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.
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    • 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

Owner
BTW Michael for the money those Sophias are absolutely terrific.

Enjoy them because after all this is what this hobby is all about

oneobgyn

solid advice, i will audition other tubes with a little more power. probably hovland sapphire in mono config or BATs.

thank you for taking the time to respond.

michaeltran647

Owner
"Absolutely one of the best setup I’ve seen. Can you elaborate more on the LAMM/X2 sound? I am considering a lower Tube amp (Nagra) myself and am concern of the lack of power."

Hi Michael

Thank you for your kind comments.

Switching from the Audio Research Reference 600 Mk lll amps at 600 wpc to the Lamm ML 2.1 SET's at 18 wpc was a nail biter for me because I worried as to how the Lamm amp would drive my large X-2 Alexandria speakers. I did a lot of research, talking to many members of my audio club as well as to my friends at Wilson Audio and to Marc Mickelson at http://www.soundstage.com who wrote a review of the Lamm Ml 2.1's driving the MAXX ll's. The Maxx ll's are rated at 92 Db and they run just fine with these amps. The X-2 is rated at 95 Db and therefore much more efficient. I also spoke to Vladimir Lamm who reassured me that the amp would perform well with my speaker. I bought it and the rest is history. Suffice it to say it has brought me to where I want to be. I see no reason at the present time to switch amps. It will play at ear bleeding levels with plenty of head room. The mid range and highs are simply superb.I intend to do some resarch on my own now with tube rolling to see what else can be exacted from the system

Looking at your gear I see that you are running Sophias. I have talked to Marc Mickelson about this and although the amp will drive your speaker rated at 89Db, it may not provide exactly what you want and you might be disappointed. Best advice would be to audition the amp with your speaker to see if you are happy.

oneobgyn

YES MONEY - NO SOUND !!!!!

oldiesrecordstr

I have heard good things about Meitner digital stuff from other people, also. I swear I saw Ori touch my RCA plug with his fingers(on the X-2 interconnects that I bought), and even though I have 100% deoxit and 100% pro-gold and have Ori's blessing to try them, I haven't yet because the sound is so good(It would require me turn off my amps.).

mmakshak

Owner
Greg--it would be my pleasure to meet you and sit you in the sweet spot

I have owned only Wilson for the past 10 years

Started with WP 5.1's, WP 6's, MAXX l's, X-1 Series 3 and now X-2's
I also have the XS as well as the WATCH center, surround and rear. Needless to say I love what he makes. he has enriched my audio pleasures in a way no other manufacturer has.

oneobgyn

Doc- I hope to take you up on that visit one day. The Sterophile show is in LA in July. I am sure I will not be disappointed. You are in a growing club as more and more reviewers and manufactures own wilson.

gregadd

Owner
"It's fun to pick on Wilson Audio. When we spend this much we don't usually want neutral sound. We want something that knocks our socks off."

It is fun to pick on Wilson but for me it is like water running off a duck's back. Over the past 10 years I have owned just about every speaker Dave has made except for the WAMM. For me the culmination of my 33 years in this hobby is to own the X-2 which for "my" ears is the finest speaker I have ever heard. As I have said previously, this speaker has brought me to audio nirvana. It is now finally time for me to kick back, put my feet up and to enjoy the music.

"We usually want analog."

Greg I really agree and have agonized about getting back into vinyl. It has been many years BUT I must say that I am just so happy with the Meitner gear that every time I listen to it, and even though I know it isn't analog, the sound to me (at least) is just so good that it is as close to vinyl as the real thing.

"We want somethig that knocks our socks off"

My mantra in this hobby has always been "it is all about "my" ears and "my" wallet. Trust me when I tell you that IMO it "will" knock your socks off.

Any time you are in the SF Bay area I would be only to happy to entertain you. Now just take a deep breath and put the Dave Wilson bashing aside

oneobgyn

Owner
"Thanks again for being so generous and letting me fiddle with cables in this highly-polished system. It was a very enjoyable listening session, definitely because of the system itself but no less thanks to the host!!!"

