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Wolcott Presence 220M system compatiblity?

I am considering the big change from solid state to tube amplification. I do have some concern as my speakers, Vienna Acoustics Mahlers, require an amp with much control in the bass. I am currently running Bryston 7BST mono's and bass control is obviously not an issue. From the reviews I have read the Wolcott may be my answer. The Mahler is rated at 90db sensitivity with an average impedance of 6 ohms. It does go below 3 ohms in the lower regions. I would like input from others as to the compatibilty of the Wolcott with my speakers. I would also be interested if anyone knows of a more appropriate amp than the Wolcott.

The rest of my system:

Hovland HP100 w/MC
Sonic Frontiers SFT1/SFD2MK11 Digital
VPI HW19IV / Kusma stogi reference/ Grado Statement
Acoustic Zen sliver reference interconnects
Wireworld gold eclipse111 speaker cable
128x128dmailer
jtinn
1,124 posts
 
I happened to try the amps, upon Albert and Duke's suggestion. At the time I had a pair of Wilson MAXX's here and I was so disappointed. There was absolutely no focus and no bass. With all the respect I have for Albert and Duke, I decided to bring them to a friend's house who had a pair of Maggies. On the ribbons, it was a TOTALLY different story. I have not heard better focus and dynamics on Magnepans than with the Wolcotts. The bass was also world class.

The one thing the Wolcotts did extremely well with the MAXX's was width of stage. It was very impressive, but zero focus.

Call Duke at AudioKinesis, maybe he will let you audition a pair.
dmailer's avatar
dmailer OP
235 posts
 
I am not that familiar with the Wilson Maxx but would think that the speaker would be quite demanding of amplification. The B&W's 800 line can be pretty demanding as well. The specs on the Mahler are similar to the B&W803 as far as sensitivity and speaker impedance. There may be no clear answer without trying them.
angela100
435 posts
 
You have to remember that you are not just "auditioning" the amps, it is the combination of everything else in the system to give the results. I would be careful of considering what happened in different setups to base your opinion. If you are going to spend that kind of money, you need to see how it fits in YOUR setup, period.
my 2 cents,
aj
snook2's avatar
snook2
626 posts
 
I had the Wolcotts with the Dunlavy V's and after a period of time the sound was fatigueing. The midbass was also lacking. I replaced the Wolcotts with Aloia amps. A much improved quality of sound and control
fcrowder
191 posts
 
The sound of the Wolcotts is much effected by the choice of tubes, isolation (electrical and mechsanical) and the new transformers. The ability to change tubes provides a real ability to fine tune the unit to a particular speaker/system. You may have quit too soon.
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