Wilson Alexandria V2

I can't imagine how you keep blowing midrange capacitiors, but according to the Wilson website, both the Maxx 2's and the Alexandria V 2 would present the same load to an amplifier. Both are rated at 4 ohms nominal and 3 ohms minimum, though the Alexandria is 4 db more sensitive (95 db vs. 91 db)

Your VTL Seigfried's claim to be able to pump 800wpc in Tetrode or 400 wpc into Triode mode into a 4 ohm load, that's a lot of freaking power.

So what does all this mean? Either you have a VERY, VERY large room, your listen at VERY, VERY loud levels and/or the blown midrange caps have nothing to do with SPL's, but perhaps DC leakage from your amps. Yes, the Alexandria will be easier on your amps, but your amps, if healthy, should provide plenty of juice for the Maxx 2's also.

You may want to have VTL check out the amps, IMHO.

Cheers,
John

Hi, I'm with (the above) John. I fully agree with all his statements.

I've owned WP 6's running 60w/channel (bat vk60) tube amp. Then WP8's running a 75w/ch (bat vk75se), then WP 8's with BAT 150se's, Maxx 2's and Maxx 3's.

For fun, I took one amp out with my Maxx 3's. I have a large room. So back to a 75SE (75w/ch). It drove the Maxx 3's great. Never a hint of distortion, grain, still effortless. (The 150se, controlled the bottom better and better image, but a 75se wasn't lacking in power).

I've also tried a Nagra VPA. 50 w/ per channel and others here at Audiogon (oneobgyn) runs his X2's on with Lamm tube amps (18w/channell). All with superior results.

Something isn't right, you either have misbehaving amps, ear bleeding levels, or super super big room.

Might ask Wilson on a upgraded X2 vs brand new X2 series 2, I doubt there is a difference.

BTW, I went from Maxx 2's to Maxx 3's, it's a MONSTER upgrade. So Maxx 2's to X2's are even bigger. You won't regret this move if you can afford it !

Jon_p

You are blowing the resistors. So did I on my Maxx IIs if I play loud. Funny I have the VTL 750s But it was really loud and the resistors are there to protect from overdriving. So I called Wilson and yes the X-2s are the way to go. No doubt for high SPL. But honestly, I then began to think about some top notch horns that can play to 120 db w. a few watts as the way to go. Just hard to find a pair I love, let alone hear them. I doubt it is a problem w. the amps as I took out both my speakers at once. But it was loud. I don't listen that loud more than once or twice a year (it was great, I was having a blast, playing a live concert to ridiculous concert hall levels).

For now I am staying put. A friend w. the smaller Lamms on the Maxxs isn't so happy. I don't agree that 18 watts can power it, unless you have a subwoofer. Wilsons are efficient and the Lamms are great, but they don't play that loud. Mind you, I would love to have the Lamms as a 2nd amp, but the best compromise are the Seigfrieds. You should go w. the X-2.2s, but first give them a listen w. your amp. I know the voicing of the new Wilson products is quite a bit different than the Maxx II.

With all due respect to the owners of any of these speakers...do you really find it reasonable at this price point to be limited in ultimate output capability? I understand that Wilson puts a tremendous amount of $ and R&D into the cabinets, but we're talking about an absurd amount of money here, is there any reason you should need to make any compromises?

Dgad, you're right, it is the resistors i'm blowing. My room is pretty large too.
I have another set of Maxx 2's in a different system and have never had one problem with them but this room is much smaller.