The
future of the Alexandria XLF
December
30, 2016
Marc,
When
you met with the Wilsons and heard the WAMM Master Chronosonic, did you asked them about future of
the Alexandria XLF? I don’t think it’ll be ceased,
but it might very well get a refresh, as Wilson purports to be making a number of driver
changes and adding new materials to their lineup.
Larry
Phillips
I
spoke with John Giolas, Wilson Audio's marketing director, about the Alexandria XLF, and
he indicated that an update is not in the works right now, but likely the WAMM MC will
sometime in the future "inform an all-new speaker." When you see the WAMM MC,
you realize also that the look of Wilson speakers is changing, moving away from the
somewhat blockier look of the Alexandria XLF. In my mind, that also signals that a new
speaker is probably coming. -Marc Mickelson
In
praise of Tim Aucremann
December
26, 2016
Marc,
I
just read the Lamm M1.2 Reference review and wanted to say, Where
has this Tim Aucremann guy been all these years? I have been an audiophile for 35 years
and his was one of the best-written and best-expressed reviews I have read. What a
wonderful writer. The way he put into words what matters to readers when discussing audio
equipment was articulate and really hit home.
Thanks
for having such a high-quality writer on your staff.
Stuart
Montaldo
Placement
of Magnepan 3.7i's
December
19, 2016
Marc,
I
took delivery of a new pair of Magnepan 3.7i speakers about three weeks ago. Initially, I
have placed the tweeters to the outside because I had read along the way that doing so
would provide a broader soundstage.
I
read with interest your review, in particular, your comments about being able
to hear the tweeters when placed to the outside. In my listening, I have experienced this
as well. I also find your comments about the disconnect between the treble and midrange to
be of interest. I am going to swap the speakers in a few minutes and look forward to some
critical listening.
I
wanted to take a minute and thank you for your comments. For what it is worth, I am using
the Classé Sigma processor and five-channel amp to drive the speakers. I am certainly no
expert at this stuff; I just love music and listening. I am questioning in the back of my
mind whether different components would radically improve the sound of the speaker.
Time
to go and move the speakers.
Mark
Bronder
Shunyata
and CAT?
December
12, 2016
Vance,
Thank
you for your review of the Shunyata Research Denali products.
Having a Convergent Audio Technology (CAT) SL1 Legend Black Path preamp and CAT stereo
amplifier, I am very interested in upgrading from my stock Essential Sound Products power
cords. The CAT manual reads, "Do not use filters or power conditioners," so I
was ready to get the new Essential Sound Products Reference-II cords and power distributor
to upgrade, but with your review I am very interested in Shunyata products and I would
like to know more. Did you have any downsides using the Shunyata power cords with your CAT
preamp? What about the Denali conditioners?
Cristiano
Berera
My
experience with the Convergent Audio Technology's SL1 Renaissance Black Path preamplifier
was to first replace the entry-level Essential Sound Products MusicCord that came with the
unit with a Shunyata Zi-Tron Alpha Analog power cord. Based upon what I heard, the Alpha
presentation of frequencies from top to bottom was more naturally integrated, but I would
characterize this as a fairly subjective conclusion. Moving from that cord to a Zi-Tron
Sigma Analog and then to a Sigma High Current left no doubt in my mind that the unit
benefited from each upgrade in terms of its already remarkable transparency and
"live" character. Bass became more textural and highs were more extended. I have
never compared the Shunyata power cords with the statement cords from Essential Sound
Products. For a detailed take on those cords, check out Marc Mickelson's review of them.
As
far as power conditioning is concerned, I don't want to contradict CAT designer Ken
Stevens, who knows a great deal more about preamplifiers than I ever will. However, I can
say that I've spoken to Ken about the great results I'm getting with the CAT SL1 hooked up
to the Denali. He's understandably skeptical but open to listening with his own, very
well-trained ears. I suggest auditioning Shunyata's Denali conditioners as well as their
power cords. Your system will tell you what sounds best. -Vance Hiner
Rega
burn-in
December
6, 2016
Vance,
I
recently read your review of the Rega Saturn-R CD player and purchased one a
few days ago. I was wondering if you’d answer a question for me a about the burn-in
procedure you used.
The
last player I bought was close to 20 years ago and I just connected and used it. There
seem to be as many opinions about the merits/necessity for burn-in as there are
audiophiles. I’d like to make sure I get the most out of the Rega when it arrives
next week.
Would
you be so kind as to explain the procedure you used? Did you just connect it and leave it
playing the same CD continuously with the amp and preamp off (except when you wanted to
listen to it) for a few weeks?
Thanks
for any information you are willing to provide.
Scott
Kalkin
While
burn-in is critically important, the Rega Saturn-R doesn't require quite as much exercise
as other digital components I've used. The good news for neighbors and loved ones is that
all CD players can be burned in with the rest of your system off.
Based
upon my experience and some advice I've gotten from several equipment designers, I
recommend using a variety of CDs for burn-in, especially those that exhibit a wide dynamic
range. In addition to music playback, I use IsoTek's Full System Enhancer &
Rejuvenation Disc because it really does shorten the burn-in process a bit and it's
one of the more moderately priced discs on the market. For the Saturn, I played the IsoTek
disc continuously for two days, followed by two days of music until the unit reached
around 200 hours. I think it's a good practice to stop playback for an hour or so every
few days just to give the transport mechanism a rest.
I
predict you'll hear more subtle but very rewarding improvements in dynamic range and bloom
for another few weeks after the initial ten days of burn-in. Finally, each of the
Saturn-R's digital inputs also will benefit from about five days of targeted burn-in time
if you plan on using those options. -Vance Hiner
Yvette
and Alexx
December
2, 2016
Marc,
So
which of you lucky guys are spending time with the Wilson Yvette and Alexx speakers? I am
very interested in reading what you hear.
Larry
Phillips
Dennis
Davis has the Yvettes. Both Roy Gregory and I have Alexxes, and Roy also has a pair of
Thor's Hammer subwoofers, which he'll drive with Naim Statement monoblocks. I will write the review of the Alexx and Roy
will do a follow-up blog on the whole monstrous system that has invaded his room -- some
real audio tonnage, in the best possible sense. -Marc Mickelson
TAB's
reader list
December
1, 2016
Marc,
Please add me to the reader list.
Carl
Grant III
You're
on the list. For others, send e-mail to rl@theaudiobeat.com to join the reader e-mail list
and find out about new articles on TAB first. -Marc Mickelson
