Didn't Leonard just retire finally? I didn't hear a significant change with my particular Audio Research preamp LS25 MKII until around 96 hours of usage.Definitely call AR for a direction to go in. That does not sound normal with the reference to channel leakage. Strange that the demo unit has the same hiss imbalance.

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V.Sharp

I call ARC last night, on for my local time. Customer Service department said, hissing is normal for tube and can be heard if put ears so close to tweeter. As long as I dont hear it
at listening position, then I should not be worried. For signal leakage form one input to other, he also said it is normal because CD player has very high signal level. But it can be
heard only when put ear a few inches from tweeter as well, Can't be heard from listening position. He said the big white caps in audio chassis takes very long time to break in. Now I have 80 hours on them. the sound stage, ambiance detail, treble, upper mid is the best I've heard. only from low midrange, mid bass, deep bass, that is not quite bloom and full. Not sure if Transparent high impedance XLR cable will help even out the tonal balance. But I should wait till after 600 hours to judge this Ref ANN tonal balance.

Does the Maxx dip down in impedance like the Sasha does? I would be worried about driving these with a tube amp.

What about Spectron? Incredible power and control in the bass.

Wait till 500h mark and then you may try to tube roll 6550s in the PS. With my Ref-3 going from factory supplied 6550 to 1950's TungSol Black plate brought a big improvement. Much greater than substituting 6H30 tubes for 6H30-DR mil-spec equivalents.

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Wilson W/P Sasha + darTZeel NHB-108 + dCS Scarlatti

I'm sorry, why was the ARC DS450 ruled out? Affordable and very, very strong with the MAXX3s in my 700++ sq.-ft. room. My guess is it gives you the soul crushing loudness you're looking for. And hey, compared to all the gear mentioned in this thread it's downright cheap. Just throw it out if you don't like it.

I'm surprised Spectral has not been mentioned. I am a happy new Maxx 2 owner, 2 whole weeks now I am currently using a Krell FPB 600c, the same amp I used with my WP7, but am lusting over Spectral DMA 360's....that is how it always starts! I love the Krell, don't get me wrong, but I have had it for about 7 years now and it may be time for a change. I think the FPB c and cx Krell's are the best amps they made. I am very familiar with the Spectral sound and always thought they build the finest gear. I have an older DMA 180 but I think the Maxx's will need more power, they love this about my Krell. When I would switch amps in the past, it was as if the Spectral brought an entire layer of detail and speed and the Krell is a great amp that does not lack for speed and detail. I know that Wilson uses the 360's throughout their process and has for many many years. Seems like a perfect match. I also use a Berkeley Alpha Dac and those guys have close ties with Spectral and use their amps in the design process as well. If you have not heard Spectral + Wilson, I would highly encourage a go.

First post here so hello to all! I recognize many of you guys from Audiogon where my user name is Richard_stacy. Good to be here!

Welcome aboard, Richard!

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Randy - Wilson Sophia 2; BAT VK-600SE, BAT VK-52SE, BAT VK-5DSE; JL Audio F113 x2; Exact Power EP-15 and SP-15; Oppo BDP-83 SE; Emotiva MPS-1 and DMC-1; Marantz VP-15S front projector; 92" Stewart Firehawk; Rocket 200, 300, 750; ASC Tube Traps; SMS-1; WireWorld Silver Electra 5^2 PC's, Silver Eclipse 6 IC's and Silver Eclipse 6 SC's; Shunyata Hydra 6/Black Mamba CX-HC; Symposium Svelte Plus and RollerBlock Series 2+; Clear Audio Concept (MC); PS Audio GCPH

Welcome Richard!!


I would love to see photos of your Maxx's! Also, if you didn't know, Wilson Audio has a Facebook group and fan page where I encourage people to become a fan/member and post their systems (new and old models). Any owner or fan of any Wilson product is a part of the "Wilson Family"!

Good to have you here, and hope to hear more from you!

Deb

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Speakers: Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy 6's, Wilson Audio WATCH Surrounds series 2, Wilson Audio WATCH Center Channel series 2, WATCH Dog (passive) series 2 w/ controller Amps: Parasound Halo A 21 and Parasound Halo A 51 Processor: Integra DHC 9.9 DVD/Gaming: Playstation 3 Cables: Transparent Plus In-Wall Cable, Transparent Interconnects, Transparent HDMI Cable and Interconnects Screen: Stewart Filmscreens 92" Luxus Deluxe Projector:JVC DLA-RS35

Many thanks for the warm welcome!

I will post pics as soon as I get a sec to focus and tear myself away from listening to music. Appreciate the invite to the Facebook page but I have an inherent aversion to social networking sites. I just don't get it but that is a whole nother topic for another day...!

A quick comment on the Maxx's...I love them so do not take this wrong but there are many things I miss about the WP. Certainly they did not possess the scale and dynamics but they were much much more precise, laser sharp and just generally seemed more accurate. I am a freak for accuracy and precision, hence my Spectral comments before, and value them more than scale. I do plan to live with these big fellows for a while and continue to mess with placement but I can see myself going back to WP's down the road.

Thanks again for the warm welcome!

Among the choices you have listed, I would not have a problem choosing The Pass X1000.5. IMHO Pass Amps are a cut above.