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Paragon Sight and Sound, one of, if not the largest Wilson Audio dealers in the country, premiered the brand new $109,000 Alexx speakers at this year’s Axpona show. In addition, Paragon Sight and Sound was named the official authorized dealer Wilson Audio for the Chicago market. Having been to the grand reopening of Larry Marcus’ store Ann Arbor back in November of 2015 to present on reel-to-reel tape, Chicago audiophiles and Wilson Audio are in good hands.
Rounding out the super system was Nick Doshi's newest line of electronics including his 180 wpc Doshi Audio V3.0 KT150-based monoblock tube amplifiers ($29,000), the Doshi V3.0 line and V3.0 phono stage ($16,999 each). No expense was spared either when it to selecting the front-end sources. On the digital end, the newly released DCS 2.0 Vivaldi stack ($115,000) was playing back digital files including some new piano, organ and percussion recordings from Peter McGrath. On the analog front, the Brinkman Balance turntable ($22,000) plus Ront power supply ($4190), 12.1 arm ($5890) and Koetsu Azule Platinum cartridge ($10,995) played back those not quite yet obsolete 12-inch black discs (see http://positive-feedback.com/Issue77/koetsu_azule.htm) while a Studer 807 reel-to-reel machine outfitted with Flux Magnetics extended response heads along with Nick’s outstanding V3.0 tape preamp module ($16,999) handled 15-ips, reel-to-reel tape. Cabling was courtesy of and included all top-of-the line Transparent Audio Opus cabling.
In addition, Larry hosted a evening Q&A and listening session with Dave Wilson. Dave discussed his and son Daryl’s underlying design philosophy and decisions that went into the building of the new Alexx speakers (this makes four speakers in four years for Wilson Audio with one still in wings).
Some of the highlights from Dave’s presentation.
First, it’s hard to believe that Wilson Audio has been in high-end audio business going on 42 years. Next—and slightly off topic-- the Wilson Audio WAMM Magnus Opus are after almost four years in research and development nearing completion (anyone who ever heard the original WAMMs has to be curious about this new all out effort!). Dave has the sound he wants; now what’s left is nailing down the final pieces to the puzzle. Third, the new Alexx’s are definitely no lightweights when it comes to either sound or weight. Each speaker tips the scales at 452 pounds per channel.
Now for some of the more salient points on the Alexx’s design. Dave and Daryl worked tirelessly to work on the speaker’s settling time, resolution of low level information as well as the ability to move between dynamic levels in their newest speaker effort. This included refining the materials used in speaker enclosures. The speaker enclosures are primarily fashioned from the latest version of X-material but the midrange baffles use S-material. In addition, the Alexx uses a new third material specifically developed for the WAMM project—W-material—that combines extreme rigidity with good damping characteristics. The W-material is used in midrange module transfer point in the Alexx array superstructure to optimize the coupling of the midrange module to the cabinet. (It is painted a special silver to designate its role as Wilson’s latest foray into cutting edge composites). In addition, two drivers handle the midrange frequencies putting less stress on the tweeter. Now the Alexx does has one dip in its frequency response at 2.5 K to 1.5 ohms but Dave added it comes with a +8 degree phase angle that is inductive rather than capacitive and thus easier for amplifiers to handle. Finally, the new speaker employs the new bass drivers developed for the forthcoming WAMMs giving the speaker better and deeper low end response than the MAXX.
How did the super system sound? Well despite some room issues say in the upper bass area (I remember what Tidal importer Doug White ripping his hair out trying to get his speakers to sound good in this room the year before), attendees certainly got a glimpse of the sound of this new Wilson Audio product. Big. Dynamic. Quiet. Resolving. Effortless. Not to mention, most attendees were amazed that a lowly tube amplifier could drive these Wilson speakers! But the Doshi V3.0 is no ordinary tube amplifier either. I for one, definitely want to hear the new Alexx’s under better circumstances because I don’t think we came close to hearing the capabilities of these new Wilson Audio speakers!
Rounding out the super system was Nick Doshi's newest line of electronics including his 180 wpc Doshi Audio V3.0 KT150-based monoblock tube amplifiers ($29,000), the Doshi V3.0 line and V3.0 phono stage ($16,999 each). No expense was spared either when it to selecting the front-end sources. On the digital end, the newly released DCS 2.0 Vivaldi stack ($115,000) was playing back digital files including some new piano, organ and percussion recordings from Peter McGrath. On the analog front, the Brinkman Balance turntable ($22,000) plus Ront power supply ($4190), 12.1 arm ($5890) and Koetsu Azule Platinum cartridge ($10,995) played back those not quite yet obsolete 12-inch black discs (see http://positive-feedback.com/Issue77/koetsu_azule.htm) while a Studer 807 reel-to-reel machine outfitted with Flux Magnetics extended response heads along with Nick’s outstanding V3.0 tape preamp module ($16,999) handled 15-ips, reel-to-reel tape. Cabling was courtesy of and included all top-of-the line Transparent Audio Opus cabling.
In addition, Larry hosted a evening Q&A and listening session with Dave Wilson. Dave discussed his and son Daryl’s underlying design philosophy and decisions that went into the building of the new Alexx speakers (this makes four speakers in four years for Wilson Audio with one still in wings).
Some of the highlights from Dave’s presentation.
First, it’s hard to believe that Wilson Audio has been in high-end audio business going on 42 years. Next—and slightly off topic-- the Wilson Audio WAMM Magnus Opus are after almost four years in research and development nearing completion (anyone who ever heard the original WAMMs has to be curious about this new all out effort!). Dave has the sound he wants; now what’s left is nailing down the final pieces to the puzzle. Third, the new Alexx’s are definitely no lightweights when it comes to either sound or weight. Each speaker tips the scales at 452 pounds per channel.
Now for some of the more salient points on the Alexx’s design. Dave and Daryl worked tirelessly to work on the speaker’s settling time, resolution of low level information as well as the ability to move between dynamic levels in their newest speaker effort. This included refining the materials used in speaker enclosures. The speaker enclosures are primarily fashioned from the latest version of X-material but the midrange baffles use S-material. In addition, the Alexx uses a new third material specifically developed for the WAMM project—W-material—that combines extreme rigidity with good damping characteristics. The W-material is used in midrange module transfer point in the Alexx array superstructure to optimize the coupling of the midrange module to the cabinet. (It is painted a special silver to designate its role as Wilson’s latest foray into cutting edge composites). In addition, two drivers handle the midrange frequencies putting less stress on the tweeter. Now the Alexx does has one dip in its frequency response at 2.5 K to 1.5 ohms but Dave added it comes with a +8 degree phase angle that is inductive rather than capacitive and thus easier for amplifiers to handle. Finally, the new speaker employs the new bass drivers developed for the forthcoming WAMMs giving the speaker better and deeper low end response than the MAXX.
How did the super system sound? Well despite some room issues say in the upper bass area (I remember what Tidal importer Doug White ripping his hair out trying to get his speakers to sound good in this room the year before), attendees certainly got a glimpse of the sound of this new Wilson Audio product. Big. Dynamic. Quiet. Resolving. Effortless. Not to mention, most attendees were amazed that a lowly tube amplifier could drive these Wilson speakers! But the Doshi V3.0 is no ordinary tube amplifier either. I for one, definitely want to hear the new Alexx’s under better circumstances because I don’t think we came close to hearing the capabilities of these new Wilson Audio speakers!
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