Wilson Alexia or Q3

[asiufy]

Until you can give us the pics what is your current setup, including cables?


alexandre

[S1chen]

Originally Posted by asiufy

Until you can give us the pics what is your current setup, including cables?


alexandre

I am not sure how to post the photo from my PC.

Speaker - Alexia
Cable - Kondo SPz
Amp - DIY 300B
amp power cord - Sosna Kubala Elation
I/C - Sosna Kubala Elation
Preamp - LAMM LL2.1 deluxe
Pre power cord - Sosna Kubala Elation
DAC - Light Harmonic Davinci
power cord - Transparent PLMM2X
IC - Kondo LPz
Digital cable - Wireworld Platinum Starlight
Digital Server - Linn DS Majik
power cord - Transparent Reference Powerlink
Analog Turntable - Linn LP12, EKOS 2SE, Transfiguration Proteus, Keel, Radikal power supply, Transparent Reference power link
IC - Kondo VzII
Step up transformer - Kondo SFZ with VzII
phono amp - LAMM LP2 deluxe
Power cord - Transparent PLMM2X
IC - Kondo LPz
Rack - HRS M3, S1, SXR. Finite Element pagode master reference

Preamp and Phono are new, previously using the Shindo Vosne Romanee
Power amp - previously using Cary 805AE

[fgchong]

Just wonder a DIY 300B can really drive the Alexia?

[jazzman]

Originally Posted by S1chen

Thanks of your information. changing from Alexia to Q3 is easy for me. The dealer is more than happy to wheel in the Q3 and take away the Alexia with no price difference.

I am completely in agreement with Alexandre that if you move to the Q3, you need to carefully choose upstream components. The Q3 will be less forgiving than most speakers. It is not that it is difficult to drive, it is more that it is so transparent that it has less of a house sound. Pair the Q3 with a Spectral and then with a Vitus and you have the impression to have 2 completely different speakers, because you are really hearing the different sound of amps, without the speaker adding anything to it.
That means I would advise you to listen to the Q3 with the upstream components you are planning to use, if you want to build a real opinion on how they will perform at your home.

[djwhog]

I think for this Thread the question that was asked should have 2 catagories one for each speaker describing the power requirements, sound characterisitics, imaging, tone, power requirements to drive eff ratings, coloration, room size usage separation and other features that determine speaker output qualities.

It is not a matter IMOP at this level what is better, but more what you want to hear correct

[S1chen]

Originally Posted by fgchong

Just wonder a DIY 300B can really drive the Alexia?

this is not one normal 300B with 8W. it may not be a power house like a krell but its mid, high, bass and speed is enough to play rock to a ear deafening level.

[CLEE]

Originally Posted by S1chen

this is not one normal 300B with 8W. it may not be a power house like a krell but its mid, high, bass and speed is enough to play rock to a ear deafening level.

I would think that the Q3 is easier to drive than the Alexia, though not by much. It has higher sensitivity than the S5 (and the Alexia). A slightly warm amp would not be unwelcome by the Q3. But I think the Lamm preamp already provides some warmth.

It is not difficult to discern that Magico speakers excels on technical aspects - transparency, resolution, coherence, extensions, etc. Even my wife, who has never been an audiophile, told me she heard things she didn't hear through the Sasha. The big question is whether you love the sound, that it is musical to you. The sure way is to compare direct in your environment with your own gears, assuming that your are confident of their transparency. I took the risk of bringing in the S5 before unloading the Sasha. Fortunately it worked out nicely.

[PLK]

Originally Posted by CLEE

I would think that the Q3 is easier to drive than the Alexia, though not by much. It has higher sensitivity than the S5 (and the Alexia). A slightly warm amp would not be unwelcome by the Q3. But I think the Lamm preamp already provides some warmth.

Suggest you read the HiFi News Lab Report on the Q3 and Alexia.

Both manufacturers rate their speaker's sensitivity at 90db.

The HiFi News Lab Report shows the Q3 came in at 87.8db and the Alexia at 89.8db.

They both have a "scary" EPDR (equivalent peak dissipation resistance) of .9ohm at 64hz/65hz.

[bvdiman]

Originally Posted by Bodhisattva

Bvdiman, just curious which Siltech cables you're using?

Currently in system : PC - 4x Ruby Double Crown, IC - 2pr Empress Double Crown xlr, SC - Emperor Crown (w/Emperor Double Crown jumpers).

*When I upgraded from King few years ago, top then was Emperor Crown. Meanwhile upon its released, upgrading to EDC I think too close a step up for too much money, so I skimped there by using the jumpers only . Further, was told that there will be surprises from Siltech at upcoming CES.. Whoahh Triple Crown will be unveiled perhaps?

[bvdiman]

Originally Posted by S1chen

this is not one normal 300B with 8W. it may not be a power house like a krell but its mid, high, bass and speed is enough to play rock to a ear deafening level.

S1chen,
Sorry for having my moment of doubt as the question you raised did sound a bit like trolling knowing well how most Magico vs Wilson threads usually ends up like.

In '90s when I had Wilson WP7, two of my favorite amps driving them were Jadis JA80 and VTL90 (90w class A, 8 WE300Bs - 4/side), they were sublime.. Overall I preferred them to Ongaku which I also acquired later along with change of speakers to more efficient Tannoy RW. Powerful 300Bs based amp done right is really something else.. If anything similar I can imagine how wonderful it must be sounding with your Alexia. On the other hand, when I owned Magico Mini2, V3, my preference were SS amps on them (I used FMA611/Soulution710), their sealed nature required that extra current to enliven the woofers. Tip from Toga is right, both needed slightly different treatment in order to get optimized. Although it might have shifted a little with Wilson's current voicing.

So finally onto your dilemma, imo both speakers at this level could sound downright ugly or beautiful highly dependent on what feeds them ie.revealing albeit voiced differently. True System building is an art by itself demanding not only healthy doses of passion, dedication but patience as well. Take your time and only trust yourself (hearing/heart). Good luck with whichever path you may be taking, and enjoy while at it.