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Readers familiar with the Alexia Series 2 will note several differences in size and shape. The width of the woofer enclosure—hence of the speaker itself—was increased by about ¼", depth by 1¼". The internal volume of the woofer enclosure is about 9% larger, that of the midrange enclosure 6.4% larger. Daryl says this allows for "a little more low-frequency extension and alacrity in the bass and a bit more midrange bloom." Not visible from the outside are more elaborate diffusers used inside the midrange enclosure. Sensitivity is claimed to have increased by 1dB, from 89 to 90, and crossover…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Multiway, bass-reflex floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive units: 1" Wilson Convergent Synergy Carbon silk-dome tweeter in sealed carbon-fiber enclosure; one 7" QuadraMag alnico doped paper-pulp midrange unit in rear-slotted X-, S-, and V-Material enclosure; 8" and 10" hard paper-pulp woofers in rear-ported X- and V-Material enclosure. Sensitivity: 90dB/W/m at 1kHz. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Minimum impedance: 2.59 ohms at 84Hz. Minimum amplifier power: 20Wpc. Frequency response: 19Hz–33kHz ±3dB, Room Average Response.
Dimensions: 50.9" (1295mm) H…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital sources: dCS Rossini Apex DAC, Rossini Clock and Transport; Innuos Statement NextGen Music Server; Roon Nucleus+ music server, Uptone Audio EtherRegen with AfterDark Giesemann Emperor Double Crown Master Clock, and Nordost QNet Ethernet Switch, all powered by Nordost QSource linear power supplies (2); Small Green Computer Sonore Deluxe opticalModule, Linksys mesh router, and Arris modem, all powered by HDPlex 300 linear power supply; Apple 2017 iPad Pro.
Preamplifier: Dan D'Agostino Momentum HD.
Power amplifiers: Dan D'Agostino Progression…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
With Jason Victor Serinus's listening room 2900 miles from my home, measuring the Wilson Alexia V presented potential logistical problems. Fortunately, Elliot Fishkin of Manhattan audio retailer Innovative Audio was amenable to my measuring the Alexia Vs that had just been installed in one of their listening rooms. (Thanks, Elliot.)
As I was traveling from Brooklyn to Innovative on the New York subway, I used the Fuzzmeasure app installed on my Mac mini for the acoustic measurements rather than the bulky 1997-vintage PC that I use with DRA Labs' MLSSA…
It's a not untypical tale. Two veteran engineers, Jason Stoddard, who had extensive experience in product design, development, manufacturing, and marketing (footnote 1), and Mike Moffat, who had an impressive track record designing hi-fi products (footnote 2), got together in June 2010 to start an audio company. What wasn't typical was the new company's brand name: Schiit Audio. What also wasn't typical was the company's business strategy. Instead of introducing a small number of very expensive products, an approach that's increasingly common in hi-fi (footnote 3), Schiit products would be…
After a couple of days getting used to the sound of the Tyrs with the LS50s, though I wasn't aware of any treble grain, I felt that the top octaves sounded a little softened. I replaced the KEFs with the GoldenEar BRXes, which, when I reviewed them, I found offered a touch more top-octave energy in-room than the LS50s. That did the trick, and although the GoldenEars don't offer more low-frequency extension than the KEFs, their passive radiators allowed them to play louder in the bass, which was a benefit when I wanted to rock out with the MQA version of Will.i.am and Justin Bieber's "#…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid state, class-AB, mono power amplifier. Inputs: 1 single-ended (RCA), 1 balanced (XLR). Output: 1 pair binding posts. Power output: 200W into 8 ohms (23dBW), 350W into 4 ohms (22.43dBW). Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, –0.1dB, 3Hz–500kHz, –3dB. Voltage gain: 22× (28dB). Input sensitivity (for full power into 8 ohms): "40V/22, You do the math." Input impedance: 47k ohms (unbalanced), 47k ohms (balanced). Damping factor: >200 into 8 ohms, 20–20kHz. THD: <0.01%, 20Hz–20kHz, at 200W into 8 ohms. IMD: <0.01%, CCIR, at 200W into 8 ohms.…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog source: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ekos tonearm, Linn Arkiv B cartridge, Channel D Seta L phono preamplifier.
Digital source: Roon Nucleus+ server with HDPlex linear power supply; MBL Noble Line N31 CD player/DAC, Ayre Acoustics QA-9 A/D converter; NetGear Nighthawk router.
Power amplifiers: Benchmark AHB2, Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: GoldenEar BRX, KEF LS50, MoFi SourcePoint 10.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Vodka (Ethernet), AudioQuest Coffee (USB), DH Labs (1m, AES3). Interconnect:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I tested the Schiit Tyr with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. I preconditioned the amplifier by following the CEA's recommendation of operating it at one-eighth the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes. At the end of that time, the heatsinks were hot, at 121.3°F (49.6°C), though the top panel was just warm at 103.9°F (39.9°C).
The Schiit's voltage gain is specified as 22×, or 28dB; I measured 27.55dB into 8 ohms for both the balanced and unbalanced inputs. The Tyr preserved absolute polarity (ie, was noninverting) with both input types. Both the…
The other day it occurred to me that the main difference between audiophiles and more reasonable adults isn't our gear. Plenty of people have impressive hi-fis simply because they can afford them and are running out of things to buy. No, what makes someone an audiophile is the willingness to sit down in front of a pair of speakers (or with a pair of headphones clamped over their ears) and focus the entirety of their attention on listening.
I recognize just how unusual this habit is when someone visits my home and happens to remark on the hi-fi, either because it sounds good to them,…