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Amplifier for Wilson Audio Alexia V

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions!

Getting a new pair of Alexia V in early 2023 and trying to decide on a new amplifier for them.  Currently running Mark Levinson 33H monoblocks but given their age I'm assuming a new amp would be a better fit.

I'm trying to scale back the size of my audio rack so a stereo amp is preferred or maybe even an integrated amp. 

This system is also used for my main living area TV/Movie watching so I'm worried tubes wouldn't last very long otherwise I would include Audio Research and others

 

Options Level 1 $10k-$30k

McIntosh MC462, MA12000, MA9500 - House sound and good re-sale value

Luxman M-10X, L-507Z - seem to be trending right now

Pass Labs XA30.8 (not enough power?), XA larger units are all monoblocks - Class A could be too revealing or harsh with Wilsons?

Gryphon Diablo 300 - don't know much

 

Options Level 2 $30k+

Dan D'Agostino Progression S350 or Momentum S250 MxV - very popular and assume would be the best or very close to the best sound if the budget allows

Lamm M1.2 (I use to see Lamm at all the shows) 

darTZeel CTH-8550 Integrated 

Boulder 1160, 2160 (probably over budget)

 

Thank you everyone!

 

chauncey

Showing 1 response by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,615 posts
 

Pass Labs XA30.8 (not enough power?), XA larger units are all monoblocks - Class A could be too revealing or harsh with Wilsons?

@chauncey Whether an amp is revealing or not, harsh or not, has nothing to do with its class of operation, just so you know. The Alexia IME isn't a difficult speaker to drive but I think you are right that 30 Watts isn't enough power.

If you are pushing the amplifier hard, its likely to sound brighter and harsher no matter the class of operation. Its a good idea to have a bit too much power than not enough in that regard! You really want the amplifier's job of driving the speaker to have a lot in common with sitting on a park bench. Put another way, if the amplifier has to work hard for a living it will make more distortion and if sound quality is your goal this is a Bad Thing.

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