Hi, (it's john)

I am so hoping for that result on the Maxx 3's. I get to visit the Wilson factory in 2 weeks with my dealer, hopefully I'll get to hear the Maxx 3 next to the Maxx 2 and maybe even the Alexandria. I'll post some thoughts from that listening session, but mainly when I have em in my own system...

jfrech October 07, 2008 04:02

Hi Jeff,
.
Congratulations on getting the new Maxx's. I have heard from a good friend that works at Wilson that the Maxx3's are a wonderful jump up over the 2's.
.
Please let us know about the difference once you have the 3's in place and broken in.
.
Rgds,
Larry
.

cello October 05, 2008 08:46

Jeff,
I would like to come back for more listening. Also, your idea of a regular listening group is a good one and I'm game. If not before, definitely when the Maxx III's land in your room.

gshelley October 03, 2008 16:44

ordered Maxx 3's. Since my Maxx 2's are so new, Wilson and my dealer really took care of me. 60-90 days before delivery...I can't wait !

jfrech October 03, 2008 11:08

Hi Mark, thanks for the comments, I appreciate it. Yes my 50SE/51SE I've had for 8 years now. Everything has changed around it, it seems to be hard to beat. I am considering a 52SE, Aesthetix Callisto or a Nagra PL L. Not sure when...

I replaced my first set of NOS 6h30's after 3 yrs (I should have bought more sets back then when the NOS were cheap!). I kept them and they are in my VK150SE amps right now-I do like the NOS 6h30 slightly better than the sovteks - top end is nicer.

My current 6h30's have over 4 years on them. I recently had a BAT REX in my system and a Nagra PL L. I like both of these preamps, for differing reasons, but I really don't feel like my current tubes are worn out in my 51SE. I have been suspicious of this, I do expect fresh tube to be a little better, it's just I have to go from NOS 6h30's to sovteks/EH's. I am sure it's a trade off...

So anyway, the 6h30's seem to last awhile in the BAT Preamps...

jfrech September 25, 2008 05:53

John, bitchin' system.. I've enjoyed your posts and insights over the years too. You've had the 50/51SE longer than anyone I know of. Any idea how long the 6H30 tubes lasted in your preamp before you had to replace.
Mark

classical1 September 24, 2008 17:16

Hi Vito,

Thank You.

The Maxx 2 is just a much better speaker. It does so many things better all around. NOTHING goes backwards from your WP 7's. I had the WP 6's and 8's, but have heard the 7's plenty. Bass is just the start, yes more deep, better image, much better articulation and detail. The Maxx is more seamless, sound closer to a planar type speaker in this regard. Everything is highly integrated, not that the wp 7 isn't, just the maxx pulls it off much better. It's more musical than the wp 8's I had, with out loosing any detail,top end extension...it's a tough thing to describe. The images are bigger, taller, wider deeper with more air around. Just effortless as all it does.

As the load goes...about the same, my volume setting is the same on my preamp.

Also, Wilson just announced a Maxx 3, it's on their website, I have talked to my dealer and have the new Maxx 3 on order. It's (again) a much improved design.

All of this said however, your WP 7's are still one of the best speakers made. Nothing, NOTHING wrong with them!

jfrech September 24, 2008 17:13

Congratulations on wonderful setup. Are the Maxx 2's
an easier load than the watt puppy 8's? I've owned
watt puppy 7's for about 5 years and looking to move to
the Maxx 2's. Can you comment on the impactfulness of the
bass as compared to the watt puppies?
Thanks.
Vito

vmk September 24, 2008 13:17

Thanks, glad you could come over. Maybe we need to start a music group every so often in Austin. My 51SE is back in the system and the REX is gone. Still sounds killer. If you want to hear it again with digital, just let me know...

jfrech September 24, 2008 10:33

John, Thanks a million for hosting me at your home. I really enjoyed meeting you and getting the chance to hear your system. Your entire setup is awesome and, of course, sounds great!

Thanks

gshelley September 22, 2008 16:21

Congrats on purchasing the Nagra VPS. It sounds great.

hevac1 August 08, 2008 04:16

Hi, I have a few weeks on my Maxx 2's now. They are clearly a better speaker in every area. The WP 8's were still great. The Maxx 2's just present more information, everywhere. More dynamic, more revealing, bigger, wider, deeper stage. More delicate, yet more powerful. I am sure I have more break in to go.

