This post is about powering the Alexia 2. I've tried about a dozen top-notch amps with these speakers. Hopefully, my experience will be of some value with Alexia Vs. Keep in mind, my sonic priorities lean more towards harmonic realism and richness.
Bronze medal. D'Agostino S-250. These solid state amps don't sound like solid state. They are very natural. I preferred the D'Agostino amp with a slightly warmer, richer preamp, like an Audio Research Ref 6 SE, or my VTL 7.5 III with RCA blackplates. And the bass is stunning! So Good!
Silver Medal. Lamm M 1.2 Reference. With Amperex Holland 6922's. Wholeness. Top to Bottom. Not the very highest in resolution. But So Musical. So good, that I kept a pair despite I found a superior amp. Will always hook them up with a party over. Rock the House. Still hooked up for hangover remedy after the party? No problem. Just play some Jazz.
Gold Medal. VTL S-400 II. I would have never kept them with stock tubes. The Lamms are better. But, find some NOS Mullards for voltage gain, some NOS RCA 12BH7 Blackplate drivers, and some new production Tung-Sol 6550s, and Magic. True Magic. So Life Like. So harmonically rich, but no exaggeration. After 40 years in high-end audio, I am truly satisfied. Now, I need to hear this amp with the Alexia V.
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!