Exciting news -- Suncoast Audio goes brick and mortar

MarinJim said:
Just bought a used, mint silver Hegel H30 from Mike. He is a fast shipper and very friendly. Thanks Mike!
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Hi Jim! Glad it arrived ok. My OCD kicks in with these things. Enjoy in good health! You were terrific to work with.


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congrats mj, i also run a hegel h30 amp, concert fidelity cf-080 ls combo and they work very well together. john
 
Count my wife, Lori, and I in those numbers who have had the great fortune to visit Mike's major slice of sonic heaven, in both his store and his home. I encourage all who have not done so, and who have the means (if you have gone down the high-end audio rabbit hole no doubt you do!), to make the pilgrimage. It was a blast to finally meet and hang out with Mike, a most gracious host and down to earth human being, and to completely indulge our ears. At his Suncoast store the system that sent me into a state of bliss (and drove my wife to tears) was the Magico S5 mk2 driven by a pair of VAC 200 iq's with the ARC Ref 6 pre. I don't remember what streamer was used, Lumin or Aurender. Amazing, emotionally involving, layered, detailed sound! Then Mike took us to his favorite local seafood restaurant for an incredibly delicious meal. If you want to know the name you have to visit Mike as the locals want to keep it from being overrun by tourists. Then it was off to his lovely home to hear the "upstairs" system. I had butterflies as we entered having only seen the pics and imagined what the sound must be like. We listened to both vinyl and digital (Lumin A1) and it was a delightfully shocking experience, realism and rich tonality the likes of which I have not heard before. Lori and I were blown away and stayed well past the time we needed to leave to get back for dinner with family, and, yes, Lori did shed more tears. Big thanks to you, Mike, for a wonderful day we will not soon forget!
 
2ndLiner said:
Count my wife, Lori, and I in those numbers who have had the great fortune to visit Mike's major slice of sonic heaven, in both his store and his home. I encourage all who have not done so, and who have the means (if you have gone down the high-end audio rabbit hole no doubt you do!), to make the pilgrimage. It was a blast to finally meet and hang out with Mike, a most gracious host and down to earth human being, and to completely indulge our ears. At his Suncoast store the system that sent me into a state of bliss (and drove my wife to tears) was the Magico S5 mk2 driven by a pair of VAC 200 iq's with the ARC Ref 6 pre. I don't remember what streamer was used, Lumin or Aurender. Amazing, emotionally involving, layered, detailed sound! Then Mike took us to his favorite local seafood restaurant for an incredibly delicious meal. If you want to know the name you have to visit Mike as the locals want to keep it from being overrun by tourists. Then it was off to his lovely home to hear the "upstairs" system. I had butterflies as we entered having only seen the pics and imagined what the sound must be like. We listened to both vinyl and digital (Lumin A1) and it was a delightfully shocking experience, realism and rich tonality the likes of which I have not heard before. Lori and I were blown away and stayed well past the time we needed to leave to get back for dinner with family, and, yes, Lori did shed more tears. Big thanks to you, Mike, for a wonderful day we will not soon forget!
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Thank you Mike. It was absolutely wonderful to spend the day with you and Lori. The S5 mk2 system was using the Aurender N100H and the Esoteric K-01x as the DAC. The VAC/ARC synergy was absolutely terrific. It was very emotionally engaging for all of us.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Avantgarde system as well.

Thank you again.


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It sure is good to get back hime from almost a three week vacation so I can relax and listen to music. One of the weeks was spent visiting my sister and so I decided to take the opportunity to drive up to Sarasota to see Mike and spend the afternoon at Suncoast Audio. After a quick lunch where we spent time discussing the ins and outs of the audio business and audio shows we headed back to his store for a extended listening session. Unlike my visit last year my wife stayed back at my sisters which allowed us to play a lot of different tracks without feeling rushed.

The set-up we listed to included the MSB Select II DAC functioning as source and preamp feeding the Gryphon Colosseum amp which drove the Magico M3's. I can't imagine anyone questioning the SQ of this system. Truly a very impressive setup.

Good job Mike. Thanks for a wonderful afternoon.
 
still-one said:
It sure is good to get back hime from almost a three week vacation so I can relax and listen to music. One of the weeks was spent visiting my sister and so I decided to take the opportunity to drive up to Sarasota to see Mike and spend the afternoon at Suncoast Audio. After a quick lunch where we spent time discussing the ins and outs of the audio business and audio shows we headed back to his store for a extended listening session. Unlike my visit last year my wife stayed back at my sisters which allowed us to play a lot of different tracks without feeling rushed.

