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This is another great story that starts over 20 years ago... Most of this system made the cover of the Stereophile Guide to Home Theater in the March/April issue of 2003...Probably due to the price point, the Strauss model instead of the Mahlers were the main speakers.I always looked forward to the Stereophile Guide to Home Theater and I recall when the Vienna Acoustics made the cover. I cant remember where I first heard the Vienna Acoustics speakers? It might have been at CEDIA in the Fall of 2004 or possibly, in Las Vegas at the High End exhibits at The Sands in January 2005? In any event, this system came from the Gifted Listener in Virginia, whom I just found out closed in 2021.Sorry to learn that... Like all passionate companies, it usually starts with a passionate founder. I didnt know anything about Peter Gansterer or his company prior to setting up this system in 2004 and the Stereophile cover story by Steven Stone was quite enlightening. I didnt even know they were actually made in Vienna until Stevens review... I would encourage anyone to spend some time on the Vienna Acoustics site and in particular on their history. The other great review of the Mahlers is Robert Deutschs in the April 2000 issue of Stereophile.What a wonderful review! You will come away with a new level of appreciation and understanding about Peter and his team.Just a remarkable story... I remember the challenges setting up the system back in 2004. Just getting the system upstairs and in place was quite a production (as it was getting it back down!) and seeing it again after all these years, brought most of that memory back... I dont think the system hasnt moved an inch! There doesnt appear to be a mark anywhere on any piece, which is always wonderful~ It was set up in the Master Bedroom(!) of all places and was probably enjoyed every week. At the time I set up the system, I had owned the 8th pair of (Lawrence) Dickies original Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus since 1998.They were in the Porsche Midnight Blue; set up in Listening Room 1 along with the HTM1 center, the SCM1 Signature surrounds and the ASW4000 Sub, so I had what I thought was a pretty remarkable system (and it was) so being impressed with most anything else at the time was usually pretty tough. I remember being impressed with the Mahlers. Remarkable balance from the low end all the way up and one of the few speakers that I thought handled the low end amazingly well without a Sub! In my experience, every speaker, regardless of size and cost can benefit from a great sub and the Mahlers just sound unreal without a Sub. Even in Listening Room 1, where theyre pictured here, they pressurize this space so well. And of course, theyre just stunning to look at ~ The more I listen to them, the more I like them...Im not sure there is anything Ive heard to compare with these for anywhere near the money? I truly believe one would need to spend upwards of $20K/pair to equal the presentation of the Mahlers.They are that good~ Im not sure there is anyone out there on the eBay site that might appreciate them as much as I do. I may list them on Audiogon as well. I really dont have the room for them, but they sure are tempting! I may consider breaking up the system if its still around in a few months, but I would much prefer that all the pieces go to great home.Thats the way it was purchased and the pieces work so well together.They are truly beautiful sounding as a system and stunningly gorgeous... And I mean gorgeous. Its my understanding from Stevens review that the Rosewood veneer was hand picked by Peter personally on the Mahlers and I think he made have also selected the veneer for the Oratorio center speaker as well? The Waltz surrounds are amazing... They would be outstanding as Mains on a high end stand; with a great Sub! Ive spent hours now with the system trying to find anything not working perfectly and I cant. It sounds wonderful~ The Oratorio may be one of the best center speakers Ive ever heard and Im talking compared with the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81D4 at $8,500.00 and the Sonus faber Olympica Nova CII at $7,500.00Its that good! The Oratorio was an absolute bargain (in my opinion) at $3,300... even back in 2004. I sat right in front of it (literally a few feet away like a near-field monitor) for quite a while and listened to a few multi-channel mixes (Stephen Wilson, Kevin Gray, Giles Martin, etc.) and its really, really good. So lets see how this goes... I probably have too much into the system under the circumstances (I know I do) but thats ok. Im emotionally connected to it and to its previous owner who is now in his 80th year. These situations rarely if ever, are good investments and I decided long ago that it wasnt so much about the money as it was the further enjoyment of the next custodian, because thats really what we are... custodians. Dont hesitate to spend some time on our site as well; jimgraydesigns.comI think you will enjoy it and if you have any questions or concerns about any part of the system, please drop me a note either here or there. The original crates for the Mahlers are in wonderful shape and the other speakers as always, will be professionally boxed, shippedand insured FREE to the lower 48 states. A significant expense thee days! Worldwide shipping is available through eBays reliable Global Shipping Program at an additional charge. I hope this finds everyone well... were anxious for the weather to turn cooler around here.Its been a hot summer in Florida! Best regards,JimJim Gray Designsjimgraydesigns.com
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