Due to the space limitation to fully extracting sonic potential of YG Vantage 3, I traded in Vantage 3 +Pass X600.8 (both less than a year from the new purchase) for mint Marten mingus quintet 2 statment edition and LaiV GaNM amps with Rossini apex and Pass xp32 still staying.
At my study of 16sqM, the sound became much more musical and dynamic!!
I still run YG Sonja3.2 (upgraded from 2.2) and mastermind 845 monoblocks in much larger living room with great plesure.
My impression is YG needs some space to truly enjoy its airyness and clinical sound magic…
I am curious to hear anyone’s impression of Quintet 2~
I have only heard a previous version of the Marten Mingus Quintet (not the “3”) once back in 2022 (it might have been the upgraded “Twenty” version) but as I recall yes, they were tremendously musical and compared to my [frame of] reference YG Hailey 2.2 loudspeakers: they sounded musically rich, were outstandingly detailed and focused without any stridency, and were very, very easy to sit back, close your eyes, and listen to.
The Marten Mingus Quintet 2 (along with the Tidal Contriva G3) would def be on my short list if I were looking to change today. But then I frequently think “what if” – what if I had more space for my hifi kit, what if I had more money, and so on – what all would I want to do? And I then go into my den, cue things up (Ypsilon Phaethon, dCS Rossini APEX / Clock, way over-spent cabling), start one of my “girlfriends” or “bossa nova/samba” playlists, and thoroughly lose myself in what I am listening to. Nevertheless, my congratulations to you – I think you have made an outstanding upgrade from the YG Vantage’s and the new Marten’s should provide a ton of musical enjoyment.
Great looking set up, just wondering about the space limitation comment for the Vantage 3, to me the Martens would need a larger room then the Vantage to fully take advantage (closed box vs reflex)
I have the Hailey’s 1.2 in a 24 square meter room, which works well, bass reflex is very difficult in my room
@imprezap2 Funny, my room is also approx. 24 square meters and I too went with the YG Hailey’s because the YG’s don’t have the rear port and thereby have eliminated the issue of a bass resonance problem. The sealed box of the Hailey’s allows the bass to build linearly and works very well for me and I could only move on to a different loudspeaker if I had a larger, different room. Then again, I am pretty pleased with the performance of the Hailey’s and don’t have a real need to replace them. But I have to admit that @Simon2 's set up looks really great.
Same for me, very happy with the Hailey’s, by far not the weak link in my system.
But to have two systems, one with Mingus and one with YG is even better
A colleague of mine is using the Marten Mingus Quintet 2 Statement, paired with the Vitus Audio SIA-030 and SD-025 MkII. What a joy to listen to, it’s been hours of pure musical enjoyment.
I’m also using the SIA-030, together with the Bartók APEX and TAD CE1TX. My room is quite a bit smaller, and personally, I lean more towards TAD, but Marten is without a doubt a fantastic loudspeaker.
Congratulations on this wonderful purchase!
Vitus audio SIA-030 is one of the integrated amps on my “future” list, together with the Soulution 331.
That (vented speaker in a small room) was my initial concern. The dealer agreed that they set up Quintet 2 in my study first and demo, and if I got satisfied, I could buy them.
They tried and it was wonderful, leadimg to the purchase.
I think I did not get an enough bass from the Vantage 3 as I could not raise the volume enough.
One merit of Quintet 2 is that it has a bass control dial that really works!
AS you mentioned, the sealed box speakers increase the bass linearly as the volume increases. As my bass reception is not linear, I needed some minimum level of volume/bass where Vantage 3 did not reach at my usual listening level. I presume at 24 sqM, you can increase the volume enough to enjoy Hailey’s deep tight bass.
I would someday have Vitus small monoblock. They seem to have a serious followings!
Vitus Audio offers the SM-011 monoblocks, which will undoubtedly sound fantastic.
However, I believe the SM-103 MK2 is a better match for the Mingus Quintet 2, especially if, like me, you prefer pure Class A.
The reason? It’s organic sound character.
You should definitely try both if you get the chance.
Vitus Audio and Marten, a match made in heaven!
Frankly speaking, one of the reason I let pass x600.8 is because of the heat (53C) in my study.
I would rather get a non A-class amp next time.
(My living room is rather large so Mastermind 845 A-class monoblocks are heat-bearable)
You will definitely save electricity by not having the X600’s anymore. Nice speakers.
Not only saving on electric bill, I am surprised by how good GaN D class amps are…
Every new generation class-D amps are improving, can’t wait to try the new Mola Mola monoblocks that are coming this year. (The Perca stereo amp already very good)
Recently Class d amps are really evolving with new GaNfet and new design changes~