C1100 vs Reference 6 vs No 326s

[Charles]

Originally Posted by jpgr4blu

Charles:
The XVX is a remarkable speaker. I heard it at Innovative audio last month which the eminent recording engineer and Wilson ambassador Peter McGrath presented with Dag Momentums, the same amps he uses in his home system like Dave Wilson did in his home system. Those suckers are just Dag fanboys who never heard Mac gear. I know you know better. Now go get 'em.

P.S. Although I did not use the word scrim in this thread, that word precisely defines the effect that Mac gear has on sound--- as if a very fine, but slightly opaque run of fabric was draped over the speakers to smooth out the sound and obscure microdetail. I used all silver cables from Kimber when I had my Mac system to balance (brighten) what I felt was perhaps a too smooth (although lovely) sounding amp--but I did not realize until later that cables can only "tune" what the amp presents. That is, I could brighten the smooth sound but could not recover the microdetail that never hit the speaker cables. By transparent, I don't mean harsh, I mean more real. Your speakers are the best I've ever heard. I'm sure they sound fabulous in your system. But I can assure you that the overwhelming majority of audiophiles who have heard speakers of that calibre with Dag, Constellation, Soulution, Dartzeel, Pass, Gryphon and other more transparent, albeit much more expensive, amps would agree that you are driving a Ferrari with snow tires. Uh oh---here he comes....

The overwhelming majority of folks hearing an XVX don't own them.


They hear them in a store. Tell you what, why don't you call Wilson or your several dealers and arrange to audition one in your home? I'm sure Wilson or your dealer will arrange for this to happen. Wilson has several demos.

Also arrange to have 2 Momentum's and 2 1.25's and a D1100 and suitable Dag pre available and have an in home audition for several weeks.

I actually own an XVX. I know the sound the Mac makes through them and it is sublime. BTW my serial numbers are 019 and 020. When you arrange your in home audition, I will really be impressed.

You want to, you absolutely have to believe a Dag or AR sounds better or a Constellation, etc, otherwise your house of cards comes tumbling down. And it is a house of cards.

You have let out a valuable piece of information: Mac is "snow tires" compared to Dags which are "racing tires". That's what you really think about Mac and it what you AR and Dag aficionados really think about Mac.

Glad you are finally speaking your mind. You have used "more real" than Mac "too smooth" and lack of "microdetail" with Mac etc. Too describe some of your problems. And also the word "scrim" which you probably don't disagree with regarding Mac.

Actually, the problem is with the rest of your system. I've "heard" the Dag. The Krell Master Reference amp is still probably the finest amp in the world. I used a FPB 700 for 10 years and loved it.

I have spoken to PM several times and have his cell. I've actually owned 3 of his "big" speakers, not just a V2 Alexia or smaller as you have.

You see Dag is a very fine amp and company. Privately I can tell you that Wilson has a very high regard for Mac. However, it upsets the order of things if they demo with Mac.

However, the new Aida has been demo with Mac plenty of times.

Again it's nice to finally know what you really think about Mac: "snow tires (Mac) on a Ferrari (XVX)". Really good to know. Thank you.

Also, the "overwhelming majority" would be wrong and your statement means nothing because you haven't taken a poll nor has this "overwhelming majority" ever heard my system or a system like it in their home and compared it to theirs. You see you have a point of view shared mostly by AR aficionados but to a lesser extent Dag aficionados but also some others too. I have challenged your point of view. And yes, the lion or grizzly bear will respond. I'm not intimidated by you. I actually enjoy you and your comments.

I've upset your sensibilities because I'm a Mac aficionado standing up to your claims, your assertions, and your beliefs regarding Mac being inferior to these other brands based on zero actual first hand knowledge as described below:

Obtain an XVX. Obtain a Dag. Obtain an AR. Obtain a Mac. Do an extended in home audition. Send plenty of pics for proof. Until then you are simply a typical AR aficionado doing their typical AR "thang". You are simply more vocal than most and more obnoxious than most.

Now I want to say I'm not offended, insulted, etc at your comment. I've known how you felt all along.

I've dealt with highly opinionated people like you all my life. I just have a very different opinion than you and I am challenging your opinion, something that you are probably not used to. You AR aficionados have had your way with Mac on this website long enough with folks like me rolling over. No more!!

I used price because if ever flaws could be uncovered with Mac it would be with my cables, IC's, pc's, power conditioners, and speakers. I use absolutely top line AQ (and it is very expensive) as you can see from pics posted on this site and dedicated 20 amp lines (4 0f them). My Mac sounds absolutely sublime. No scrim. No "unreal". No lack of micro detail or transparency. Just beautiful music with unlimited dynamic range. See my "Enjoyable Listening Session With My XVX" with a friend Thread posted in the Wilson Forum. He's about 48 and used to be national sales manage for Burmester, and an extremely accomplished audiophile with one of the best CD collections I have ever seen, especially for one who mainly streams. He listened for about 6 hours. I won't repeat his impression here.

I have been one the proponents on this site that maintains that a well put together well thought out system can easily out perform a more expensive system, no question. I put the price in which I absolutely do not like to do, because I felt it was necessary in this particular case. I think my AQ is absolute reference quality. I think my XVX absolute reference quality. My Mac does an absolutely fabulous job under these demanding circumstances and they are very demanding. That's the only reason I quoted price.

[Masterlu]

As long as we keep it civil, we will “Keep on Truckin”.

[damacman]

Charles - I simply don't see why you're so offended here. While trying desperately to win this battle, you're losing the war.

I for one greatly enjoy reading about brands which I do not own - be they cars or audio gear.

