Description

Audio Nirvana has arrived. Being involved in this hobby for the past 40 years proves that this is a journey and not a destination. Over these years I have had countless iterations of too many systems to mention. Over the past 15 years I have become a loyal fan of Wilson Audio speakers and have steadily moved up their production line. Four years ago I never thought it could get any better than my Wilson X-2 Alexandria series l until I heard the X-2 series ll this year. Suffice it to say the X-2 Series ll speakers were added in October of this year in Black Almondine and now occupy the center of my sound syatem. For the past 3 years I have been seriously considering a return to vinyl and was ready to make the move until I began reading about the resurgence of reel to reel tape recorders and The Tape Project. Recently I found a fully restored Studer A810 tape recorder and added it to my system as well as becoming a Charter Subscriber to The Tape Project. Needless to say I was smitten. Recently I also swapped out my much beloved Meitner digital gear for the newer Playback Designs PDS MP-S5 and have been more than happpy with that decision. Earlier this year the video side of my room underwent a complete change and installed the Sim2 C3X1080 triple chip DLP with an Isco lll anamorphic lens. This allows me to enjoy either 16 X 9 format as well as 2.35 on a CIH Stewart Firehawk G3 132 inch curved screen. When I did this I upgraded the subwoofer(s) in my room by swapping the Wilson XS for two JL Audio Gotham subs. It took the better part of four months to get these subs dialed in for my room but once done they are simply better than I could have ever imagined. As far as what the future holds in the hobby, I am in a holding pattern but I never say never.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Wilson Audio X-2 Alexandria Series ll
    I am in awe of this speaker both from the way it sounds as well as the way it looks. After 3 months of anxiously awaiting, the speaker finally arrived. Color is Black Almondine with Parchment Gray grill covers. The speakers weigh in at a cool 720 lbs each and stand 2 inches taller than the X-1's I had. Simply put, I have never heard a speaker as real as this. The soundstage is huge, more open than even the X-2 series l. The ease of setup as well was amazing. It took us only 2 hours to get the speakers operational. The wonderful thing about the X-2 is that the upper modules can now be meticulously set to image at ear level. The X-1's were always imaging just a bit high. These speakers are truly Dave Wilson at the pinnacle of his game. Just when I thought my X-2 series l's put me at audio nirvana, along comes the X-2 Series ll. The best way to compare this speaker to anything else is with a big smile rather than with hyperbole. IMO this speaker has brought me to Audio Nirvana.
    • Lamm Industries ML 3 Signature
    The ML3 is a single-ended (SE) tube amplifier utilizing a very powerful direct-heated triode GM-70 (125W plate dissipation) and a separate power supply. Combining the most sophisticated technologies and electronic design with graceful looks reminiscent of the classic era of tubes, the ML3 is our top-of-the-line, no-compromise product. It is a 32-watt amplifier that operates in pure class A and utilizes no overall feedback. The topology is absolutely unique and incorporates one of the most advanced power supplies ever featured in an audio device. These factors, along with the designer’s unique vision and understanding of the underlying principles of audio electronics, make the ML3 an amplifier without peer. With the ML3 as the centerpiece of a high-end system, the recorded event is recreated in one’s listening room with astonishing verisimilitude. The listener is able to experience an ephemeral yet tangible connection to the essence of the music. These are not empty claims. Those who have listened to the ML3 firsthand have unanimously acknowledged this phenomenon and have reported it to be utterly unique in their collective experience. IMO this amp rises above all others and is the the new king of the hill. Audio Nirvana has arrived
    • Lamm Industries LL1 Signature Dual Mono Line Level
