{"id":30193,"date":"2021-11-16T22:41:24","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T20:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=30193"},"modified":"2023-10-17T19:20:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T17:20:02","slug":"reference-sounds-wilson-alexx-v-with-audio-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/specials\/reference-sounds-wilson-alexx-v-with-audio-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Reference Sounds – Wilson Alexx V with Audio Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

One month ago, I published my first experiences with the mighty Wilson Audio Alexx V loudspeakers which were demonstrated at distributor Reference Sounds<\/a> in Almere, the Netherlands, using Dan D’Agostino Momentum pre-and power amplifiers. For all the details about the speakers and the electronics, please see the report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the end of that initial experience, Michael told me that a second event was planned, showcasing the Audio Research Ref 6 SE preamplifier and Ref 160 mono power amplifiers. Below is my report of this second event.<\/p>\n

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For the occasion, Michael had invited Brandon Lauer, Marketing Director and Director of International Sales, to provide the relevant product- and background information to myself and a small group of other audio journalists.<\/p>\n

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In 1970, Audio Research was founded by William Z. Johnson with the single goal to advance the state-of-the-art in music reproduction. The company would prosper as it became one of the founding pillars of High End as we know it now. Audio Research ownership changed hands in 2014 when it became part of the McIntosh Group and during that time, the brand has adopted a more modern industrial design that also incorporates elements of past products.<\/p>\n

In August 2020, the company changed hands once again and is now privately owned by TWS Enterprises, a company owned fully by Trent Suggs, who was the former sales director of Audio Research. With this move, the brand is 100% in American hands, just as it started over five decades ago.<\/p>\n

This move ensures that the unique Audio Research culture and processes will remain. Moreover, they will be the main focal points for the company\u2019s future development.<\/p>\n

And as Brandon Lauer would very clearly state, all ARC products are 100% designed and built in Minneapolis USA by a dedicated ARC engineering team. For all their models, hand-picked components are used and every single built unit is approved by their “Golden Ear” Design Engineer, Warren Gehl, see photo below.<\/p>\n

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Even when Chief editor for Dutch audio magazine HVT Ernst Neve, whom I know well for his unashamed joking as well as his straight-to-the-point manners, insisted, Brandon maintained that also for the most affordable components, such as the I50 integrated amplifier, the brand uses hand-picked components and the units are all hand-built in Minnesota, USA. Upon inquiring where costs can be cut if the components are still of the highest quality, Brandon explained that, for instance, using smaller transformers or less exotic potentiometers help lower the costs. However, even these smaller transformers are still custom-built at their factory, and even when less exotic components are used, the parts are still all evaluated and hand-picked for use.<\/p>\n

Next: Equipment Descriptions<\/p>\n

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The Audio Research Ref 6 SE preamplifier, hand-made in the USA using cherry-picked hand-selected parts.<\/em><\/p>\n

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As in the previous demo, the dCS Rossini SACD player is used as a source, along with the Rossini Master Clock, and with an HRS Damping Plate on top. This time, it outputs its signals to the Ref 6 SE preamp via Transparent Ultra Gen 6 balanced interlinks. The source components are all powered by a Transparent Gen 6 Reference Power Isolator, using Transparent Gen 6 premium power cables.<\/p>\n

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The Ref 160M mono power amplifiers, just like the Ref 6SE preamp and all other ARC components, 100% made in the USA.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Just look at these beauties – aren’t they positively lust-inducing?!<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Ref 160M mono power amplifier uses small transformers for the best transient behavior. The new KT170 tubes have been considered but for now, the best results were obtained with the KT150s.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: Ref 160M mono power amplifier with protective case (and fan) installed; below, the amp without its case, in which case the fan is not needed.<\/em><\/p>\n

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This is the brand-new, milled-from-aluminum remote control handset that will become a standard issue for the Ref 6SE, replacing the current plastic unit. For existing customers who purchased a unit up to 2 years ago, ARC will trade the plastic unit for the new metal version at no cost.<\/p>\n

Next: Listening Impressions<\/p>\n

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And here is the power end of the system in all of its glory!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Just look at these little works of art… since nobody seemed interested, I made sure to take care of the majority of the chocolates:-)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Listening Impressions<\/h3>\n

Michael had prepared a playlist with many of the same tracks as used the last time as well as some new additions. In speaking with colleagues and friends, the wildest speculations had been made prior to hearing the Alexx V’s with the ARC system. For instance, one would suspect tubes not to sound as powerful or as dynamic as the Dan D’Agostino system. Some believed that the sound could turn overly romantic while others had hopes of hearing more finesse with the tube system. Having some experience with the brand myself, I was expecting at least the same level of detail and transparency. But whether the ARC’s would equal the D’Agostinos in terms of stability or how the bass would behave, I really did not know.<\/p>\n