The set-up we listed to included the MSB Select II DAC functioning as source and preamp feeding the Gryphon Colosseum amp which drove the Magico M3's. I can't imagine anyone questioning the SQ of this system. Truly a very impressive setup.

Good job Mike. Thanks for a wonderful afternoon.
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I can imagine for sure you enjoyed your Visit Jim, Sharky Mike is great in discussion and his enthusiasm , i mean , he really , really , enjoys this audio madness stuff and it shows ...

Dont know about his grilling skills thou , so i would be cautious there

:) :)
 
Mike, a big, belated congrats to you. Your shop looks fantastic.


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I am finally back in Michigan after a brief stay at my sisters place in Florida. Just as I was able to do each of the past two years I took one afternoon to shoot up to Mike's Suncoast Audio last Wednesday. Mike and I first caught up over lunch before heading back to his store to audition a couple of the systems very different yet equally enjoyable set-ups. Waiting for us when we returned was Mike B. (Ritmo) who joined us for the listening session.

The first of the two systems we listened to was the all MBL sett-up with the 101e MK II speakers. Most of you know I am a big MBL proponent and the system did not disappoint. It only took a few minutes to reacquaint myself with the omnidirectional characteristics of the MBL's that I enjoy so much.

The second set-up was AvantGarde Duo's powered by the Viva integrated amp. It would be hard to pick a set-up that sounds so different from the MBL's. Very detailed, very accurate and they played with such ease at lower volumes where traditional cone speakers struggle to differentiate notes.

The time spent listening to the two set-ups reinforced my belief that there is no "one" speaker. Each system highlighted strength in certain areas while revealing "minor" issues when compared to the other. I can never again say I am not a fan of horns. Those fortunate few that could acquire one of each and set them up in their home.

When you consider his other speaker offerings I can't imagine Mike's customers should not be able to find just what they are looking for.
 
Same experience I have had over at Suncoast. It’s never the same place twice!
One day it’s a Magico or Gryphon or Avantgardes or MBLs all set up with drool worthy components.
I have fallen in love with all these speakers and if not for my ageing back, small room and thinning wallet I would have bought all of these as my destiny speakers. The Gryphon Pantheons are the sleepers of the group with the biggest WOMP I have heard. There again the Avantgardes are incredible projecting in 3D and so are the omnipresent everywhere sound MBLs......wow.
Then there is Magico and what can I say........so good and fast with that sleek single extruded slab of aluminum...which I liken to a F16......I confess after buying my S3Mk2’s to have been habitually caressing them before I turn off the music for the night......
Yep label me an audiophile.......I don’t care :D
 
still-one said:
I am finally back in Michigan after a brief stay at my sisters place in Florida. Just as I was able to do each of the past two years I took one afternoon to shoot up to Mike's Suncoast Audio last Wednesday. Mike and I first caught up over lunch before heading back to his store to audition a couple of the systems very different yet equally enjoyable set-ups. Waiting for us when we returned was Mike B. (Ritmo) who joined us for the listening session.

The first of the two systems we listened to was the all MBL sett-up with the 101e MK II speakers. Most of you know I am a big MBL proponent and the system did not disappoint. It only took a few minutes to reacquaint myself with the omnidirectional characteristics of the MBL's that I enjoy so much.

The second set-up was AvantGarde Duo's powered by the Viva integrated amp. It would be hard to pick a set-up that sounds so different from the MBL's. Very detailed, very accurate and they played with such ease at lower volumes where traditional cone speakers struggle to differentiate notes.

The time spent listening to the two set-ups reinforced my belief that there is no "one" speaker. Each system highlighted strength in certain areas while revealing "minor" issues when compared to the other. I can never again say I am not a fan of horns. Those fortunate few that could acquire one of each and set them up in their home.

When you consider his other speaker offerings I can't imagine Mike's customers should not be able to find just what they are looking for.
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It was great to see you Jim!

Excellent music listening session at Mike’s. Indeed both the MBL and AG Speakers are so different but yet so good.
 
Love the visuals Larry. Thank you for making me feel a little naughty listening to my Duo XD.

:)
 
Mike
Was perusing the latest issue of TAS (April 21) and saw your impressive full page ad for Suncoast Audio on page 130. Well done my friend.


Jim
 
still-one said:
Mike
Was perusing the latest issue of TAS (April 21) and saw your impressive full page ad for Suncoast Audio on page 130. Well done my friend.


Jim
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Thank you! Should be appearing for a couple of more months.

And no, it wasn’t cheap! LOL

489d8507b5a7f0a512799754c09ae934.jpeg



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