    The monaural line level preamplifier model LL1 Signature is the ultimate statement of perfection in High-End audio. Just like ML3 Signature is the best creation of its designer's professional career among the LAMM amplifiers, so is the LL1 Signature among the line level LAMM preamplifiers. The LL1 Signature has been designed to complement the ML3 Signature amplifier, and this combination in a system represents a "match made in heaven". However, the LL1 Signature will perform magic with any other appropriate power amplifier. The LL1 Signature features a topology that brings out the most natural sound performance in the audio path. In principle, it is a single-stage unit that basically represents the shortest possible signal path. The preamplifier contains four very linear low impedance triodes paralleled into a single inverting gain stage. The LL1 Signature employs a pure single-ended class A operation, with no overall feedback applied. Also featured are specially selected high-transconductance dual triodes 6N30P-DR/ 6Н30П-ДР (original) in the signal path and TKD stepped potentiometers for volume control - the best available on today's market. The preamplifier's audibly neutral power supply features a full-wave vacuum rectifier. This rectifier, together with a choke-containing filter, allows to practically get rid of the hum and buzz and, in the end, to ensure the verity of dynamic range without coloration. Two solid-state analog voltage regulators supply dc voltage to the tube filaments (heaters). Other features include 3 inputs, one tape/HT processor loop, attenuator (-12 dB) switch, output 1/output 2 switches, protection circuitry designed to enable manual muting of the output signal, and built-in remote on/off for LAMM power amplifiers. The main distinction of the LL1 Signature from any other comparable type of preamplifiers is its practically inaudible sonic signature. When connected to an appropriate type of power amplifiers, especially LAMM power amplifiers, it assures the extraordinary transparency of perceived sound and recreation of a three-dimensional soundstage in the home, recording studio, etc., without boundaries and limitations. Each preamplifier is handcrafted of the finest materials and top quality parts like military-grade DALE metal-film resistors, PRC wire-wound resistors, BOURNS multi-turn potentiometers, CORNELL DUBILIER and UNITED CHEMI-CON electrolytic capacitors, ELECTROCUBE, ELCON and ROEDERSTEIN film capacitors; HAMMOND chokes, gold-plated NEUTRIC connectors, and military-grade low-noise long-life vacuum tubes. A custom-designed massive damping panel installed in the preamplifier unit significantly reduces all types of mechanical vibrations which, in turn, leads to a more extended, coherent and natural bass reproduction. The LL1 Signature features a custom-designed super-low noise power transformer. The LL1 Signature works on all world AC line voltages (100/120/220/230/240V).
    • JL Audio Gotham/g213
    Gotham® Your first look will tell you that you are looking at something special… your first listen will confirm it beyond a shadow of a doubt. The beauty of the Gotham® extends well beyond its exotic design and exceptional craftsmanship, aiming right at the emotional core of musical and cinematic enjoyment. This is a subwoofer system with limits well beyond the needs of the typical home theater application, delivering a weight and integrity of reproduction that can only come from a system that is always in control. Its allure lies as much in its ability to convey subtleties as in its prodigious output capabilities. It is simply devastating. A luxurious, handcrafted gloss-black finish is complemented by machined aluminum and stainless steel accents for a look and feel that fits perfectly with the finest home furnishings. More importantly, the beautiful cabinet houses a pair of JL Audio’s highest-technology subwoofer drivers. When demanded by program material, the Gotham’s amplifier can deliver voltage equivalent to 3,800 watts of RMS power to take full advantage of the twin drivers’ four inches of peak-to-peak excursion capability. This ensures that the Gotham™ can breeze through material that makes other subwoofers go into clipping, limiting or distress. Listening to a Gotham® reveals an entirely new dimension of subwoofer performance... a dimension so satisfying that listening to lesser subwoofers will forever become an act of compromise. Available Models: g213 (click for specs and feature list) Model: g213-GLOSS SKU: 96237 Cabinet Finish: High-Gloss Black
    • Playback Designs System MS5
    I just never thought that I would sell my Meitner gear because for years IMO it was the leader of the pack. Not so fast any more as along came the PDS MS-5 which creates music as close to vinyl as the real thing
    • Studer Reel To Reel A-810
    A fully refurbished state of the art Studio reel to reel
    • Krell Theater Amplifier Standard
    This is used to drive my center channel, surround channels and rear channel. I use it only for home theater however when Krell releases their SACD standard in May, I will delve into multichannel audio. I continue to use a Krell FPB-750 mcX for my Wilson XS subwoofer. I use 6.1 and not 7.1 in my room
    • Wilson Audio WATCH Center Channel
    I have used many center channel speakers but have found this one to outperform anything that I have previously owned. I use it with its accompanying speaker stand centered right under my screen. Recently upgraded this center channel to Black Almondine to match my new X-2 series ll speakers
    • Wilson Audio WATCH Surround (left and right)