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by scirica

I hope this thread goes on forever. One thing that I don't think adds to the conversation is putting retail $$ next to every piece of equipment as if that is evidence of superior sound. It's all about what comes out of the speakers, not the wallet.

Cheers!

+1 on this.

[jpgr4blu]

Hi Charles:
We will continue to disagree but frankly, it is a waste of time to convince each other of our respective likes and dislikes. I have described the sound of Mac gear as I have heard it in my system over a number of years with 2 different sets of Wilson speakers which I owned during my Mac tenure. In the years since I dropped my allegiance to Mac, I have continued to this day to hear the differences between various amps with Wilsons at 2 nearby dealers--- one of which carries Wilson, McIntosh, ARC (and others) and the other of which carries Wilson, Dag, Spectral, VTL and Lamm. I have heard so many combinations of the above speakers including the XLF and the Alexx with all of the above amplification over the years that I cannot count them.
That may sound crazy but I visit these dealers frequently as an audio fan with a special affinity for Wilson speakers. I have owned 5 pairs of Wilsons over the years all of which were purchased new from these dealers after at least one test listen with my music.
All of these partnering amp and preamp products have a particular sound with Wilson speakers and I can describe the attributes of each in detail. All of the above mentioned amplification products are more transparent than Mac. That, as I see it, is Mac's biggest weakness. All have the others have their own character and also have their own strengths and weaknesses. But I do not have to hear the XVX with Mac to know the character of the sound it will produce in relation to Dag. The character of the Wilson-Mac combination has never changed in any application I have ever heard. Again, a speaker can only produce the sound that the amp outputs into the cable. If the speaker is not receiving a transparent signal, it will not produce a transparent sound.
Anyway, you should not care what my opinion is as long as you are happy with your set up. Isn't that all that matters? Had you not accused me of being among a cabal of ARC fans with some deep seated need to swoop in on threads to attack Mac, I would not have gone into further detail about how I came to my personal conclusions. Be happy with your choice. You have no reason to please me.

[Masterlu]

[Charles]

Originally Posted by jpgr4blu

Hi Charles:
We will continue to disagree but frankly, it is a waste of time to convince each other of our respective likes and dislikes. I have described the sound of Mac gear as I have heard it in my system over a number of years with 2 different sets of Wilson speakers which I owned during my Mac tenure. In the years since I dropped my allegiance to Mac, I have continued to this day to hear the differences between various amps with Wilsons at 2 nearby dealers--- one of which carries Wilson, McIntosh, ARC (and others) and the other of which carries Wilson, Dag, Spectral, VTL and Lamm. I have heard so many combinations of the above speakers including the XLF and the Alexx with all of the above amplification over the years that I cannot count them.
That may sound crazy but I visit these dealers frequently as an audio fan with a special affinity for Wilson speakers. I have owned 5 pairs of Wilsons over the years all of which were purchased new from these dealers after at least one test listen with my music.
All of these partnering amp and preamp products have a particular sound with Wilson speakers and I can describe the attributes of each in detail. All of the above mentioned amplification products are more transparent than Mac. That, as I see it, is Mac's biggest weakness. All have the others have their own character and also have their own strengths and weaknesses. But I do not have to hear the XVX with Mac to know the character of the sound it will produce in relation to Dag. The character of the Wilson-Mac combination has never changed in any application I have ever heard. Again, a speaker can only produce the sound that the amp outputs into the cable. If the speaker is not receiving a transparent signal, it will not produce a transparent sound.
Anyway, you should not care what my opinion is as long as you are happy with your set up. Isn't that all that matters? Had you not accused me of being among a cabal of ARC fans with some deep seated need to swoop in on threads to attack Mac, I would not have gone into further detail about how I came to my personal conclusions. Be happy with your choice. You have no reason to please me.

This is your typical AR aficionado spiel. You make all of these grandiose claims and comments about how many Wilsons you have owned and how many you have heard but you haven't actually owned an XLF or an Alexx have you? I have.

You are used to Mac aficionados rolling over. I have a supremely transparent system. I'm not intimidated by you or those like you. You absolutely have the right to voice you opinion about the Mac and I have every right to call you out on it and disagree with you.

You are just are not used to a Mac aficionado standing up to you and your ilk. You have made your position abundantly clear. I have made mine abundantly clear. But just to restate mine: I do not feel Mac inferior to AR or Dag sonically, period. I actually own an XVX. You don't. All your experience is dealer showrooms because you have never had an in home audition with an Alexx, XLF, or XVX. I have.

Now you and those like you that I regard as sophisticated bullies, need to find someone else to pick on because make no mistake about it, when you pick on Mac, you are picking on me.

I can and will respond to you and your ilk on this Thread until Ivan closes it. But know this, the next time folks like you or George etc begins a Thread like this picking on Mac I will respond. I have free speech just like you, in other words find some other brand to pick on and get your kicks from it/them. Also understand I'm not speaking for other Mac aficionados. I'm speaking for me personally.

Am I offended by you? No. Do I I feel insulted? No. But I will respond and then finally when you realize this you will go on about your way.

So go ahead, keep going. Keep repeating yourself. You may set a record. This is something that has gone on this website for a long time and it has gotten much worse as time has gone on.

Charles

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

No......don’t shut it down.......this is good stuff! I’ll post another grizzly bear picture if it’ll help.

- Buck

[Masterlu]

It will remain open, at least until Martial Law is declared.

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

It will remain open, at least until Martial Law is declared.

Yeah, better stay on your toes before an all out McIntosh vs. Audio Research cage match starts!

- Buck