New Thor's Hammer Installed
 

The installation went well. This is one heavy subwoofer. It looks so much better with the XVX than the older Thor. When I post pics you will see what I mean. The install occurred yesterday morning and took about 2.5 hours.

It's pretty amazing the difference between the old Thor and the new Thor. Without question the whole frequency range has more clarity. I don't really understand how this is possible and I had been using the new crossover for weeks so it's not the crossover. If you have never had a sub you will discover that a sub makes a very audible improvement to the entire frequency range, if integrated properly the main system.

Next, the 20, 25, and 31.5 tones on the Wilson subwoofer CD are noticeably improved. I have some organ music that has very soft 18-25 Hz tones. The new Thor did a significantly improved job of producing these notes. On regular music I can notice an improved mid and upper bass. It will be weeks before I can fully evaluate all the improvements.

I have been extremely busy with my "Science Project", getting the house open for the summer, etc. Also recently purchased two new vehicles. No better time to purchase a vehicle than right now, IMO. I will be getting pics up over the weekend. I am listening to Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash sing duets. It's very pleasing to hear the improvement in the bass and the remarkable increase in clarity of the entire frequency range.

Buying this new Thor's Hammer will be one of the best decisions I have ever made regarding a high end audio purchase.

I hope everyone has a safe and tremendous Memorial Day weekend.

Best

Charles

https://i.imgur.com/2bHY6Kuh.jpg?2
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Charles Updated System
Most recent updates: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; new subwoofer crossover; new Galaxy Grey Thors Hammer
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 XVX Chronosonic
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
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

Charles
Looking forward to the pictures and additional comments as you get more hours of listening in.

This furthers validates my theory that no matter what speakers one owns, every speaker benefits by adding a dedicated subwoofer(s).

I am not so sure of that but I can only imagine what Charles’ room sounds like.

The sub is driven by an MC1.25k and is like 92/3 dB sensitive. That is an over the top amp on an over the top subwoofer mated with an over the top pair of speakers. Whew!!

Thanks to all. I may have to post the pics without proper orientation if I'm going to get them up this weekend. I felt all along the old Thor was holding back the XVX from truly singing.

I was correct. I feel like I'm hearing the XVX almost for the first time. I honestly cannot hear the Thor anymore. The bass is seamless. The clarity of the midrange and treble are significantly improved even when the Thor is at .012 watt on the Mac.

My source at Wilson taught me how to use and understand the phase control to correctly phase my system. I read a tip on page 136 second paragraph of TAS issue 298 October 2019 that is the best subwoofer tip I have ever read.

When I get the pics posted Ill try to explain.

Best

Charles

Utmost impressive system, yet getting more a step above. I'm curious, did the drivers
of Thor change of do you think it was just the crossover improvement? Or was it two-
fold - both crossover and Thor improved to you previous setup?

I think it was the age of the old Thor. It was about 10 years old and I put it through a lot. It was under powered for a long time, using a Mac 601 mono amp. It definitely needs the 1.25 KW. It was one of the first made. I am assuming Wilson is using their current generation X-material in the new one. The difference is not subtle. I think speakers age and I wanted a system that will grow old together. This speaker system is my last one. While I will certainly reserve the right to upgrade my sources and amps as Mac introduces new gear, the Audioquest and Wilson will remain unchanged.

Here is the subwoofer tip: Using a Wilson subwoofer test CD and playing a 50, 40, 31.5 tone discover the phase setting that maximizes the bass. For my system it was the continuous 40 Hz tone. At 0 the bass is maximum. At 180 the bass is minimum. The phase doesn't seem to have any affect on the rest of the tones but has a marked affect on my 40 Hz tone.

I have in my system a peak of about 4-5 dB at 40 Hz on a pure tone. It has been present in every system I have had. By adjusting the phase to 90 this peak goes away leaving the rest of my frequency range untouched. It is noticeable and provides that final touch of integration of the Thor into my system.

Greg Weaver of TAS first clued me in on this possibility in his article on the VSA Ultra 9 loudspeaker on page 136 second paragraph of October Issue 298. It's the best subwoofer tip I have ever read.

It works for me in my room. It may not work in yours.

For those of you that are audio purists like me, a subwoofer is deep treacherous water. It is extremely difficult to get a sub integrated into a system without the use of an equalizer and an equalizer can be heard and degrades the audio signal. I would never consider using an active HP crossover or equalizer for this reason. However, using the phase control you can have your cake and eat it too. But it may not work for you as it has for Greg Weaver and me.

Best

Charles

I'm sure that Charles is right on this, and I'll come from the other end of the price spectrum. While doing a one week demo of a pair of Sabrinas, my sound got a night and day improvement from a $700 REL T5. (Almost insulting to the Wilsons to pair with such a modest unit, isn't it?)

The thing to remember about subs is that it's not just the drums they're improving. They provide a foundation for every other instrument, and the added amp takes a huge load of the main amp.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e5/10...2543d14ebb.jpg

:)

When do you add the second for a stereo pair?