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Component recommendations for Wilson Audio Alexx

hi forum - i'm especially interested in opinions from fellow Wilson Audio Alexx owners on this topic.

I took delivery of my Alexx a couple months ago and am looking at upgrading my streamer/DAC and pre-amp. I feel all set on my amp, which is a Soulution 710 and my cabling, which is purist audio for speaker cables and XLR interconnects. I only listen via streaming and use Tidal hifi, which has masters/mqa, so would prefer a DAC that could support that.

my main dilemma is while my local dealer is fantastic, they carry a relatively narrow range (at the upper end) for streamer/DAC and pre-amp. Their main lines for streamer/DAC are dCS and Linn. I think they also carry Naim but to be honest it's never in the reference room for some reason. In the pre-amp space, it is ARC and D'Agostino. I have read lots of reviews on MSB, CH Precision, Aurender, Lampizator on the DAC side and Soulution, CH, ARC, Kondo on the preamp side, but it's very difficult to actually demo any of these brands.

On the specific questions, I'd love input from other Alexx owners on 1) what setup you've landed on for your digital source and preamp, and 2) what options did you explore (or have) and decide against?

Budget is not a big deal, but if it gets spend-y I look at the pre-owned market first for electronics.

Thanks forum!
kantian22
kantian22 OP
6 posts
 
thanks again @georgehifi  for the suggestion and 1st hand experience with that setup. i do acknowledge @4425 point, but baselining the listening with dac/streamer direct to amp and then testing the pre-amp integration would sort this.

@mdp632 spectral has come up a few times in my research, but I haven't given it serious consideration. i'll take a closer look...no local dealers in my area (that i'm aware of), which can make it bit of a pain. On Soulution, i've gotten mixed reviews even from Soulution dealers on the DAC, at least when compared to MSB or dCS. 

@charles1dad  - thanks - that was my read, too, which is why not even acknowledging the response without more clarity on intent :)

seems the outcome is definitely MSB and dCS should be in the top 3 for a "listen off" and maybe a 3rd brand. i like the idea of direct to amp and then bring in pre-amp...that seems surest way to ensure money best spent and can also assess impact on sonic performance step-by-step.

thanks forum!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Thanks again @georgehifi for the suggestion and 1st hand experience with that setup.

What I was trying to get across, because your purchasing very $$$$$ hi-end, any dealer "worth his salt" would only gladly demo his $$K preamp "in your system" up against going direct from the MSB.
This way there is no outlay for the preamp for yourself if it doesn’t cut the mustard, if you buy one you "could" end up stuck with it to resell at a substantial loss from the new purchase price. (like a new car value drops at least 15% when it’s driven out of the showroom) My view is the odds are with you going direct.

Cheers George
4425
861 posts
 
kind of funny in that in contrast i think that if you try an A+ pre in the mix you’ll prefer it and it won’t take long. however YMMV
jackd
1,037 posts
 
Based on recent reports you might want to add the newest EMM gear to the list along with the Lumin X1 if all you're going to do is stream Tidal or another service. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Excellent and wise advice has been provided in this thread. Kantian22 is in a position to acquire exceptional audio components and needs to be methodical in his approach. Direct DAC to amplifier versus insertion of a superb preamplifier. Listen and "trust" your ears. You’ll find countless debates in audiophile forums on which approach is superior. There will never be consensus as it's too personal a decision with multiple factors/variables  to consider.   When all is said and done, have confidence in yourself and trust what you hear. Kantian22 you have an opportunity to assemble a truly fabulous audio system and I believe that you will.
Charles
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