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
IMHO a million dollar system had better do the following- *reproduce proper stereo imaging [WITH depth] at any listening position *play bass down to 16 cycles at full volume without discernible distortion *be utterly non-harsh with any recording good or bad *give me the same audio experience as in a million dollar pro studio if any of those were lacking, that would be a giant RIP-OFF. |
@emrofsemanon The one problem you prefer eliminating is utterly non-harsh with any bad recording. Unfortunately, I have some 78s, LPs and CDs which have terrible sonics and great performances. Harshness is more common among my pop and rock CDs due to bad/horrible mastering, rarely with my jazz and classical (the RCA/Sony reissues of mono operas about a decade ago were awful with compression, no bass, shrill highs and honky mids. The 1980s CD reissues were direct copies of the LP mastering and sounded just fine). So, I don't want a $1 million dollar system that makes a bad recording/mastering good if it is sonically.dreck. That is asking too much and means the resolution or frequency response is not good. I intend to purchase Von Schweikert speakers which complete your list. My current Legacy Focus do NOT provide proper stereo imaging with or without depth at any listening position which VS speakers are known for doing even standing one foot in front of one speaker. My Legacy Focus do give me very deep undistorted bass though. I sit on a side couch in my friend's home and hear his VS VR35 exports all the time and it sounds wonderful. |
