly customer oriented company and I haven't quite been the easiest customer to deal with.

Strengths:
A high end 'analogue' sound. Excellent bass reproduction detail power and weight. Excelent transparency. Good soundstaging, through the mid and into the high frequency region, bringing out all the subtle details in the recording without digital harshness.

Weaknesses:
The display reads 'Welcome to DVD world' when switched on. More appropriate for a minicompo rather than a product of this stature and capability.

Similar Products Used:
As mentioned above

Price Paid:  $2200.00 from used by mail

Summary:
Purchased the Model 9 Signature used via Audiogon. Now I know why the owner wanted to dump it. Problem 1: very noisy transport. Easily audible in a quiet room. Ruins soft passages. Problem 2: noisy power supply. Can be heard as soon as the machine is activated. Problem 3: service. Returned the player to Muse. Upgraded power supply. They claimed they could not hear the transport. Right. No help. Advice: avoid the company for its poor customer service and poor product.

Strengths:
CD sound and DVD picture are good, but must play loudly to avoid hearing the player.

Weaknesses:
as before.

Similar Products Used:
I have never heard such a loud player.