Charles System

[Charles]

Originally Posted by prepress

Far be it from me to spend others' money or even hint at it, but the TV looks small in the company of all that huge-looking gear. What size is the screen?

prepress, if memory serves correct, 60". I love to watch DVD and BR music videos and also movies, but I don't want to interfere with the sonics of two channel stereo. I can tell you that my system functions quite well for watching movies. Sound effects are excellent.

It's neat how well the XVX serves my room. Sitting on my sofa I don't notice they are larger than my previous Alexx. The XVX is flared in the rear and narrow in the front compared to the Alexx. It sounds great in my room by far the best sonics I've ever had. If you read the B&W TAS review of the 801D4 you will understand how a large extremely well designed speaker can fail in the room not designed for it.

So I am very fortunate. Even the super tweeter works extremely well. I have it set to minus 4 dB and it provides a polished quality to the treble, a beauty I have not experienced with previous speakers, with no harshness at all. I am extremely fortunate. It's a miracle the speaker works so well in my room. Having a 40 foot long room helps, I think.

Best

Charles

[TOGA]

These Wilson are a dream speakers for me.
I had Sophia3 before and loved it.
These must sound fantastic in this system especially when MC3500 arrive.
Toga

[Charles]

Originally Posted by TOGA

These Wilson are a dream speakers for me.
I had Sophia3 before and loved it.
These must sound fantastic in this system especially when MC3500 arrive.
Toga

Toga, thank you so much for the compliment. I think you have one of the best ears on AA.

Best

Charles

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Charles

prepress, if memory serves correct, 60". I love to watch DVD and BR music videos and also movies, but I don't want to interfere with the sonics of two channel stereo. I can tell you that my system functions quite well for watching movies. Sound effects are excellent.

It's neat how well the XVX serves my room. Sitting on my sofa I don't notice they are larger than my previous Alexx. The XVX is flared in the rear and narrow in the front compared to the Alexx. It sounds great in my room by far the best sonics I've ever had. If you read the B&W TAS review of the 801D4 you will understand how a large extremely well designed speaker can fail in the room not designed for it.

So I am very fortunate. Even the super tweeter works extremely well. I have it set to minus 4 dB and it provides a polished quality to the treble, a beauty I have not experienced with previous speakers, with no harshness at all. I am extremely fortunate. It's a miracle the speaker works so well in my room. Having a 40 foot long room helps, I think.

Best

Charles

I read the review, and Mac gear has always been associated with Bowers & Wilkins speakers. In fact, there was a report on the Capital Audiofest in the same issue, and the B&Ws were paired with McIntosh MC901s; the reporter (Andrew Quint) termed the sound "stunning." The 3500s, though not having as much power, should still sound good driving the 801D4s. You're probably set with that pairing.

As for the TV, I note it's behind the plane of the speakers, as it should be. I'd think it looks bigger in person than in the photo as well. Movie nights must be amazing.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by prepress

I read the review, and Mac gear has always been associated with Bowers & Wilkins speakers. In fact, there was a report on the Capital Audiofest in the same issue, and the B&Ws were paired with McIntosh MC901s; the reporter (Andrew Quint) termed the sound "stunning." The 3500s, though not having as much power, should still sound good driving the 801D4s. You're probably set with that pairing.

As for the TV, I note it's behind the plane of the speakers, as it should be. I'd think it looks bigger in person than in the photo as well. Movie nights must be amazing.

prepress, the 901 is a beast of an amp. It's perfect for bi-amping. If I were in the market for the new B&W it would be my amp. I believe in the correct room this combination would sound incredible. If I were considering a second system, because of the MC901 and my affinity for Mac, and the fact that I don't have a bi-amped system, it might be my choice. I think bi-tri-amping is a good option for speakers that allow it, in fact the preferable option.

The reason I don't like it is solely the expense. It's impossible to bi-amp a Wilson speaker. Everything about a Wilson is against it. I don't believe bi-tri-amping is inherently superior to a Wilson or Magico, for example. It's not correct to infer that speakers that allow both bi-tri-amping and single amping and sound much better with the former, means that the former are superior to a well designed speaker not offering this option.

I think Wilson and Magico support this belief. These designs, especially Wilson, are designed for custom subs, most of the time stereo, which require the addition of 2 extra amps.

I think anyone looking for a reference system reasonably priced ought to consider the new flagship B&W, MC901, and D1100/MCT500. Add stacks of REL subs down the road and this system would achieve incredible performance.

Best

Charles

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Charles

prepress, the 901 is a beast of an amp. It's perfect for bi-amping. If I were in the market for the new B&W it would be my amp. I believe in the correct room this combination would sound incredible. If I were considering a second system, because of the MC901 and my affinity for Mac, and the fact that I don't have a bi-amped system, it might be my choice. I think bi-tri-amping is a good option for speakers that allow it, in fact the preferable option.

The reason I don't like it is solely the expense. It's impossible to bi-amp a Wilson speaker. Everything about a Wilson is against it. I don't believe bi-tri-amping is inherently superior to a Wilson or Magico, for example. It's not correct to infer that speakers that allow both bi-tri-amping and single amping and sound much better with the former, means that the former are superior to a well designed speaker not offering this option.

I think Wilson and Magico support this belief. These designs, especially Wilson, are designed for custom subs, most of the time stereo, which require the addition of 2 extra amps.

