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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I’m glad I stopped at $950,000. From there, it’s a game of diminishing returns.

I’ve heard Wilson Watt Puppies that made you think the singer was in the same room with you. They were paired with a Nagra preamp and a Mark Levinson power amp. Many years ago but still remember the incredible detail.

@ozzy 

Was it LMC in Scottsdale AZ? 18 months ago, I spent 3 hours auditioning their set-up showcasing Dan D’Agostino monos & pre-amp. Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX speakers and subsonic subwoofer towers. Transparent cabling, etc. I was informed I was listening to a $1M+ system that Wilson's representatives had personally spent 2 full days optimising the speaker placement.. It was dynamic, but little else. No soul, no finesse, soundstage was muddy and compressed, etc. They let me drive their streaming set up via an iPad interface. None of my goto tracks sounded good. I was highly disappointed by what I heard, and was thrilled to return home to my own listening chair.

Nayls02,

Probably the most effective demo you ever heard…

made you appreciate your own setup.