News concerning Wilson speakers

[Charles]

I think it very noteworthy that the Alexx V was declared Stereophile's Overall Product of the Year. I think many of us have become so used to Wilson winning these awards that we tend to dismiss this tremendous accomplishment as expected, routine, insignificant, or old hat. However, there are a tremendous number of very fine speakers out there in high end land. The XVX remains Robert Harley's reference even with the advent of the M9 as well as Mike Fremer's, notwithstanding the repeated appearances of Robert's bald head on the full page M9 adds by Magico. In the latest TAS the new Alexia V received a wonderful pre-review in "Industry News" by Robert (p.16). It is clear that he is smitten by the new Wilson Quadramag mid as am I.

The XVX is a speaker to have fun with. It's as at home witht he Supremes, Smokey Robinson, or the Rascals as it is with Mahler. I love to roller skate. Skating is in my blood despite my advanced age of 74. I skate 8-10 hours on the wood every week. I skate on wheels that are extremely low traction, being custom fiber glass (275$), special made by Pete Printle out of California. Most would have a difficult time even standing up, but I love them. Imagine skating on glass. But if you can do it you can make the skate do anything, because it's truly like the floor is not there. It's a forgotten art of skating and I can slide 20 feet or one foot.

When I come home I like the oldies loud . My XVX says yeah, Charles, I'm ready to rock. Wilson speakers have the ability to let their hair down and sound like what I hear at the rink, loud, brash, and plenty of boom, if the recording is such. The XVX has no upper volume limit.

Best

Charles

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Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest
New gear on order:
Most recent updates: Latest is the last one posted: 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; heating and cooling completely reworked and reinsulated resulting in a much quieter, cooler, and more efficient room (cost about 10,000.00). McIntosh MCT 500 SACD/CD transport; Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode for XVX Chronosonic; WEL Signature digital Coaxial cable for MVP 881/D1100 digital connection replacing the optical connection; New plinth for Thor subwoofer made of X material with the Wilson Acoustic Diodes; Thor is now off my floor; MC3500MKII mono block amps (2) and two custom granite slabs; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover; new 75-ohm multi-directional FM antenna for tuner
Amps: McIntosh MC3500MKII mono blocks (2), McIntosh MC1.25KW’s (3). All amps set on floor on custom made granite slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCT500 SACD/CD Transport, 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; custom made Wilson Acoustic Diodes
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie; custom plinth of X material with Wilson Acoustic Diode feet; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover
Cables main system: Audioquest WEL Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); WEL Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; WEL Signature digital coaxial cable for MVP 881/D1100 digital connection; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for MVP 851 DVD player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Audioquest 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 MR87 tuner
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from ActivXO crossover to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; 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 for D1100; MVP881 BR player; MCT500 transport; MR87 tuner; plinth for Thor subwoofer made of X material with the Wilson Acoustic Diodes
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.