Wilson Maxx3 vs Avalon Isis

From what I read, Maxx3 is more flexible with a wider range of amps...even some SET tube amps will do. Isis is more demanding in this regard. Which SS amps would be a good match? and which tube amps will be a good match, without toasting my room?

Robert
You sure have a great set up. And I bet those big tube amps are hot. Have you tried your Isis with SS amps?

Missioncoonery
My kharma is just too small for my new room (17' x 21'). Not enough scale.

I have heard both Maxx3 and Isis in dealer room recently, both driven by SS amps....Goldmund Telos 200 and Pass labs 350.5 for former, and Ayre MX-R for later. With the amps used, Maxx3 had more slam and weight and scale, Isis was more refined and holographic and sweeter treble extension.
I would guess both should sound better with tubes. But for Isis, the need for big, powerful tube amps and the heat and all that would be something to consider.

I auditioned the Maxx3 with Pass labs X350.5, while the Isis was auditioned with Ayre amps. There was no direct comparison. Having said that, I lived with Pass Labs XA100 driving Kharma 3.2 for over a year and found that was a decent match, though not great. When I had the bigger Kharma 3.2.2, I tried it briefly with a Karan 270 and I was very impressed.
Pass labs are highly regarded by many people. But for me living in warmer climate, the heat generated by Pass labs amps is a consideration.

Hi Rob,

Yes indeed I have read both articles. Thanks.

I auditioned the Isis again yesterday and for fun brought my Lamm ML2.1 SET amps (18w) along. Not surprisingly, the Lamm was insufficient power for complex music. However, when we cranked up the pre-amp (Ayre KX-R) all the way to within 80%-90% of the maximun, the Lamm was as loud as the Ayre MX-R (a 300 watter), and harmonically richer even though bass was flabby. And on simple vocals, there was no comparison..Lamm ML2.1's did better. Obviously, driving the Lamm this hard will shorten tube life, and not recommended. But the Isis dealer took his hats off to a 18W SET.

After two rounds of listening, I feel the Isis has a lot of potential, but associated equipment need to be well matched as well as top rate in order to bring out the true magic of these speakers.

Hi all,
With full respect, both the Maxx 3 and Isis are both GREAT speakers. They cater to different personal preferences.
At the end, I went for the Isis for my own taste.
Thanks for all your opinions.
alec

Hi Cytocycle
I am changing amps. The ML2.1's are truly GREAT amps. But not the right match for the Isis. Would be doing injustice to both.
alec

Hi, on a different subject..I have always read that the Eton Nomex/kevlar woofers take a long time to break in. Now that i am breaking in my new Isis, i am experiencing just that. Does anyone know what is so special about this nomex/kevlar woofer that some manufacturers like Avalaon and Kharma continue to use them even though they know it takes forever to break in. And when broken in, still doesn't quite have the bass slam of more conventional material woofers used in e.g. Wilson speakers?

Hi Mtdking & Gallant diva,
I have bought the Isis, and my amps will be the Karan monoblocks. My question was about what is so special with the Eton nomex/kevlar woofers that some brands like Avalon, Kharma, Adam, etc like to use them.

Gallant_diva,
In my country, Wilson and Avalon are sold by different dealers.