Serus

The pleasure was all mine. I not only enjoyed meeting you but also to have learned from your many suggestions regarding my system. More than anything else however I was intrigued with the opportunity to audition your own cables in my system against my much beloved Valhalla. Simply put, I was stunned as to how good they were. I could not believe that your X-2 cable single ended performed as good as it did. Your perceptions of how it sounded in my system as well as it against my Valhalla were identical to mine. I have been involved in this hobby for over 30 years and am never so set in my ways that I am resistant to change. As a result I cannot wait to get the two pair of X-2 interconnects that I ordered from you into my system as well as to also hear your speaker cables. I am still amazed at how a cable such as yours equals or betters my Valhalla at 1/4 to 1/5 of the MSRP.

I would say to all of those contenders who stand at the top of the heap such as Valhalla, Opus, Kubala-Sosna etc to stand up and take notice because there is a new kid on the block who has all of you in his sights.

To any who read this post and who are serious audiophiles, take it from me and give Ori a call and audition this X-2 cable because if he has any brains or savvy when it comes to marketing he is going to recognize very quickly that these cables are way underpriced when it comes to what the market will bear.

oneobgyn

Absolutely one of the best setup I’ve seen. Can you elaborate more on the LAMM/X2 sound? I am considering a lower Tube amp (Nagra) myself and am concern of the lack of power.

Any words of wisdom will ease my mind…

michaeltran647

well doctor this of course remains one of my favorite systems to look at,but the jury is still out on the sound. It's fun to pick on Wilson Audio. When we spend this much we don't usually want neutral sound. We want somethig that knocks our socks off. We usually want analog.
As I said once before it takes courage to buy a neutral system. And the Wilson's are neutral.

Maybe too neutral. Maybe the Wilson's are overpriced. I will never own them. I still believe that since you can own anything you want,your purchase of the Wilson's deserve some deference. I say this because I visited a store this weekend and they were being driven by vtl siegfrieds sp? It's funny becasue Infinty was almost out of the highend business before I realized they were one of the best speakers I ever heard. Maybe one day I will make my peace with the Wilson's. Happy listening!

gregadd

As a few have noted above, oneobgyn is a real generous person and one very serious music lover!
I had the pleasure to visit his home and listen to this wonderful system. It was evident right from the start that this system has evolved and blue-printed with meticulous care, and the results are quite dramatic. The big Wilsons turned out to be well-behaved puppies... The 18 watts of pure SET power were sufficient for sane listening levels, i.e. anything less than arena concerts... It was very surprising to hear the very loud bass with so little power that it's hard to imagine the need for the XS sub, other than "special effects" in action movies maybe.
The Lamm is a wonderful amp and it really produces "illuminated" sonic reality from the mids up. This is SET "magic" at its best. If I were to nitpick, I'd fault the bass precision - but not level. In audio, everything is a compromise, and this Lamm/Wilson combo sets a real high bar in sonic realism, and more important - musicality!
The Meitner set is a wonderful source. I've heard the dCS stack and other top-notch contenders and the Meitner might just be the number one among greats. It produces a very detailed sound that is very "organic". Singers come out human and the soundstage is a live set, with warmth of presence. I'm just lost with words to describe the emotional connection when you listen to Starker's "Kol Nidrei" on one end of the scale and Cowboy Junkies "Helpless" on the other, and both lift your toes a few inches off the floor... You're just lost in the musical event, and that is the best compliment any system can ever hope to receive!
Is it like rea-life? No.
Is it perfect? Heck no... We are all nuts in this hobby and we KNOW that tomorrow we shall find something better. But if one is to put things in perspective, I can understand why oenobgyn wants to stop the upgrade madness and just enjoy the music. For many people this system would mark the end of the road!!!

Just a small correction for those interested in the X-2 cables. They are offered in small numbers and you can follow the (ancient...) info on my actual web site:
http://members.ispwest.com/orim/audio/x-1.html

Thanks again for being so generous and letting me fiddle with cables in this highly-polished system. It was a very enjoyable listening session, definitely because of the system itself but no less thanks to the host!!!

serus

Owner
Today I had the pleasure of meeting Ori Mizrahi-Shalom the owner and genius behind Oritek. He lives an hour south of me in San Jose. He was interested in hearing his X-1 and X-2 cables in my system and to compare them to my beloved Nordost Valhalla which I have always felt were the perfect cable for my ears and my system.

Suffice it to say I was somewhat skeptical when Ori made the suggestion as first and foremeost I am not big on pulling cables as I feel it takes many days subsequently to restore the dielectric in one's system.

