Alexia 1 and thoughts on gear

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by JWM

What is a cable loom?

Usually the applied meaning is same company for speaker, interconnects and power cords.

Best Sir,

Bob

[dcvibe]

Originally Posted by JWM

Hey Dcvibe just looked at your sale post and see you hail from KC area. I lived there for 13 years and loved KC!!! Last house was in old Leawood on Summerset and Wenonga. I miss KC!
The Momentum looks great.

Small world... I'm in the Lenexa area but am frequently in the leawood and Overland Park area.... cheers!

[tima]

Originally Posted by JWM

Hello All. I have Alexia 1's that replaced my Sophia 2's last year and I would like to get some thoughts and opinions on my associated gear. My room is dedicated not shared, it is 13.5 wide and 22 in length the ceiling is open rafter that is 11 at the peak. The room acoustics have been designed and treated by Vicoustics.
Most of my gear revolved around the Sophia's, but I have purchased some new gear last year.

Amp- Classe CA 2200
Pre Amp- Audio Research Ref 3 (Great Northern Sounds Reference Mod)
Dac- Ayre QX-5 Twenty (new)
Network Player- Melco HA-N1Z (new)
Power Cond- Shunyata Denali (new)
Speaker Cable- Siltech LS-188 G5 mk2/SATT
Interconnects- Audio Quest Sky XLR and Enkline proto type XLR
Power Cords- Shunyata Alpha (new)
USB Cable- Transparent Premium (new)
Rack- Core Audio Design
Vibration Control- Symposium Acoustics: Platforms - Shelves - Roller Blocks

Non Audiophile friends that hear the system say it sounds great! and it does, but like most audiophiles I want to improve the SQ. I know that the Ref 3 and cables are getting old. I have always questioned the Classe being a 5k amp - driving speakers such as the Alexia.

Any suggestions would be great. I would mention that I am not able to drop 40 or 50k on an amp (I wish) I would be in a more modest market!

Thanks.

Of all the relationships between gear, relationships through which synergy is found, the amp-speaker relationship is perhaps the most important. The right amp with the right speaker is one of the foundation pillars of a quality system with high enjoyment. Most worthwhile speaker reviews don't talk about preamps, they talk about amplifiers.

You've got the speaker. From what is in your list, you need a good amp. Once both are in place, build out from there. If you can't afford to put some real money into an amp, don't go short term gratification, wait until you can or you'll not get from the Alexia its full capabilities. I'm vaguely recalling Atkinson, in his Stereophile review of the Alexia 1, liked the Classé CTM-600 monoblocks and the Lamm M1.2 monoblocks. Martin Collums in HiFi Critic had excellent coverage of the speaker - another one worth reading.

[JWM]

Hi Dcvibe. The DD Momentum's look very enticing along with a great price. I have read great reviews on them I have breached this possible transaction with my CFO/CEO and she has advised me to hold off until after the new year sighting other more pressing expenditures but not to lose hope in my future audio crazyness
Thanks everyone for your insights! As I first stated most of my gear was based around my Sophia's! so it seems as I though the amp and or preamp should go first, then move along from there

[Ritmo]

JWM - I have the Alexias with the D'Agostino Pre and the S250 amp. I originally purchased the S200 and upgraded it to the S250 configuration last year. While the S200 is a terrific the investment to bring it to the S250 was well worth it. BTW, I was originally using the S200 with an ARC Ref preamp - a very nice combination.

Food for thought!