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So, I listened to a $1Million Dollar System

So, I listened to a $1Million dollar system.

A somewhat local dealer had an event that showcased the Dan D’Agostino Relentless Epic mono block amps, Relentless Preamplifier, Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX speakers and subsonic subwoofer. Along with the Transparent cabling, HRS stands, DCS Dac and other accessories I estimate the total cost to be over $1Miilion.

I was able to sit in the front row center. The speakers estimated to weigh over 700 lbs. were toed in quite a bit towards the listener.

The demonstrator played a lot of obscure music that centered on some very deep bass. I must admit the bass was quite impressive.

Eventually (reluctantly) the demonstrator played a few tunes that I requested, and I was quite surprised.

With this million-dollar system the music sounded quite dull, the rep called it “mellow”, but to me it was dull. There was no life to the music, limited highs and zero music coming from the extreme left- right.

For instance, I use the Linda Ronstadt track “Blue Bayou” as a reference. Within this track at about the 40-60 second mark there is a mandolin that plays in the extreme left channel. On many systems that information is buried deep into the mix. However, systems with high resolution can play it clearly. Unfortunately, with this million-dollar system I could not even detect it.

So why is it? Can the Wilson speakers be adjusted in such a way as to accent the bass and attenuate the mid-treble? If so, why would they demonstrate that way? Were the speakers too toed in? Or was it because there were about 10 people in the room (btw, a large room) which muted some of the speaker’s energy? Whatever, I was NOT impressed.

ozzy

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Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
6,477 posts
 

Honestly guys. What a lot of BS. Let’s assume you work hard for a lifetime assembling your perfect sounding system. Decade by decade converging on better and better sound. That from the time you were 20 to say 70… slowly converged on the best sounding system you could. And at that time you looked at your investment and saw it was  $50K or $100K, or $1M, wouldn’t it be incredibly satisfying? A passion, incrementally achieved over a lifetime. 
 

What is all the bashing about? Ego?

ghdprentice
6,477 posts
 

I have had the privilege of hearing a similar system some years ago… however, it was in a permanent set up and there was one seat… the one I was in. It was revelatory. No guessing it’s potential, I could hear it.

I have been to a number of demos like this that were just terrible. Systems like this are made for one person… installation comes with a team of people and it takes time. I have found these demos interesting to see the presentations and after fifty years of pursuing the high end I can often hear through the problems.

 

But, the problem… the demo set up and group audience.

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