I still have some Purist in my system (proteus provectus praesto). The wilsons seem to have a synergy with the Transparent that I liked. So it was system matching thing.

I have a friend with a all purist system and it's amazing to. Who knows...the Rockports might nudge me back to Purist. I know the 25th Anniversary is a much better cable than the PPP i used to have my system with.

The Purist for the money is to die for....the purity and resolution is startling...

Both the Rockports and the Wilsons are internally wired with Transparent also..

jfrech April 28, 2013 12:04

Jfrech, did you audition the Alexandrias X2s before making the decision to go Rockport? What were your thoughts on how each performed? How did they compare, and what was the decision making factor?

thesaint519 April 28, 2013 01:33

Jfrech, I just completed going through your system evolution as outlined here in this thread. You are a REAL A-Gon resource. Thank you for always being so liberal with info and system auditions. Such generosity is quite rare. I hope to someday share your joy with an audition of my own. thank you for your contributions. I see that you were a complete fan of Purist Audio cables. What made you swap camps to TA?

thesaint519 April 27, 2013 22:52

Cool. Let me know when. I'm in White Plains.

thesaint519 April 27, 2013 03:32

I get to nyc, white plains and just north of wp's often...

jfrech April 27, 2013 02:47

Hi Jfrech, I'm in NY. However, I may have to make a trip. I've never heard the Maxx 3's or Rockport, but I'd love to audition them both.

thesaint519 April 27, 2013 02:03

Thanks Jfrech! Very kind words indeed! I just PM'd you. Meanwhile, i spoke with an engineer who worked with Arnie Nudell and Paul McGowan of Genesis Speakers back in the '90s. He is a serious audio engineer...and when we were visiting with him this weekend, he said he LOVED the Altairs when talking about his favorite speakers! I cannot wait to hear them later this summer!

lloydelee21 April 26, 2013 23:42

lloydelee21...your grand slamms are GREAT speakers, I've heard them. They are better than my Maxx 3's I think. Also...the driver config on the top end wilson's allow a different presentation....more a line source where most of the Rockports will be a point source ('cept for the Arrakis).

One isn't right or wrong...but they are different. You may prefer Wilson's bigger speakers over Rockports (all but the Arrakis) just off this alone.

I'll soon know ;-) which I prefer!

jfrech April 26, 2013 22:59

Thesaint519: Where do you live? If you can get to texas..you can hear most of the Rockport speaker lineup in one town between the dealer and a few owners here...

jfrech April 26, 2013 22:55

I am reading these one at a time :-)...so what I kept hearing in my evaluations before purchase was more transparency, more resolution, a coherency to the frequency response and just a precision to the timing. I do wonder if the Wilson's are better at dynamics and the height of the presentation. I am expecting to take a few steps ahead...and maybe a step or two back. The Wilson Maxx 3's are great speakers after all...

This is a nit...and likely doesn't matter, but I am O.C.D. on keeping contacts clean...I am going from 10 spade lugs per speaker (amp to speaker) to 4 spade lugs per speaker....(maybe the heckling begin :-)

And btw, I'll soon be posting the Maxx 3 up for sale soon here...a great deal for someone...they are in perfect like new condition. Please don't email me before, I'll gladly pay Audiogon their fee's...I use their forums daily and this is one way to help em out...

jfrech April 26, 2013 22:52

TheSaint519: I thought they were arriving today...but maybe Monday to ship now...so end of next week. Yes, trained dealer to install and dial em in...I firmly believe in paying for expertise on speaker dial in...precision pays off !

jfrech April 26, 2013 22:46

I have Wilson X1/Grand Slamms. Got them in a good deal and love them. But Rockport is one name i would consider an upgrade...and nearly sprung for Rockport Arrakis that came up on AGon...but it still cost too much for me, particularly at that time.

I like Genesis 1.1 but not convinced it would work in my room...and would love to hear Gryphon Pendragon. But I know i could be happy with the top Rockport stuff.

That said, i am extremely happy with X1s, particularly having done some custom tweaks to it recently.

lloydelee21 April 26, 2013 22:05

Thanks Lloydelee21 for the quick response. What speakers are you running now? Why not Rockport? I must say, you've piqued my interest.

thesaint519 April 26, 2013 21:51

Hi Thesaint519...a very old model. Merak Sheritan IIs...for the money this speaker was incredible. Using the same expensive resin mould technology used in the Arrakis and Altair...the last one to use it in the 'not reference level' speakers of Rockport. Solid, solid unflappable bass...done so easily, its like "how come other speakers cannot just produce this kind of bass?"...and the detail, mids were remarkably easy, natural and detailed. Far and away my fav speaker at that price point which was 25K i believe.

I can see why (like Shindo or Zanden, sometimes CJ), you just buy it and forget about upgrading or searching for the next anything in equipment. You just keep listening to music.

I wish i could share more recent experience, but i will...in a few months when i hear the Altair. ;)

lloydelee21 April 26, 2013 21:42

Congrats! do enjoy!

dev April 26, 2013 20:21

Hi Lloydelee21,

Can u tell me about your experiences with Rockport? Which model?

thesaint519 April 26, 2013 19:42

Thesaint519,

I will wait for Jfrech's answer since he is the star of this show...however, i will post afterwards my own 2 cents being a Wilson owner (X1/Grand Slamms) who considers the X1s one of my all time favorite speakers...but who also has heard Rockports and also has a 'very short list' of speakers to which i would change (which includes Rockport).

lloydelee21 April 26, 2013 19:37

Jfrech,

Not sure if you mentioned it in any of your posts, but I'm curious as to what attracted you, a protracted user of Wilson speakers, to Rockport? How do they differ in sound, architecture, and performance that grabbed you so?

thesaint519 April 26, 2013 18:40

I bet. How soon before they arrive? Are they dealer dialed in like Wilsons?

thesaint519 April 26, 2013 15:49

mine to ;-)

jfrech April 26, 2013 12:17

My hope is that your new system exceeds your expectations.

thesaint519 April 26, 2013 11:56

Thanks everyone !! I have owned 4 sets of Wilson's over the years. Watt Puppy 6's, 8's, Maxx 2's and now Maxx 3's. I've had the Maxx 3's for the last 4+ years. Very very happy with all my Wilson's. And honestly I always thought I'd find a way to get to Alexandria X2's. Or I was hoping for Maxx 4's would come out...

I have a 3 friends that have Rockports (Arrakis and 2 that have Aviors). I have heard the Aviors extensively and always admired them. I went and visited the Rockport facility with my dealer last fall. I was sold, just took me a bit to get the $$'s together.

All of my Wilson's are EXCELLENT speakers. The Rockports go a different direction. I'll know in a few weeks the real differences when they are in my room, set up properly and have some time to breakin.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. The Wilson dynamics and the driver configuration (giving you the height and how the Maxx's load the room) are things I know I might be taking a step backwards on...

jfrech April 26, 2013 10:33

Hi Jfrech,

That is some system. If I've read corectly, you've replaced the Maxx's with the Rockports, right? Thoughts? I can't wait to hear your impressions. What made you make the jump?

thesaint519 April 26, 2013 02:57

NICE SYSTEM!!

thesaint519 April 26, 2013 02:51

At CES this year the very best sounding system I heard was the Absolare Passion amp and preamp with the Rockport Altairs. Without question this system was a joy to listen to. Congratulations on obtaining the Altairs.
Regards,

charles1dad April 25, 2013 22:55