    A perfect compliment for my Wilson X-1/XS speakers.
    • Nordost Valhalla
    I use this in my front end. An unbelievably transparent interconnect. I was using Tara Labs The Zero which was magnificent but I feel the Valhalla is a notch above even though The Zero was priced at $12,500 for a 2 meter pair of balanced cables
    • Wilson Audio WATCH rear
    I decided on only 6.1 rather than 7.1 and am very impressed with this speaker in my home theater
    • Sim2 Triple Chip DLP Projector C3X 1080
    For those following the buzz on the internet this is the latest triple chip DLP from Sim that has a picture unequaled for projectors of this price and size
    • Isco 2.35 Anamorphic Lens Model lll
    Anamorphic 2.35 lens for Sim 2 projector
    • Stewart Filmscreen Firehawk G3 CineV 130
    A CIH screen with native 2.35 aspect ratio and 120 inch width. Masks to 16 x 9 as well
    • Sony BDP-S2000ES
    Sony's flagship Blu-ray Disc™ player, with astounding audio enhancements and vibration-reduction that deliver phenomenal results in a rock-solid design
    • Lexicon MC12B-HD v 1.2
    Most impressive about the MC-12 HD is its extensive custom processing capabilities. Four 32-bit floating-point DSP engines provide vast resources for such proprietary features as Logic 7, Auto Azimuth correction, five-speaker enhancement, bass enhancement, and dialog enhancement. Lexicon?s bass management system, digital crossovers and tone controls are also powered by these DSP engines. This processing is performed at sample rates up to 96kHz with 24-bit resolution to retain top performance from all input sources. A fifth DSP engine is dedicated to decoding Dolby Digital and DTS sources. Inside and out, the MC-12 HD is designed to accommodate potential hardware and software advancements with internal expansion, a removable rear panel access plate, and two RS-232 connectors.
    • Nordost Valhalla AES/EBU
    A digital cable with XLR (balanced)terminations. Used to connect the Krell kps25sc to the EMM Labs DAC 6
    • Nordost Valhalla
    Simply the best and most transparent cable I have ever used. I sold my Tara Labs The Omega for these cables. As great as the Omega was, I find there is no comparison with the Valhalla
    • Nordost Valhalla
    20 amp IEC power cables (one pair) used for my Audio Research Refernce 600 Mark lll mono amps. This resulted in immediate improvement in bass as well as producing a somewhat more dynamic sound.
    • Tara Labs RSC Gen 2
    Used in my home theater
    • Tara Labs RSC Air One
    5 pair of balanced cables used in my home theater
    • Tara Labs The One
    I have 2 of these in my front end. They made a big difference
    • Absolute Power Line Purifier
    Used in my home theater side. A very solid work horse
    • Aurios Pro MIb
    Decouplers. An absolute must in any system. I use these under my Krell kps25sc and Audio Research Reference ll Mark ll. I have also found dramatic improvement in my bass when used under my Wilson X-1 Grand Slamm speakers. These are sold exclusively at http://www.audionut.com Ask for Bob Williams. he will give you all of the theory behind this tweak.You can reach him at 1-877-944-5505
    • Acoustic Sciences Corporation Tube Traps
    The single best tweak to my room was to have ASC design room modifications (tube traps)according to the size of my room with the type of gear used. I have a total of 38 tube traps in the room in all sizes, varying from Super trap 20's, Super trap 16's and trap 13's, 11's and 9's. I did this in stages according to the plans provided by ASC and once finished I had a true 2C3D room. The walls are virtually invisible.
    • Acoustic Sciences Corporation Sound Planks
    Also part of the design rendered for my room by ASC. These sit at the front wall and have vastly improved the sound in the room.
    • Billy Bags AV Pro
    This is used for my home theater equiment
    • Billy Bags CD/DVD Stand
    Designrd specifically for my room I am able to store over 1000 CD's and/or DVD's
    • Zoethecus component stands Z.2/R (2 in all)
    Great looking, good support and excellent isolation
    • Zoethecus amp stands (3 in all) Z.block/1d
    Great looking with super isolation
    • Musical Fidelity Tube Output Buffer X-10v3
    high input impedance allowing me to drive my new JL Gotham subs without compromising my Audio Research Reference 3 preamp
    • Musical Fidelity Tube Output Buffer Power Supply
    Optional separate power supply for tube buffer which helps bass response from Gotham Subs
    • Transparent Reference (RSE) Interconnect
    20 foot pair from Tube Buffer Output to Gotham subs and one meter pair from ARC Ref3 to Tube Output Buffer
    • See Other Web site For More Details And Pictures
    [URL]http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?10535-Doctor-s-Orders-Part-Two-The-New-Listening-Room-Of-Steve-Williams&p=191656&viewfull=1#post191656[/URL]