I also swapped my russian 6h8c's that were old in my amps. Replaced with the Tung Sol 6sn7's and swapped the EH 6v6's for Tung Sol's new production as well. The Tung sols are new, the others old, so I get a bump from just that, but the tung sols are cleary sweeter and more lifelike in the mids in the top end. I like em and they are cheap. Which is nice.

jfrech August 01, 2008 10:13

Unoear: Thanks for the note. I'd love to take the short drive to SA and listen to your set up. Plus I'd love to check out yoru AC-3 and the Craz.

jfrech July 26, 2008 09:17

Hey Jfrech,

Hello from down south in SA, Paul is right on!. Your problem is that Casey does not carry the SRA Craz rack. Change stands and go with the AC-3. I just received mine and expect to set it up when the Craz gets here. I purchased my X-2's from Casey...give Jeff a call at High Water Sound. He is one of the real deals in the industry.

unoear July 24, 2008 20:23

Tung Sol reissue 6v6 sounds really good in the VK75SE. Recently I've been using 6SN7EH pretty much everywhere, except for Raytheon or Sylvania Chrome Top in the single position in my preamp that has the greatest effect on system tonality. But there have also been good forum reports on Tung Sol reissue 6SN7.

IME, V-Cap TFTF coupling caps & replacement of internal IC takes the BAT amp much further than any tube rolling & is simple to DIY.

dgarretson July 19, 2008 12:52

Hi Dave,

I've been thinking about that. Just a little nervous. I had a MOV fail and my dealer opened up one of the amps. I did get a little squeemish seeing my expensive purist wire stoping 2 feet short of the input section with what looks like a piece of extention cord wire.

Question for you, as soon as my speakers break in, I am going to replace my dozen 6sn7's and the 4 6v6's. Do you like the Tung sol or the EH 6sn7's? Same question for the 6v6's. I can't affort NOS for this many tubes.

Thanks, maybe I should use some of my frequent flyer miles and fly you and your soldering iron down to Austin...

jfrech July 18, 2008 17:57

Consider at some point opening up those 150SEs and trying V-Cap TFTF coupling caps, as well as better wires to replace the 2' lengths of $.40/ft Belden IC-- two significant upgrades to your impressive system.

dgarretson July 18, 2008 11:42

System edited: Hi, Wilson Maxx 2's are here. Dailed in by my fabolous Austin Wilson dealer and breaking in very nicely! I also changed my phono stage from a BAT VK P10SE Superpak to a Nagra VPS. I had my heart set on a Aesthetix Io Eclipse but couldn't swing the $$'s with the Maxx 2's. The Wilson Maxx 2's are a major upgrade from my Watt Puppy 8's in every single way. I can even proclaim that with only 50 hours playing time on them. The Nagra VPS compared to my previous BAT is more transparent, has a better soundstage (width-depth-placement), and just tonally "more like live unamplified music." The BAT was pretty darn good though. The new phono cable (Purist Proteus Provectus) now is getting some time on the Nagra VPS. I just took a few pics. As my room get's cleaned up I'll post a few better pics. Right now, I am seriously enjoying music ! I am going to donate my video projection system to my church.

jfrech July 18, 2008 11:12

What is the major improvement from WP8s to the MAXX? WP8s are already transparent and throw a large soundstage,how can the MAXX improve upon it?

wadav July 14, 2008 10:59

Congrats on the Wilsons! I'm particularly interested in the Provectus spkr cables because they're solid core -- supposedly a plus (very low capacitance) when used with electrostats. I'm trying to get a set to audition, so if you wouldn't mind, ask if that would be possible (while you're spending all this $$ with Purist ;-)

I thought the Venustas TA cable sounded lik a cartridge upgrade! I can't even imagine what the PP TA would do?

nsgarch July 13, 2008 18:51

Hi !!

On the purist cable, I just trust it. So no, I didn't compare to anything else. I had upgraded a few power cords earlier this year from Dominus Ferrox and Fluid to 20th Anniversary. Honestly it was incredible the difference. So I never really considered anything other than stepping up in the Purist line up.

The Provectus tonearm cable is killer in my system. Stop by if you're ever in Austin. To me, it's as big a cartridge upgrade. I am VERY happy with it. Not a single downside from Venustas...I may swap one of my Dominus Ferrox interconnects for Proteus Provectus. It's that good IMHO.

Since my Wilson Maxx's were installed today, even more happy :) !

jfrech July 12, 2008 18:55

System edited: Wilson Maxx 2's installed today. My dealer here in Austin coming back tomorrow to dial them in. Wow. Already. I'll post a few pics next weekend and give some comments on my impressions as I get used to them...

jfrech July 12, 2008 18:48

John, what was behind your choosing the Provectus TA cable among the other upgrade choices from the Venustas?

nsgarch July 11, 2008 14:20

Hi John,

Just wishing you all the best with the new speakers!!!
I'm sure you are counting the days ............

All the best,
Tom

trcnetmsncom June 30, 2008 16:06

Jfrech: as a prior Watt Puppy Owner, you will be stunned by the upgrade to the Wilson Maxx 2's.. Congrats! you will have to relisten to your whole collection because it's all new.

cytocycle June 28, 2008 09:55