Wilson
Alexia 2 and Sasha DAW
October
25, 2018
Marc,
I
just want to let you know that I read your Alexia 2 review and think it is top notch! You really capture the
essence of the new model.
By
the way, I think you will be busy with another Wilson speaker next year.
Peter
Kunz
Thanks
for the kind words on my Alexia 2 review. We just posted a news story on the new Sasha DAW. Someone at The Audio Beat
will be writing about the speaker, but I'm not sure who at this point. It could be me, Roy
Gregory, or someone else. -Marc Mickelson
Integrated
amp or separates?
October
20, 2018
Marc,
In
your experience, is there a huge sonic difference between an integrated amp and separates?
I have my eye on an Audio Research integrated VSi75.
Sheldon
Simon
The
answer to your question is, it depends on the integrated amp and separates you're
comparing. If you are comparing the VSi75 to a Reference 75 SE and Reference 6, then I
think you'll be disappointed. But if you're comparing it to older Audio Research separates
or separates from another maker, you might find that the VSi75 pretty much sounds better.
There is also the unneeded length of cable between preamp and amp to consider, not just in
terms of the sound produced but also your budget.
Some
companies -- Jeff Rowland, Mark Levinson -- make very high-end integrated amps whose
circuitry is very similar to that for their best separates. So there's no hard-and-fast
rule about separates versus an integrated amp -- other than letting your own ears help you
decide which is better. -Marc Mickelson
Preamp recommendation
October
8, 2018
Marc,
I
have read almost all of your audio equipment reviews for many years. I value your judgment
because we appear to have the same taste for sound.
My
question -- I would like your recommendation for three preamps to fit into my main system.
Now, my main system consists of a Lamm L1 Signature preamp, Lamm M1.2 Reference amps, a PS
Audio DirectStream player and DAC, Kubala-Sosna Elation interconnects and speaker cables
and Wireworld 7 HDMI cables.
My
concern is the preamp. I also have a Lamm L2 Reference preamp, which I prefer against the
L1. The L1 does not have the warmth I seek. My taste favors a natural and full sound with
as much detail as possible. A slightly rolled-off treble or transient response is not a
problem. My budget is $20,000 new or used.
Joe
Abate
Given
your equipment, I would say you're right -- our tastes are very similar. I've found that
Lamm, Audio Research and VTL equipment generally works well together, so the Audio
Research Reference 6 would be a good preamp choice for you. However, if you can stretch
your budget a bit, the remote-controlled VTL TL-7.5 Series III Reference is a great match
with the Lamm M1.2 amps -- it's the combination I use. The transparency of the VTL preamp
pairs well with the slight richness of the Lamm amps, and the TL-7.5 III's feature set,
including input offset that allows you to equalize the volume of sources, is very welcome.
If your digital source is fully balanced, hearing it into the TL-7.5 III's balanced inputs
may be a revelation. You will want to experiment with the TL-7.5 III's gain switching;
with some speakers and when using balanced connections, you may get some hiss on the
high-gain setting (in which case you can switch to low gain to solve the problem).
-Marc Mickelson
Join
October
1, 2018
Marc,
I'd
like to join The Audio Beat's reader e-mail list.
Steve
Edwards
You're
on the list. To join TAB's reader list and find out about new articles first,
send e-mail to rl@theaudiobeat.com.
-Marc Mickelson
