I just heard the Wilson Alexandria XLF's Wednesday

HI Johnnyb53

Have you heard IRS V, ML Statements or the big Genesis speakers? There is another forum where this debate has just kicked off...and many have said they preferred these line source or super-big panel speakers to the mighty Wilsons. Just curious if you've heard them and what you thought. thanks.

So i was (very kindly) invited to the introduction of the new XLF...superb room...D'Agostino Momentum monos...Kalista Ref CD player, ARC Ref 5SE preamp...Transp Opus MM2 Cabling throughout. On the face of it...a superb system and one to be reckoned with. Here's my view of the experience:

- Supreme 'density of signal'...greater by a 'meaningful margin' than Audio Exotics room in Hong Kong (Tidal Sunrays with 2 Tidal tower subs, 3 sets of Tidal Impact monos, Tidal Presencio, Stahl-Tek Vekian, Argento Master Ref cabling, Tripoint grounding/AC).
- This is where i think newer electronics have come a long way (and good speakers thought not necessarily 'the newest ones'...older SOTA is still amazing)...in being able to take the signal and through substantially lower noise floors, more exacting detail retreival...really are able to deliver a very strong, focused, concrete music signal. Older electronics...mainly digital...tend to deliver a 'weaker music signal'...almost like a flashlight where the batteries are getting low.
- On this system...it was like brand new lightbulb and batteries and flashlight. Very impressive.

- Better bass than i recall with X2 Series 2...but that's not a definitive statement because too many variables. What I CAN say for sure, is that this XLF will NOT replace any well setup X2 Series with a good sub. That is not close.

sound on tracks i know extremely well was 'a bit shouty'...which surprised me. I am going to give the system the benefit of the doubt and say there were probably more than a few new components...most likely the Ref 5 SE, as well as of course the speakers, and possibly the Momentums and speaker cables.
- By 'shouty' i mean that even on Amos Lee...on whom Norah Jones does background vocals so you get the idea...his voice felt a little like he was singing/shouting. And that was not the only track where i felt this touch of slightly raw overpowering force.
- Based on what i understand about the new tweeter, and what i already know about the X2, X2 Series 2 and likely the XLF mids, i might point at the Momentum monos which i have heard are 'slightly harder' than the stereo version. I am familiar with the Kalista, Ref 5 (non SE), Transp cables and the X-1, X2 series, so that is my guess.

i appreciate the opportunity to hear it, having heard the Audio Exotics Room last year with similar/same music. Feel free to ask/PM for any other observations.

Himiguel,

I would appreciate your thoughts on the Stahl-Tek Opus...i heard the AE room with Stahl-Tek, and tried to 'dissect' what i think the Stahl-Tek was doing...i have a sense.

But my reference (for tonality and musical cohesive presentation) is Zanden, and it is very difficult to make that precise a comparison in a vacuum. I DO know i prefer Zanden to DCS Scarlatti, Wadia...even though the latest digital is more detailed with lower noise floor...i still prefer the musical cohesiveness of the Zanden and its pure tonality.

Lets put it this way...of all the digital i have ever heard (incl Metronome Kalista Ref with C2A, DCS SCarlatti, wAdia s7, Esoteric X01SE, Emm CDSA, ARC CD5, 7, 8, Krell 505, Weiss Medea)...Zanden is my favorite...but the only one i might consider upgrading to is STahl-Tek Opus.

Any thoughts on how you might compare Stahl-Tek Opus is GREATLY appreciated!!!

As a personal opinion, I agree with Oneobgyn who has posted elsewhere...i would take the Series 2 plus well set up subs over the XLF.

The subs make a tremendous difference...and pretty much all the owners of X1s/X2s i have spoken to use either: JL Gothams, Velodynes or the Wilson Thor.

Himiguel,

Totally agree...change one thing and be prepared for lots of follow-on implications on the rest of the system.

How can i contact you outside of this thread?

HI Sacman,

Just saw your system...pretty amazing! I actually think your system is pretty amazing and am not 100% convinced having heard the Sasha numerous times and the D'Agostino monos that it is as much of an upgrade over what you have.

Will the D'Agostino's present a more refined treble and mid? definitely. Will the Sashas present a smoother upper treble (where it also distinguishes itself from WP7 and before, and somewhat WP8)...yes.

Do i think it is an upgrade i would go for if i had your system?...i actually would be quite happy with your system. And if i did upgrade, would probably feel the need to go a few levels higher than Sasha/650mc.

I would look at 'big tweaks' in your system: first your preamp, then smaller stuff...Monster power conditioner, or cabling. I imagine the Sashas and D'Agostinos were being run with great preamp (ARC Ref 5?) Transp Opus cabling which is absurdly expensive but absurdly good as well. I imagine if you went with SOTA preamp, your sound would change dramatically...for a lot less... You really have an incredible system imho.

Hi Johnnyb53. Agree D'Agostinos are some of the best solid state i have heard in many, many years....utterly refined and (as with all D'Agostino designs) utterly powerful.

I have spoken with people who compared the XLFs on ML latest Ref, D'Agostino monos and the Gryphon Mephisto and it seems those who were there preferred Mephisto significantly. My sense is that the Gryphon is more delicately nuanced while being a match or more than a match in sheer power. At this level, it is all about preferences, and probably subtle but meaningful room setup, etc. Just passing along the feedback i got yesterday from someone who had done the audition.

Hi Johnnyb53...no kidding! Not shabby at all!!! ;)

Peterayer - yes, i have heard that too. I run my old Wilsons with Class A, and love it.

Thanks, Johnny...if you ever hear them, pls post!

I have started to see these 4-tower guys come to the fore again:
- EA MM7
- Gryphon Pendragon
- Genesis 1.2/Dragon
- Tidal Sunray/Dual Tower Sub

I wonder if XLF/Dual Thor should be considered a 4-speaker set in the same way? I suspect so given that they have a dedicated Wilson Crossover presumably designed with this exact configuration in mind.

I think Jacob Heilbrunn owns it...have emailed him. Anyone have thoughts on this?