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

ozzy

Showing 11 responses by ozzy

rhale64.

Thank you for the comments. The amp stands are actually (DIY) made from 4" thick maple. I have 2" threaded Audiopoint’s underneath. On the amp stand under the amps I am using Critical Mass footers.

All of this actually sounded much better than the Grand Prix amps stands still pictured on my audio system.

ozzy

My own system with everything is maybe close to $100,000 retail. So, I figured a $1M system should sound alot better. Not 10 times better but considerably better than mine.

I guess for now I will appreciate what I have.

ozzy

I do wonder if the $1M system was just so great that it made average recorded music sound substandard or anemic.

Although if it can't play the music I love, it's a no-go for me.

ozzy

I was expecting a $1Million dollar system to blow me away! And very surprised that it didn’t even come close. I doubt if I will ever get a chance to hear Mike Lavigne’s system, but it looks to be very nice, probably is impressive.

Now that I think of it, I also asked the presenter to play "Taxman" from the new Beatles Revolver. When he played it, he turned the volume way down and only played it for a few seconds. Hmmn.

ozzy

So, I don’t want to mention the dealer, for I am very grateful for the opportunity to be able to hear these components. And they put on quite a nice event.

I’m still thinking that the system was set up exactly the way they wanted it to be. Perhaps the Wilson’s have too much hi-frequency energy and they tried to tone it down? I dunno, but it was quite dead sounding.

Also, I know presenters want to use music that shows off the equipment’s ability but music I am familiar with helps me evaluate the equipment.

ozzy

Thanks for all the comments thus far. I have never owned the Transparent cabling, but it’s hard to imagine that they are designed to limit the "air" (life) in the music.

I was also wonderin’ since the Wilson speakers have infinite adjustments in aiming the mid, tweeter units perhaps that was way off. But, again with the Wilson dealer and the rep’s available that is hard to believe they could screw it up so badly.

It would have been interesting though to have been able to hear the speakers with a different amp, or the amps with different speakers.

Something was clearly wrong.

I guess I can use this opportunity to tell my wife how much money my system has saved us...

ozzy

The dealership is a big time Wilson dealer, so that part has me puzzled. Do you think the amps were a poor match for the Wilson's?

ozzy

12many,

Yes, I have my speakers with a very slight toe in. I guess with extreme toe in it produces more depth but at the expense of the soundstage.

I still don’t understand the lack of upper frequencies with the demo. I always thought Wilson speakers were actually tipped up in the high frequencies. Could it be the Dan D’Agostino Relentless Epic mono blocks?

Again, the presenter called it "mellow".

ozzy

kota 1,

That is a Stillpoint Aperture that I have made a bracket for it so it can be slid in place while playing music and removed when watching video.

ozzy

I guess I was expecting to hear sound that is much better than my current system. To my surprise it was not.

ozzy