Wilson Alexia or Q3

Originally Posted by jdandy

David.......I fully understand the passion that comes from wanting to support and promote our own specific choices, be it audio components or anything else in life. A strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something is a good thing, providing that enthusiasm doesn't cause us to act in a selfish, self-centered way that ignores or attempts to damage other's enthusiasm for their choices. The tipping point comes when enthusiastic discussion detours toward personal vendettas. As a group I believe we are intelligent enough to peacefully communicate and respond on any topic with a measure of consideration and kindness for our fellow members rather than allowing an aggressive attitude to spoil the fun.

Amen to that!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by S1chen

It is sad that I don't have the chance to heard the 2 recommended amps from the AA members yet. The Aesthetix Atlas is out on loan to another customers and no dates on the availability from the dealer. The Hegel H30 is worst, the local dealer don't even carry the demo amps and I have to buy with "premium" price without auditioning, not even in the showroom.

S1chen.......The Hagel H30 is a powerhouse amplifier with more than 1.1kw output into 8 ohms when bridged for mono. In stereo mode it has 350 w/p/c into 8 ohms and 650 w/p/c into 40 ohm loads. I can't imagine a speaker on the planet this amplifier won't drive. It has an established reputation as an excellent sounding power amp. Having said all that, I would find it very difficult to spend $15K for the Hagel H30 without hearing it driving the speakers I owned or was considering owning.

Originally Posted by jdandy

S1chen.......The Hagel H30 is a powerhouse amplifier with more than 1.1kw output into 8 ohms when bridged for mono. In stereo mode it has 350 w/p/c into 8 ohms and 650 w/p/c into 40 ohm loads. I can't imagine a speaker on the planet this amplifier won't drive. It has an established reputation as an excellent sounding power amp. Having said all that, I would find it very difficult to spend $15K for the Hagel H30 without hearing it driving the speakers I owned or was considering owning.

I agree Dan, the Hegel is a terrific value given its build quality, sound & power reserves. In saying that, I don't pay too much attention to the number of watts. To me the most important thing is the amplifier's synergy with the speakers, followed by its ability to properly control the speaker load in the real world.

[S1chen]

Originally Posted by jdandy

S1chen.......So, have you made a decision yet? Will it be the Wilson Audio Alexia or the Magico Q3 in your sound system? . . . . . . Wilson Audio Alexia ($48,500 / Pair) .................................................. ... Magico Q3 ($38,950 / Pair)

Chances is I will go with the Q3 and later add the q-sub when it arrived. As I mention earlier in my post, Q3 is like a "perfect" transducer. It work like a measuring instrument rather than a tuned speaker. It delivers what is in your system and every small change even a power cord swap between the pre and DAC yield a drastic different.

On the hand, the alexia is a more easy speaker to live with with many people. It easily translate music album you have into some live playback and realism in your room. The q3 on the other hand demand the most out from the electronic, cables and source. But with the right gear, it is awesome. On the other hand, the magico can be dry, monotonous, light weight bass if it is pair with only average gear. Take for instance, I know 300B tube amp sound are magical, but I never hear 300B amp can be so emotional, micro detail and rhythmic before till it pair with the q3. The mid range of the q3 with the 300B is so musical that you want to sing along with the singer. The blue music guitar sounding so real that you want to standup and play along with them.

[kev313]

Originally Posted by S1chen

Chances is I will go with the Q3 and later add the q-sub when it arrived. As I mention earlier in my post, Q3 is like a "perfect" transducer. It work like a measuring instrument rather than a tuned speaker. It delivers what is in your system and every small change even a power cord swap between the pre and DAC yield a drastic different. On the hand, the alexia is a more easy speaker to live with with many people. It easily translate music album you have into some live playback and realism in your room. The q3 on the other hand demand the most out from the electronic, cables and source. But with the right gear, it is awesome. On the other hand, the magico can be dry, monotonous, light weight bass if it is pair with only average gear. Take for instance, I know 300B tube amp sound are magical, but I never hear 300B amp can be so emotional, micro detail and rhythmic before till it pair with the q3. The mid range of the q3 with the 300B is so musical that you want to sing along with the singer. The blue music guitar sounding so real that you want to standup and play along with them.

I have to ask...with the 300b, you are putting 8w into the q3? 12?

[willyjack]

Unless you pair Q3 with warm tube preamp and amp I would opt for Wilson.

[S1chen]

Originally Posted by kev313

I have to ask...with the 300b, you are putting 8w into the q3? 12?

Yes it is current powering by a DIY 300B with KR tube pushing out 15W. With the Standard 300B with 8-10w, it is not enough to get to an exciting level.

Originally Posted by S1chen

Chances is I will go with the Q3 and later add the q-sub when it arrived. As I mention earlier in my post, Q3 is like a "perfect" transducer. It work like a measuring instrument rather than a tuned speaker. It delivers what is in your system and every small change even a power cord swap between the pre and DAC yield a drastic different.

On the hand, the alexia is a more easy speaker to live with with many people. It easily translate music album you have into some live playback and realism in your room. The q3 on the other hand demand the most out from the electronic, cables and source. But with the right gear, it is awesome. On the other hand, the magico can be dry, monotonous, light weight bass if it is pair with only average gear. Take for instance, I know 300B tube amp sound are magical, but I never hear 300B amp can be so emotional, micro detail and rhythmic before till it pair with the q3. The mid range of the q3 with the 300B is so musical that you want to sing along with the singer. The blue music guitar sounding so real that you want to standup and play along with them.

S1, If you can afford both the Q3 and awesome Q sub (around $75,000 msrp) you are fortunate person indeed! I agree the Magico's sound best with warm, tube like solid state amps. I have only seen them demonstrated with Vac tubes which apparently has good synergy (as it should for the price). As you know, Alon previously favored the Vac tube mono blocks, but now uses Vitus mono blocks and a Vitus preamp in his sound room There are also Constellation amps in situ, but that has more to do with cross pollination.

I would be interested to see how well the Q-sub integrates with the Q3 in practice

[gardener]

ARC ref 250 and Magico S5 sound wonderful
Complete control with tube sound
Only really play vinyl so cant comment on anything digital

[Espen L]

You don`t need to have tube amps to get Q3 to sound very good! I have Burmester system on Q3 and it sound Fantastic.
Espen