Wilson WAMM MC and subs?
October
23, 2017
Roy,
I
enjoyed your blog on the Wilson Alexx and Thor's Hammer. But given
your conclusions, there seem to be obvious questions about using the Wilson WAMM MC as a standalone system without subs, especially given
that both the Alexx and WAMM MC use the same drivers in the bass, albeit in a redesigned
enclosure. At a Wilson demo (not of the WAMM MC) given by factory personnel, I inquired
about using subs such as the Thor's Hammer with the WAMM MC, given that the Alexandria XLF
appeared to have superior bass ability, at least in terms of loudness, due to its larger
woofers. I was told there would be subs designed specifically for the WAMM MC. I believe
the WAMM MC is being shipped, and if I were fortunate enough to be using a set, I'd want
the ultimate configuration as soon as possible, especially given the investment in a WAMM
MC system. Besides visually remembering the original WAMM, I miss the old four-tower
configuration.
It
seems your blog begs for an extra paragraph or two commenting on the WAMM MC and subs and
perhaps another paragraph if you know anything about subs specific to the WAMM MC system.
Allen
Edelstein
It's
an interesting point that you make -- and clearly one over which Wilson have expended some
energy. Of course, it should be said that although the WAMM MC and Alexx share bass
drivers, they occupy a much bigger volume in the flagship design, so the WAMM MC already
possesses a low-frequency advantage over its smaller brother. Nor did I feel the need for
additional bass when I listened to the WAMM MC. Dimensionality, acoustic space (both
around the orchestra and -- uncannily -- around the listener) texture, color and timbre
were all exceptional, adding considerably to the sense of a coherent, musical whole.
Would
the WAMM MC benefit from subs? Absolutely -- both aesthetically and sonically. Are Wilson
working on matching subs for the flagship speaker? Indeed, and I believe that the design
is complete, with the final prototypes already seeing the light of day for a few lucky
listeners. Meanwhile, I suspect that those who have waited for the WAMM MC will wait for
the matching bass units. Certainly, that's the stance of the WAMM MC owners with whom I've
spoken. Thankfully, it looks like the wait for subs will be mercifully short. -Roy
Gregory
Main Offender
October
17, 2017
Marc,
You
often note Keith Richards' Main Offender in your equipment reviews. I have never
heard it, but I guess it is that good. Is there a particular LP mastering/pressing or CD
version that I should look for?
Jeff
Levine
Main
Offender is one of the very best-sounding rock recordings I've ever heard; in fact, a
couple of cuts are the best-sounding I've heard, and you can really lean on the
volume control with them. I recall discussing the recording with Peter McGrath, of Wilson
Audio, who's a very skilled recording engineer, and he agreed with me about its sonic
qualities, saying that the engineer "kept it simple," capturing incredible
low-bass weight and blazing transient speed. Main Offender is available on CD
[Virgin V2-86499], which is easy to find for a few dollars, and LP [Virgin VUSLP 59],
which is much harder to find here in the US, because, I believe, it was released only in
Europe. I got my LP from a European distributor who admires the recording so much that he
was literally buying every copy he could find. Also of note is the music -- Keith Richards
playing some searing guitar on some rowdy cuts, a couple of which also have a reggae
underpinning. It's great listening all around. -Marc Mickelson
TW-Acustic
and Zanden
October
10, 2017
Marc,
I
guess you didn’t know, but TW-Acustic has their own platter mat that is made by
Zanden. It’s the same mat as the
TPM-1 you wrote about.
Jeff
Catalano
Highwater Sound
Actually,
Zanden told me this, but my article was on their version, so I purposely didn't get into
what you mention. -Marc Mickelson
MQA:
"Maybe the jury is still out?"
October
3, 2017
Marc,
I
was wondering what your thoughts are on MQA
playback. I'm wondering if it's another SACD-type scenario, or is it something to
truly be explored? If so, why haven't all the major DAC manufacturers climbed onboard?
Maybe the jury is still out?
Sheldon
Simon
I'm
not sure I am fully qualified to comment on MQA, because I've had only one demo of it (and
a very impressive demo it was). On the other hand, perhaps my slight experience makes me
the right person to weigh in, because I haven't picked a side. Issues like MQA baffle me.
If it sounds better, then it is better, regardless of whether the product or, in the case
of MQA, the process meets some preconceived notion of what's considered proper or right.
When it comes to sonic worth, I will continue to rely on evidence -- what I hear -- not
biased opinion; at least evidence has a basis in something observable, repeatable and
concrete. And in this way, MQA certainly seems to have promise. -Marc Mickelson
"The
List" updates
October
2, 2017
Marc,
It
doesn’t seem like “The List” gets updated very often, or am I not looking
frequently enough to see changes?
I
ask because a careful reading of some of your reviews would seem to indicate that the
musical excellence provided by a given piece of audio equipment would warrant inclusion.
Specifically, after reading the review of the Grand Prix Monaco 1.5 turntable, I clicked over and
was surprised that it was not listed (maybe the assessment needs more seasoning?). Or
perhaps some of the new Mobile Fidelity releases that have absolutely smashed the quality
of pressings that have preceded them -- the Bill Evans Trio's Sunday at the Village Vanguard
or Santana's Abraxas. I would have thought these might be listed.
(Not that I am chiding you for what is included; it is, after all, your list, and you can
obviously compile it as you choose.) I was just wondering -- that’s all.
By
the way, I really do enjoy the reviews: the care that you and the entire The Audio
Beat team take to properly evaluate a single piece of equipment and then the
thoughtful descriptions that go into the write-ups. It’s all good stuff.
Karl
Weiss
This
is a very pertinent question, and you are correct that "The List" isn't fully up
to date. I have been engaged in the perpetual (or so it seems) task of replacing it with a
new and better area of The Audio Beat that will include both equipment and music
-- the best that we currently know of. Time is always the impediment here -- I never have
enough of it (and the mental energy required to do the work well). Yes, the Grand Prix
Monaco 1.5 should be included in "The List," as should the Mobile Fidelity
One-Step LPs you cite -- among other products and recordings we've covered.
In any case, I will endeavor to update "The List" in the short term,
while I continue to work to replace it with something even better.
Thanks,
by the way, for your kind words about our articles. I'm glad the care shows. -Marc
Mickelson
Reader
list
October
1, 2017
Marc,
Please
add me to your e-mail list.
Rick
Brodsky
You're
on the list. To join TAB's reader e-mail list and find out about new articles
first, send e-mail to rl@theaudiobeat.com.
-Marc Mickelson