However I was up to the challenge. We listened initially with my system and all Valhalla and then switched to his entry level cable, the X-1. I found it to be very musical but very subdued and leaving me somewhat lacking. Then Ori switched to his X-2 and instantly the system lit up. These cables truly shine with detail and dynamics. ori is truly onto something in the production of this cable. He described to me how the cable is made and essentially that it takes one whole day to make a one meter pair of X-2. My only comment to him was that for a cable as good as this he is pricing them far below what I feel the market would dictate.

This is a new and upstart company around now for only one year but already Ori has wonderful plans to grow this company into something great. I wish him only success and good luck. I have been involved in this hobby for 33 years and have owned just about every high end cable made. To have heard this X-2 cable which will have an introductory price for a one meter pair of 1/5 that of a one meter pair of Valhalla gives me pause to reflect.

Not that I am planning to sell my Valhalla cables but I would suggest to any out there who read this and is looking for the stereo bargain of the century to be in touch with Ori and to audition his X-2. IMO it is truly one of the best I have heard. One could do a whole lot worse and at this price it should be listened to.

Here is a link to his company

http://www.10audio.com/oritek_X-1.htm

oneobgyn

Owner
"do you still use the Tara Labs the One PCs on your front end ? Your system description says so.

For many years I used all Tara cables throughout my system including their top of the line The Omega speaker cables, The Zero interconnect and The One AC Power cords. I felt that I had the ultimate system until a close friend of mine loaned me some Valhalla interconnect and speaker cables. From that time it was simply no contest and I switched to Valhalla. I kept many Tara The One AC power cords until Nordost released their Valhalla AC Power cords which do not come cheap but having switched I can say that they lit up my system--very revealing, very transparent. It seems that nothing is missing from the music. I have since sold all but one of my Tara The One power cords. Presently I use one with a 20 amp termination that connects from my Sound Application line stage to a dedicated 20 amp AC wall socket.

BTW all of the circuits in my room are dedicated lines--12 in all.
My amps are each plugged into its own 30 amp circuit using single stranded 6 gauge Romex wire grounded at the street.

oneobgyn

wow! I guess you are right where you want to be . Who woulnd't? Enjoy!

jacovsky

Oneobgyn -> do you still use the Tara Labs the One PCs on your front end ? Your system description says so.

If you had already changed to Valhalla, could you describe the sonic diferences between those two PSs ?

elberoth2

Owner
"Also on the Sound Application linestage did you try any other power conditioners before?

Over the years I have had many different ones in my system, the most recent being the Tara Labs AD/10B which I felt to be excellent until I met Jim Weil, the owner of Soundapplication, who at the time had his business not too far from where I live. After several phone conversations with Jim who promised me a personal demo in my system, I decided it was worth the opportunity. Jim brought over his linestage and we did several hours of A/B comparison between my Taralabs and his product. The result was more than compelling. The clincher that we kept coming back to was "Hotel California" from The Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" album. The "shakers" heard in the background of the song were barely audible using the Tara Labs product whereas they were dramatically presnt using Jim's product. Needless to say, I bought it and have never been happier. I know that there are many others in the market but for me and my ears, I doubt that I will ever part with this one as it is truly as good as the reviews.

The other caveat is that every piece is hand made by Jim personally and designed by his wife who is an electrical engineer and graduate of the Naval Academy. He personally burns each piece in for at least 60 hours before it leaves his shop. Need I say more?

oneobgyn

Owner
"Have you tried the SRA stands designed for Meitner gear below yours at home? If so, then your views."

Hi Neville...

I have not tried the SRA stands in my system. I am sure that they are fine however I must state in all candor that my Zoethecus stands together with the Aurios Pro MIB are in a league of their own. I have Aurios under both my DAC6e as well as CDSD and absolutely find nothing lacking. To any that are interested I would offer up the Aurios as an absolutely superlative method of sound decoupling.

At some point one must kick back and enjoy the music and that is where I am at. The Wilson X-2 Alexandria IMO is in a different league than any other speaker in the market at the present time

oneobgyn

I recommend these two products because I don't think a person will regret the purchase or worry about what else they need, because something is missing. Geography plays a part, I believe(I live close to both manufacturers). I got the cheapest Oritek X-2 offered, because I wouldn't have paid any more for an interconnect. Coors and a vacation interacted, I'm sure. I just don't think that one can go wrong with these two products. I love a debate, though. How else can you learn? I'm not really recommending these to people that have a well setup, let's say, single-ended system-just to people who are on their way to something equivalent to that.

mmakshak

Hi OB,
Have you tried the SRA stands designed for Meitner gear below yours at home? If so, then your views.
Also on the Sound Application linestage did you try any other power conditioners before?
If you don't wish to comment publicly on any of the above, I do understand.
Rgds,
Neville
[email protected]

nevillekapadia

Owner
Mmakshak

Thank you for your comments.

