[Charles]

I have a friend who has the full XVX system with significantly superior ancillary gear. I'm competitive but that's all. But I love my system. It's me. When I bought my XVX one of my main concerns was my station in life. I was comfortable with my Alexx and its a great speaker. Almost anyone would be extremely happy with it. Was I trying to attain too much? Was I headed for disaster? Would it fit into the room? I'm used to expensive gear but the XVX was on another price level, even though it was relatively inexpensive as mega speakers go. The XVX is truly a mega speaker. I felt nothing but severe stress. Ivan didn't help with his comment about audiophiles and tape measures. And then the way the deal went down. At the self checkout buying groceries at Walmart on a cell phone. When I got home I thought: Man, what have I done? Did that really happen? When they removed the Alexxes and sold them there was no going back.

A year later all that stress and nights laying awake have been turned into pure joy by the XVX. In this life I will always have the memory of laying it on the line and winning. I had one surgery and now the next is on Jan 6th. I did 7 miles on the treadmill (usually do 11) today and a full gym. Ate some really good food. Feeling much better.

A full big Wilson system includes two Subsonics and two mono's and at least a stereo amp for the subs. I'd go with two Momentums for the mains and two Progressions for the subs as the classic arrangement. That's four huge amps.

There's just no room for bi or tri amping. Not to mention Bill's explanation.

I have been listening to The Bach Gamut performed by Virgil Fox. Through my XVX/Thor the performance is stunning. It's what you pay the big bucks for. It's a live performance. The 5,500 folks attending it were so enthralled that they began their applause before several of the pieces were over and had to mute their applause. My friend has it on 176/24 bit 2-track download from original master tape. I have it on the RR CD. I obtained the CD for 38 dollars new. I wouldn't take 1,000.00 for it unless I could obtain another one. Some things are priceless.

You can expound all you want about the advantages of multiple amps for each driver/active crossovers, a new power conditioner, cable, power cord, vibration control device, etc. But I will tell you, it's the speaker for me and it always will be. I enjoy hearing and feeling the bass. Cymbals on the XVX must be heard to be believed. The decay lingers like no other speaker I've heard. Cymbals just hang in space.

Best

Charles

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Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest
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; Wilson Pedestals
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
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals
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.