Comments 1014

Showing all comments by dgad.

View all comments

Congratulations. You must be approaching heaven but as with any major change you are bound for some pains along the way. The challenges make the journey even more worthwhile and the rewards sweeter. Your incremental steps towards this end shows your dedication to achieving the best sound. I myself am currently in limbo with a few projects all room related being put together. These include furniture and room treatments and LP storage. Home theater has a separate set of challenges that always conflict with 2 channel in terms of ergonomics and more. I am curious how you will attenuate the light from the GM70. Nice challenge ahead of you.

dgad

Obgyn,

Allow me to recommend getting a 2nd pair of speakers to get you through the time you have no music. Why not get a different type of speaker altogether. I am sure you will enjoy it. My system is actually down and driving me nuts, but I do have my old speakers (Hales). They were not worth selling. Unfortunately it is not a speaker problem and I don't have a spare for what is down.

Also, seeing the upgrade does not change the crossover to being visible and what appears to allow field upgrades in the future might make the upgrade less valuable for future upgrades. In that case your best alternative is to buy and sell or visa versa. We all have our dilemas.

On a different note, do you find the Playback Designs to be better on SACD to the EMM? If so in what ways. I am wondering if I do a power supply upgrade if it will get me closer. I would run a 2nd separate DAC for PC Audio, and keep the EMM. I know the PD does both but this would be a less expensive alternative.

dgad

Joey,

Any news on the highs of the X2.2? I know a bit about the mids. Did the highs improve?

Oneobgyn,

A dealer friend of mine who is very opinionated and not one to give compliments to high priced items easily, said the ML-3s are the best amps he ever heard in his life.

dgad

It should be like getting new speakers. All your mustic will sound brand new. Just like refreshing your music collection. Worth it.

dgad

I am excited based on what people have told me. You can play louder w. less sense of volume. This is due to reducing distortion. Wilson moving to a proprietary drivers will make a huge difference. ATC have a proprietary midrange which is what they are famous for. The dynamic ability of ATC w. less distortion is critical. I have recently become a strong believer in horns. It is just too expensive to execute well without shortcomings. But when they use TAD or field coil drivers they bypass a dynamic speakers ability to play without distortion & congestion at volume. Also the transient snap is improved. I love my Wilsons but after hearing what a well executed horn can do it makes me wonder. Mind you cost was 160K. I find the Wilson bass still excellent. But the highs & mids are lacking. If this is improved it will be a huge upgrade and worthwhile. I will say, with the horns I heard, full range orchestra had tremendous detail and a total lack of distortion. It also was a semiactive system. SS on the bass & a few watts on top. No horn color. Wilsons are probably the fastest dynamic speaker there is (maybe TADs or some actives are faster). If they reduce distortion & improve speed (actually it truly isn't possible to get that close due to the physics of the drivers) the gap will be reduced and we can have the best of both worlds.

dgad

Oneobgyn,

Thank you for the clarification. The upgrade sounds tempting. I guess 1 year more until Maxx IIs. The basic 4 year cycle. It probably won't end. The shipping will kill me is the problem.