No I have not tried the Oritek X-2 interconnects but I have tried pretty much every high end cable in my system before I found the glue that melds my system----specifically Nordost Valhalla. In my room, with my gear and for my ears simply put there is just no better cable than Nordost Valhalla. If there is a better cable, quite honestly I am just not interested. At some point we all have to kick back and listen to the music and enjoy what we have. For me I have reached audio Nirvana with what I have now.

I am interested in you however, because a search of EVERY thread to which you have posted always involves your interjection of Oritek X-2 interconnects and Nuforce amps. What is this all about? Are you a dealer or owner of these companies?

oneobgyn

You have a super high-end system. I would be interested in your opinion of the Oritek X-2 interconnects.

mmakshak

Owner
Wc_john

Thank you for your kind comments. It was indeed a fun afternoon and a pleasure to host you finally. The last time you were at my house was at a time when I was between amps, having just sold my ARC Ref 600 Mk lll's. I was awaiting delivery of the new Lamm ML 2.1's. Boy was I scared to see how they would perform with the X-2's. I just couldn't imagine how an amp at 18 wpc could run those huge 15" drivers on the X-2's and sound remotely musical. I had e-mails from other owners of X-2's suggesting I would regret it as there would never be enough power. I had always liked Vladimir's demo room at CES every year and felt that there could be some synergy between speakers and amps. The people at Wilson Audio told me that they had no doubts that the amp would perform most adequately and several of them in fact had just ordered the amp for their personal use.

Many doubters told me that the bass slam that I had before would be non existant and that the speakers would sound anemic with these amps.

Nonetheless I had always wanted an SET amp and after much research the following statement taken off line defines clearly the beauty of an SET and that to me at least represented audio nirvana. Here is the quote....
"The zero-feedback single-ended triode amplifier has gained a following from music lovers who feel that high-quality sound reproduction at natural levels is more important than reproduction at loud levels. To these listeners, midrange quality is more important than room-shaking bass."

Having listened to these amp in my system now for almost 6 months I can whole heartedly endorse the above statement. IMO the Lamm ML 2.1 is simply the most musical amp that I have ever heard. It never ceases to bring a smile to my face after a listening session or to watch the look on the faces of friends and fellow audiophiles who have taken the opportunity to have a listen as well. People look sheepish as they ask me "is that truly 18 watts?" In all of the past 6 months I have only made these amps clip once. I continue to listen at very high levels and find there to be plenty of head room when listening. There is plenty of bass to keep all listeners so far engaged in the music with a toe tapping experience.

I had vacillated about the Lamm L2 preamp feeling that there would be a synergy with it and the amps in my system but after an audition at my house several months ago I felt that my ARC Ref 3 bested it in every way and I stayed with the Ref 3 for which I have absolutely no regrets. I just find that it imparts an amazing warmth and soundstage to my system that I would find difficult if not impossible with which to part.

Welcome to our BAAS and I look forward to future meetings with you. I am hoping that your club (the Bay Area Audiophile Society) can have a joint meeting with my club (the Bay Area Audio Society)sometime soon.

oneobgyn

Having listened to your system last weekend, my most profound observation is that after the first demo track, I stopped trying to critique the system in the usual audiophile terms. I just sat back and reveled in the absolutely incredible sound. As with live music, your system allows you to have much more than a glimpse into the mind of the artist and what the artist is trying to convey, and that’s what this hobby is really about. The Lamms may 'only' have 18 watts, but they are certainly 18 magical, why-would-you-ever-want-any-more watts. Interesting new music, great conversation, and such a gracious host. Thanks OB, see you at some future BAAS event.

wc_john

Owner
Brdsmith

Thank you for your kind comments

It was my pleasure to not only have met you but to have welcomed you as a member of our Bay Area Audio Society (BAAS). You were able to hear a totally digital system at my house in the afternoon and then back to grellberg's house in the evening to hear a truly magnificent analog system.Opening our home to fellow audiophiles is what we truly enjoy most. For all of us in the BAAS we welcome you as a member and look ahead to future events. The enjoyment of music is what it is all about.

oneobgyn

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