As soon as the first track played, the entire room “knew” that this system was working well, very well indeed. When looking at Michael, I noticed how he tried to suppress a big smile on his face and I couldn’t help but feel the same. The music just “clicked”. Track after track, it became clearer and clearer that the ARC system had this special capability of making the music seem like being played by living and breathing musicians, and not merely a recording played back at a very high-quality level.<\/p>\n

In part, this is achieved by a larger acoustic bubble with more distinct layering within it, where every musician and instrument more clearly inhabit their own spaces, surrounded by more air. This is also what tubes generally tend to be good at. What also aids in turning the electronic signals into a more convincing performance is the ARC system’s remarkably neutral and natural timbre.<\/p>\n

In addition, I almost don’t dare write it, but the low-level resolution and decay, as well as the transparency, were better than with the Dan D’Agostino amplification! There is comparatively also a tiny bit of upper treble lift as well as a slight leanness in the bass but I’m not confusing that with detail or openness. This is just a bit of character that the ARC system has, just like the D’Agostino trio has a slightly smooth and very gently warm delivery. Indeed, the ARC tube system<\/em> sounds more explicit and less warm than the D’Agostino transistor system<\/em>. Go figure!<\/p>\n

Did I just write that the ARC system outperformed the Dan system? Well, so far, I’d be inclined to answer affirmatively. Certainly where the emotion and intimately captivating elements of the performance are concerned. But as always in life, matters are not black and white.<\/p>\n

Where the Dan D’Agostino system is clearly better is, you guessed it, the bass. While the ARC system delivered highly articulate bass and actually made the Alexx V’s sound even more coherent than during the initial demo, there was no denying that the speakers were capable of more propulsive and more impactful bass.<\/p>\n

Of course, even with the relatively efficient and relatively easy-to-drive Alexx V’s, the Ref 160M’s two KT150 quads only go so far. At the levels that we were listening, there was never any compression while the music was loud enough to fully convince and even induce minute-long goosebumps (no kidding!). I bet that if I was of the opposite gender, I probably would have shed a tear here or there. Seriously, the performances were that<\/em> moving. But at times, especially with electro or dance music, I felt that the performance could use a little bit more “kick” down below.<\/p>\n

Indeed, where it concerns bass-heavy music, there’s no escaping the authority of the D’Agostino trio. And it’s not only about trouser-flapping impact, for the solidity that these transistor amps provide is always present. This is what instills in the user the unwavering faith that the system will never run out of steam, no matter the position of the volume control. At times, I did miss this.<\/p>\n

As such, there are no winners or losers, nothing so crude. But these two systems do very clearly have different aims and provide their own unique presentations. These are two different systems that will simply cater to two different kinds of customers. Meanwhile, the Wilsons don’t seem to care what drives them. They simply relay whatever they are fed and if you ask me, that’s perhaps the single most desirable factor in loudspeaker design.<\/p>\n

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Here’s Brandon Lauer, the super-sympathetic Marketing Director and Director of International Sales. Being hugely charismatic from the start, as the afternoon progressed, he’d get wittier and wittier!<\/p>\n

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And that’s me, being photographed by Nick Spier, who recently joined Reference Sounds. Now, all I’d need is a picture of Nick taking my picture, but alas…<\/p>\n

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As the demo progressed and our window passed, Ernst Neve of printed magazine HVT entered for the next session. But I wasn’t ready to leave just yet! Soon after the next session started, entirely ad-hoc, Ernst asked if I wanted to write the review that he had planned for his magazine. Sure I would! Now that his task had been relegated to me, he no longer needed to pay attention and started cracking jokes. Soon enough, the room was filled with laughter and this went on for at least another hour. Good times!<\/p>\n

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Left to right: Ruud Jonker, Brandon Lauer, Ernst Neve, and Robin Bruinsma<\/em><\/p>\n

Would you like a listening session?<\/h3>\n

Reference Sounds is not just a distributor, but also functions as an extension of their extensive dealer network, and Michael is always happy to demonstrate the products in his Almere Listening Room by appointment.<\/p>\n

More Reference Sounds<\/h3>\n

HFA Company Special (the old Amstelveen location)<\/a>
\nWilson Sasha DAW with Dan D’Agostino<\/a><\/p>\n

Video on the Hifi-Advice YouTube Channel<\/h3>\n

Wilson Audio Alexx V showcase at Reference Sounds<\/a><\/p>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n

www.referencesounds.nl<\/a>
\nWilson Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

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