I think anyone looking for a reference system reasonably priced ought to consider the new flagship B&W, MC901, and D1100/MCT500. Add stacks of REL subs down the road and this system would achieve incredible performance.

Best

Charles

Only with high-end audio can the terms "reference" and "reasonably priced" make sense in the same sentence.

Compared to many on this forum I'm an amateur, but if the speaker isn't designed for bi- or tri-amping, I wouldn't try it either. And yes, rooms make a difference. Even with my modest Mirage M-3sis, I'm not getting everything they're capable of in the room they're in. The soundstage is nowhere near as deep as is possible with these. We trust the speaker company knows what it's doing with its designs and Wilson does, clearly.

As for bi-amping, I've done it (2 sets of monos) and there was some improvement in my setup; in fact, when I took one pair away the lower frequencies thinned out a bit. With my MC501s I bi-wired, first with separate taps, then with a double connection on the 4-ohm tap, using Kimber 12TC. Now, I'm using Transparent Plus bi-wire speaker cable. More elegant, and there's not much change in the sound; a bit smoother on top perhaps. But again, I agree with you: if the speaker isn't designed to accommodate bi-wiring or amping, let it go and set things up the way the manufacturer recommends.

[Apexorca]

Originally Posted by prepress

Only with high-end audio can the terms "reference" and "reasonably priced" make sense in the same sentence.

Compared to many on this forum I'm an amateur, but if the speaker isn't designed for bi- or tri-amping, I wouldn't try it either. And yes, rooms make a difference. Even with my modest Mirage M-3sis, I'm not getting everything they're capable of in the room they're in. The soundstage is nowhere near as deep as is possible with these. We trust the speaker company knows what it's doing with its designs and Wilson does, clearly.

As for bi-amping, I've done it (2 sets of monos) and there was some improvement in my setup; in fact, when I took one pair away the lower frequencies thinned out a bit. With my MC501s I bi-wired, first with separate taps, then with a double connection on the 4-ohm tap, using Kimber 12TC. Now, I'm using Transparent Plus bi-wire speaker cable. More elegant, and there's not much change in the sound; a bit smoother on top perhaps. But again, I agree with you: if the speaker isn't designed to accommodate bi-wiring or amping, let it go and set things up the way the manufacturer recommends.

I agree with you but there is a twist to it.

Manufactures are making other choices than just technical once. One thing is to make it easy for customers. A lot's of variables some manufactures just think makes troubles, but could makt the sound better. This bi- or tri-amping issue is often such a thing. If you do it right it can often be great but why risk a failure and olso imply that you need to spend much more on your amps to get it sound great. There can be many factors but the sound to this.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Apexorca

I agree with you but there is a twist to it.

Manufactures are making other choices than just technical once. One thing is to make it easy for customers. A lot's of variables some manufactures just think makes troubles, but could makt the sound better. This bi- or tri-amping issue is often such a thing. If you do it right it can often be great but why risk a failure and olso imply that you need to spend much more on your amps to get it sound great. There can be many factors but the sound to this.

.
Carl, you make good points. Bi or tri amping is much more expensive and complicated but can yield a significant improvement in sonics especially in dynamic range and lower distortion. While nothing is impossible, the mechanical adjustments and modularity of Wilsons, especially their larger speakers, make bi or tri amping unfeasible and impractical.

So let's use Magico as an example. Magico's are about as high end as you can get but do not allow for bi or tri amping. Does this mean that a comparable Sonus Faber like an Aida compared to an M6 is superior to the M6 because it can be bi or tri amped? Keep in mind that though less expensive, the additional amplification for the Aida might actually make it more expensive than the M6, all things considered.

One distinct advantage I see in the Aida is that you can make the initial purchase of 135K and enjoy great sound with a single stereo amp, and with careful planning, advance to bi then tri amping, thus achieving the maximum sonics over time. I believe this is the brilliance of what you have achieved with your vintage Krell and Fenice's.

However, Magico has just come out with a new subwoofer, the Titan, with all new drivers, enclosure, and amplification. I don't think it possible within the bounds of reason to add subwoofer(s) to a triamped Aida or Fenice system. Simply too many amps.

But with an M6/Titan system you have two mono amps and two built-in sub amps creating massive low frequency capability in a relatively compact footprint. This system might best a triamped Aida in dynamic range and low distortion.

An option with the Aida would be the MC901 and a REL stack of three per side or a JL Gotham, one per side.

It makes for extremely interesting discussion and speculation.

Best

Charles

[Apexorca]

Originally Posted by Charles

.

It makes for extremely interesting discussion and speculation.

Best

Charles

Yes it does Charles!
As you point out with the Aida to start with a pair of mono amps and later expand to bi- or tri-amping can be a fun journey. The Magico
might also be fun but it's another ride. Both can eventually be fabulous.

When you are in this part of super High End it's not easy to get demonstrations in a store that compare different systems. You can't really know whats the best for you.
You have to be experienced i what sound you like and what products that can take you there.
Listen to a lot of systems in different rooms and try things yourself in your system is the best way I think. It's part of the fun to.

[JoeN]

Charles,

I’m not sure if the last time I commented upon your system. I remember seeing the original installation pics.

During the last week I’ve spent some time going back thru it. It’s wonderful. I haven’t heard it but with what you have in it, I know it rocks. Congrats again.