ChronosonicXVX

[keef]

Charles, a big congratulations - exciting stuff! I heard these recently with Dagastino electronics. Incredible - enjoy!

[metaphacts]

[QUOTE=Joe P;986610]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

I'd love to see a side by side like this:

[QUOTE=metaphacts;987398]

Originally Posted by Joe P

I will next be back in Provo on the 9th for a new Wilson dealer tour. I will try to pull a slate gray color disc from inventory and photograph it to post here before I leave again on the 10th.

Managed to get a quick shot of the two colors Monday morning before our new dealer arrived. As you can see, the two shades of grey are quite different.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by keef

Charles, a big congratulations - exciting stuff! I heard these recently with Dagastino electronics. Incredible - enjoy!

Keef, thank you so much! I recently downloaded the Bob Dylan Rolling Thunder Review from HD Tracks. It's pricy at 135.00 but worth every penny. The sonics and songs are incredible. It is Dylan at his creative height performing with a great band in multiple very small intimate venues with great supporting cast. Terrific! My Alexx never sounded better. At 12 watts peak hold (volume set between 60%-67%!) it sounds like Dylan and Baez are in my rec room. Can't imagine what it will sound like on my XVX. It's what the high end is all about: tremendous wholesome entertainment. The mid range is so pure, neither forward or recessed with no edge and no notes that pop out and hurt the ear despite high sound levels. Perfect midrange presence. Tight quick bass that hits you in the chest and beautiful cymbals, harmonica etc. I'm listening so loud it would be impossible to even have a brief conversation with the person right next to you. Yet it doesn't seem loud at all. Seems to be no limit to how loud I can turn it up. 148 songs and you can download the rtguide pdf and find all lyrics on Bob Dylan official website. Highly recommended!

Charles Updated System
Most recent update: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx soon to updated to a Wilson Audio Specialties XVX
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes enough to turn the room into a virtual anechoic chamber if desired; however, at present my room is significantly reflective giving me a bright, vibrant, dynamic, highly resolving, smooth sound free of harshness and grain and perfect for my taste; zero slap echo; gorgeous midrange
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.
Room (mancave): 40’L x 15.5’W A-frame; max ceiling height 8’ min 5’; wall within wall construction built of 2 x 6’s; built over garage with custom hardwood floor with gym seal with over 40 Lowes stiffened wooden I-beams supporting floor; complete isolation from rest of house

[keef]

Charles, I was listening to all digital through DCS into D'Agostino preamp and amp with Nordost cables. I was able to play all types of genre's including some well recorded rock - Keith Richards "As Wicked as it seems." The clarity and texture of the electric guitars was stunning. Also, Stephen Stills with guest Eric Clapton on "Go Back Home" from his first solo effort, was equally excellent. Stills rhythm with the wah-wah affects along with Claptons impactful lead put you in the recording studio.

I know it was a system as a whole but the XVX delivered the goods. What struck me more than anything was the needed bite with guitar when called for but an overall airy and liquid top end. Would love to hear them in my room!

[Jumper]

Charles, your system is impressive !

I am wondering if you ever tried a C1100 in your system ?

I own both D1100 and C1100, have done the test multiple times, and I allways found my system far better when using the C1100. The D1100 is a great DAC but, as a preamp, the C1100 is way better...

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by Jumper

Charles, your system is impressive !

I am wondering if you ever tried a C1100 in your system ?

I own both D1100 and C1100, have done the test multiple times, and I allways found my system far better when using the C1100. The D1100 is a great DAC but, as a preamp, the C1100 is way better...

My experience agrees.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by j3brow

My experience agrees.

Short answer is no to Jumper. I had a C-1000 preamp SS (the 2 piece unit), which as you know is a truly excellent pre. When the D1100 came out I saw the possibility of eliminating it and simplifying my signal path, since I don't do vinyl and never will.

Since there have been so many changes to my system, it is impossible to say if my sound is better because of it's elimination. Two things I will never be in is tubes and vinyl. I grew up with both and while I totally respect folks that utilize both, I like solid state and digital much better.

On that Bob Dylan download, the liquidity and S/N ratio is amazing. Tubes and vinyl can't match this, IMO. I have found the 96K/24 bit provides an incredible sound in my system.

I really enjoy the systems of folks that have found insertion of a pre or the use of tubes and vinyl to give them great sound. But I have gone a different route. I tell people: It's the Plan. Have a well thought out system. It's not the cost of the system or whether you use SS, tubes, a mixture, a pre insertion (which many feel improves the sound), etc. It really isn't. It's how much thought and effort you have put into it because in the end it's your ears that is all that matters. It's what makes the high end so much pure fun.

p.s. I think truly excellent sound can be achieved for much much less than what I have and very competitive with what I have. Entry level systems can achieve tremendous sound these days. For anybody reading and thinking about the high end, get in touch with Ivan and let him get you started.

[Charles]

They are coming to remove my Alexx this wed morning. It will take about 3 hours. I'm sad but looking forward to my XVX. It was a great speaker. I had planned to keep it for at least 5 years but the XVX is the chance of a lifetime, my chance and I'm going to take it. Be brave my heart.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Charles

They are coming to remove my Alexx this wed morning. It will take about 3 hours. I'm sad but looking forward to my XVX. It was a great speaker. I had planned to keep it for at least 5 years but the XVX is the chance of a lifetime, my chance and I'm going to take it. Be brave my heart.

Unless there is some unforeseen or highly unexpected room interface issue with the XVX you are not going to miss the Alexx's at all. The XVX was something special when I heard it.

[Azbiker]

I spent an hour with them last week. Streaming Tidal and Qobuz through a Linn Klimax DS with Burmester pre amp and amps. Also matching Thors. I was almost almost brought to tears at the beauty of the music.