What amplification are you using with your Wilson speakers ?

[NOA]

I have a pair of Wilson MAXX 3 and run them with an Absolare Signature Integrated.
Best sound so far, former amps I had used are:

- Cello Performance II monoblocs (beautiful musical sounding amps with astonishing transients and melt, but they went old and faulty, unfortunately...)
- ML 532 monoblocs (for some weeks only and no contest really, just kind of controlled sound and no 3D far as I remember)
- Spectral DMA 360 series 2 monoblocs

Bottom line the Absolare Signature Integrated beats them all.
Just kind of strange coming from monoblocs for a decade going 'back' to an integrated amp...



Happy listening
NOA

 

[Birdwatcher]

Any Wilson user with well constructed tube amps in the range of 50-100W, such as Zanden 9600 or other amps here?

NOA, do you still have the Absolare/MAXX3 system?

 

[dbeau]

Any Wilson user with well constructed tube amps in the range of 50-100W, such as Zanden 9600 or other amps here?

NOA, do you still have the Absolare/MAXX3 system?

I am running 2x mono Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HPs using HT150 tubes with great results.
They replaced ARC REF 210 monos and, IMO, sound better. Great build quality.
BTW, speakers are Wilson Grand Slamm X1v3

 

[Axel C]

I’ve been using Wilson Watt Puppy 7 with Pass XA25/XP22 as well as the First Watt SIT3 and Pass X350.8. Digital via Denefrips Terminator Plus (streaming thru a Bluesound Node 2i; analog via a Linn LP12 Klimax (Exstatik cart.) and assortment of Audioquest & Linn interconnects/power cords, and Transparent Ultra speaker cables. Room is 22’ x 22’ with a A-frame ceiling (centered on axis) that peaks at 24’.

In a nutshell, the Wilson/Pass combo is superb and the speaker’s efficiency allows excellent performance from the 18-wpc SIT3, which is by quite a margin the most satisfying of the three amplifiers. Only limited by moderate volume levels via digital input (the LP12 has considerable more gain), 18 watts goes a long way and the warmth, detail, and transparency are top notch. At the other end, the 350.8’s only benefit is at elevated volume levels with rock/pop or anything where LOUD is an essential element of the experience. By comparison, it’s essentially unlistenable with jazz/vocals/insteumental music at moderate or lower volumes next to the SIT. The XA25 is the happy compromise, with adequate power for all but the most demanding all-out rock outs, while still very satisfying across all genres.

Despite being over 15 years old, the WP7 remains and extraordinary and competitive speaker for its size and an outstanding match with Pass/First Watt.

 

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

I always heard glorious sound when Wilsons were paired with Ypsilon Electronics amplification. My WP7 went to different level with the Aelius II mono blocks. The Integrated Phaethon Silver Edition was outstanding as well, saving some space.

 

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

Currently, for the WP7, I am using Concert Fidelity electronics, with the mono blocks being 125W each. Excellent sound and can be found at bargain prices in the used market. I believe, but not tested yet, the Accuphase A-300 monos @ 120W will do an outstanding job and are worth listening. Actually, I am considering to replace the amps with the new Accuphase A-80 @ 60W/ch, Class A. I have been left speechless in my tests with other speakers that are not nearly as sensitive as the WP7. Best, Basile

 

[gadawg58]

As of tonight I’m driving my Alexx’s with a pair of VAC Statement 452iq’s and all I can say is WOW! They certainly have a firm grip on these speakers while being incredibly detailed with just a hint of tube sweetness in the midrange. The Bass is up there with the best with maybe the exception of a few of the very best solid state amps. The soundstage is huge with these amps in all directions while maintaining pinpoint focus of images. I’m sure the VAC Statement Preamp helps as well! No issues with these tubes driving Alexx at all.

George

 

[Charles S]

I'm driving my XVX with MC3500 MKII's. I use the 2 ohm-tap. My bass is amazing. I have a seamless blend between my Thor using a MC2.1KW and my XVX using my 3500's. To my ears my bass is perfect. I'm all tube after my Hi FI Rose RS130 Network Transport. The sonics are amazing.

Charles

Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest

Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW Anniversary
Preamp: C-12000 Anniversary
Sources: MCD12000 Anniversary; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; Lenovo Yoga laptop
Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX
Sub-Woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover
Cables Main System AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital, Coffee digital coaxial cables; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon (5 HC, 3 source cords); Thunder & Monsoon power cords
Cables Subwoofer System AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC to ActivXO; Hurricane HC; Firebird HC; Firebird Source; Dragon HC, power cords
Power Conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000; Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines.
Streaming System: Hi Fi Rose 130RS Network Transport; Samsung internal SSD; Audioquest Wel Signature digital balanced 1-meter IC; Audioquest Diamond 1.5-meter USB cable; Audioquest Dragon 2-meter source power cord; HDMI cable 24’ for music videos
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD)
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes

 

[Secretariat]

Wilson Audio Sasha V Speakers? Audio Research Reference 6 SE Pre Amplifier and Gryphon Audio Antileon Evo Monoblock Amplifiers

 

[dbeau]

20+ yr old Wilson Audio Grand Slamm X1v3 using Westminster Lab amps

 

[Al Stewart]

I have driven Wilson Audio Alexx (v.1) speakers with two different amplifiers. Initially, I drove them with Jeff Rowland Design Group Model 925 monoblocks. I then switched to a CH Precision M10 stereo amplifier. Both combinations sound very good—but very different from one another. Both amplifiers are quiet. However, the CH Precision M10 is quieter. For what it’s worth, the CHP M10 can easily drive the Alexx v.1, even through the 1.5 ohm impedance @ 2850 Hz that exists per the WA Alexx spec sheet.My experience has been that the M10 handles Wilson Alexx v.1 speakers without breaking a sweat.

 

[Charles S]

I have found that I must drive my XVX using the 2-ohm tap. First, it sounds better. The bass is amazing. Second, the amp (3500) is not stressed and I can achieve extremely high sound levels sound using only a little over 35 watts /ch in my room. Third, if I use the 4-ohm tap the amp runs hotter, doesn't sound as good, and will blow a tube occassionally.

 

[microstrip]

The best amplifier I have listened in my room with the XLF's are the VTL Siegfried II's. Curiously I preferred them with the Audio Research Reference Anniversary preamplifler to the VTL 7.5 III .

 

[Charles S]

i know these amps you guys are mentioning are fantastic. However, I wouldn't trade my 3500's for them. It is much more powerful than its rated 350 watts/ch, has a S/N ratio of 120 dB, and .3% distortion 20- 20K. When Mcintosh publishes its specifications, unlike many manufactureres a 3500 will meet or exceed them. In the case of the 3500, it will easily do 500 wats/ch according to McIntosh. It's extremely compact and weighs only 121 pounds. I have each of mine set on four Wilson Heavies Pedestals. The legendary Mcintosh engineer Ron Evans came out of retirement to spend two years designing the 3500 MKII. No on has ever been able to duplicate the McIntosh output transformer needed to execute the unity coupled circuit. The 3500 is as quiet as any solid state high powered amp.It's a classic McIntosh tube power amp very similar to the original 3500, contaning no transistors in the signal path. This can't be said of many modern tube power amps.

 

[LL21]

Wilson XLF with Robert Koda K160 Monos (235 Watts Pure Class A into 4ohm load). This came off the back of 12 years of Gryphon pure Class A amps into the Wilson X1 and the XLF.