I read Marc Review. I will give it a reread. I just know I need & use all my VTL 750s power at times. Sometimes I wish I had the Wotans.

dgad

Oneobgyn,

I was reading up on the X-2s. They are significantly more efficient than the Maxx IIs. Hence, I am wondering if in a large room the ML2.1s will be enough. Also, is the impedance the same or does it not have the dip of the other models? I hear the ML3s will be at CES working this year. Maybe, with the X-2s but no sure.

dgad

Oneobgyn,

I just heard the WP8 w. the Lamm 2.1s in the show today. Wonderful sound. Great control and dynamics for only 18 watts. I love the smoothness & naturalness of the sound. I have a better idea of what you have now. Got me thinking but the last drop of power (not really needed but nice to have) is missing (for WP8s). They were using full Lamm w. the Metronome CD player & Kubla Sosna cables.

I also heard the WP8s w. BAT. It was OK in comparison. A completely different presentation. VK150 SE monoblocks. No goosebumps but the room was much smaller.

dgad

A wonderful Valentines day!

dgad

Or worse, force you to postpone retirement.

dgad

Mmakshak & Oneobgyn,

Vinyl does not need a ton of money. Just the right synergy. One thing off and you need to start from scratch figuring out where you are going wrong. Not necessarily spending money.

What have I not liked? Nothing. What I have found is that the wrong arm, wrong cartridge & you are off. Right arm, right cartridge and no break in & you are off. Wrong phono stage and you are off. Etc etc. I would suggest purchasing a proven system that you have heard to start. Get it set up correctly & you will have wonderful enjoyable music.

Schroder, ZYX Universe w. Raven or Galiber is a guaranteed hit for many. Jade w. Ikeda or Walker TT is a hit. Phantom w. Titan or ZYX etc. We must judge from peoples experiences and their feedback to learn. But if your VTA is way off you will not be happy. I have had cartridges take over 200 hours to break in. And then you need to change your load, VTA, & VTF all over. When I do judge I always check the room dimensions and if the system is capable of low frequency performance. Too many people make conclusions without have a system that is full spectrum. How many times I have heard wonderful analogue on speakers that don't have bass. Then once setup on a full range system and you learn the shortcomings.

Oneobgyn. Your system will reveal all. You have no choice but to find a cartridge that excels full range.

On a personal note, I am curious about the Colibri but hear different experiences both extremely positive or negative from different people. Same w. the Dynavector and the Allaerts. The 2 in the above paragraph are better than CD/SACD for me. That was not always the case. But SACD can get very close.

dgad

Oneobgyn,

I myself have decided to avoid video other than a very basic system. This hobby is too much to go all the way on all ends. Now that LCDs are not expensive as before I just might bite. Funny I have SOTA analogue & CD but no hard disc system or flat panel video or projector. For me it is a decided sacrifice for now. I have a friend who did a projection & screen for under 2K. Something I need to see. I bet it is good enough for a "starter" system. Analogue gives me too much pleasure. It really fullfills the neurotic hobbyist side of me. I love the adjusting. I must say I have stopped adjusting as of recent. Too much risk in ruining a great thing. I finally have it all. Kind of scary. It just all snapped into place. It is either the tonearm / cartridge synergy or the final addition of the vibration isolation. My thinking is if you want to play go for analogue. It will take effort and occupy your time. If you want to set it & forget it go for video. You won't be able to adjust things as much (maybe I am wrong). Good luck either way.

dgad

Oneobgyn,

Once you add analogue you might 1, find again no end to the changes, 2 decide you need to upgrade your CD front end, 3 just forget about CD, 4 just be happy as you are now. Your safest bet would be to not do anything and be happy right now. I don't listen to my EMM Stack at all since going to Analogue. CD is "Car Only" music. There is a but there. Sometimes you just need to hear something only on CD that must go on some big speakers & sound almost there in the room.

dgad

Oneobgyn,

Do you find that the speakers are so revealing at times, that equipment that sounds good in some systems might sound very poor in your system. I am realizing that the speakers show it all for all your equipment and you can't have a weak link.

dgad

Oneobgyn,

I am curious as to your choice of cables. I hear great things about the Nordost. I am using Transparent REference MM speaker cables but want to get some interconnects. I am thinking Nordost, Stealth, Purist, Transparent or Siltech. What did you audition & why did you end up w Nordost? Any help is appreciated. I am very happy w. the Transparent but hear a lot about Siltech & Nordost.

dgad