Thanks for posting. It’s nice to know that you don’t have to spend mega bucks to get great sound.
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
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If you did not like the $1 million dollar system, perhaps the builder stinted on certain components and that $1.5 million should have been the budget. Who knows why a particular system does not float the boat of any particular listener? When you spend that kind of money, it is you who get to pick the sound and the pieces that will deliver the sound you want, so you can expect MUCH better results than someone else making these decisions. |
Dodgealum - fully agreed! I listened two different times over the weekend at the Capitol Audiofest last year to the big Von Schweickert / VAC system & came away baffled how it sounded nothing like live music! After. Just a few minutes, I had enough which for myself is the true test of a system -listener fatigue or want to keep on with any good music available. I heard several other systems there that cost less than maybe just two of the amps total that were much more enjoyable.. |
Maybe someone from @paragonss weighin on OP experience, room acoustics and setup? They carry all the brands featured in the demo. |
- 113 posts total