Exclusive to our Substack subscribers, we host a weekly Q&A every Monday. Our team of veteran writers, reviewers, and editors hand select a few to answer every Friday. Perhaps you’re having trouble with a specific amplifier, or desire a deeper understanding of transmission line speakers, from the general to the specific, post your questions here and come back on Friday to see them answered!
I have a few questions in regards to Robert Harley’s recent review of the Wadax Studio Player. Thank you for the review.
My first question is in regards to the two options for output: fixed and variable. Apparently Mr Harley chose to use the variable output feeding the Wadax output directly into his amplifier. Was there a reason for this particular choice? Would going through a linestage, mine is an AR 6SE, affect Mr Harley’s review in any significant manner?
Second question is how does the Wadax performance compare with the similar priced (albeit without a CD/SACD Transport) of The Linn Klimax Organik streamer? I run the Linn through the aforementioned AR 6SE into a pair of AR 140m mkii’s. The speakers are Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4s Nordist Valhalla speaker cables, ODIN 2 Power Cords and Interconnects. Linn Klimax LP , WTH Nordost Tone Arm cable. A Luxman D 10x. Nordost QBase Reference for the components and linestage and phonostage. The Monoblocks are plugged into Hospital grade outlets that are powered by (the whole listening room is as well) an Equitech 5 Q wall unit. The walls are ASC isowalls, along with ASC towers and Soffit along the 4 walls. With further additions of acoustic treatment in the works.
Update on this: DeVORE recommends pointing these speakers straight ahead, and towing them only worsens the image. Pushing them farther apart so they are both four inches closer to the side walls made a huge difference. I'm really surprised by what a difference this made. This also reinforces the bass, so I'm hesitant to push them further out as the bass is already on the verge of boominess. Removing the sliders and resting the speakers back on their spikes will likely eliminate the bloom, but it makes trying new positions tedious, as you need to add and remove the sliders each time.
I have a pair of DeVORE Fidelity super nine that are well known for their ability to produce a deep and wide soundstage and pinpoint imaging. All that is correct, but I have not been able to get the soundstage to expand outside of the speakers. The speakers are 1/3 into the room and 25" from the side walls. I also have GIK absorption/diffusers at the first reflection point. What suggestions do you have that might expand the soundstage outside the speakers?
Play around with toe-in, from straight ahead to crossed in front of your listening position, to see if it helps.
I have a few questions in regards to Robert Harley’s recent review of the Wadax Studio Player. Thank you for the review.
My first question is in regards to the two options for output: fixed and variable. Apparently Mr Harley chose to use the variable output feeding the Wadax output directly into his amplifier. Was there a reason for this particular choice? Would going through a linestage, mine is an AR 6SE, affect Mr Harley’s review in any significant manner?
Second question is how does the Wadax performance compare with the similar priced (albeit without a CD/SACD Transport) of The Linn Klimax Organik streamer? I run the Linn through the aforementioned AR 6SE into a pair of AR 140m mkii’s. The speakers are Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4s Nordist Valhalla speaker cables, ODIN 2 Power Cords and Interconnects. Linn Klimax LP , WTH Nordost Tone Arm cable. A Luxman D 10x. Nordost QBase Reference for the components and linestage and phonostage. The Monoblocks are plugged into Hospital grade outlets that are powered by (the whole listening room is as well) an Equitech 5 Q wall unit. The walls are ASC isowalls, along with ASC towers and Soffit along the 4 walls. With further additions of acoustic treatment in the works.
Update on this: DeVORE recommends pointing these speakers straight ahead, and towing them only worsens the image. Pushing them farther apart so they are both four inches closer to the side walls made a huge difference. I'm really surprised by what a difference this made. This also reinforces the bass, so I'm hesitant to push them further out as the bass is already on the verge of boominess. Removing the sliders and resting the speakers back on their spikes will likely eliminate the bloom, but it makes trying new positions tedious, as you need to add and remove the sliders each time.
I have a pair of DeVORE Fidelity super nine that are well known for their ability to produce a deep and wide soundstage and pinpoint imaging. All that is correct, but I have not been able to get the soundstage to expand outside of the speakers. The speakers are 1/3 into the room and 25" from the side walls. I also have GIK absorption/diffusers at the first reflection point. What suggestions do you have that might expand the soundstage outside the speakers?