Wilson Audio MAXX series III

I wonder if the Maxx III can be satisfactorily driven by SET amps, specifically the 18wpc Lamm ML2.1? Some people have no problem driving the Alexandria with the ML2.1. Has anyone tried the Max III and Lamm ML2.1?

The Maxx 3's are so new, might be hard to get this combo you're asking about.

I plan to try my Maxx 3's with a single BAT VK75SE vs my current 150SE's over the Christmas/New years break. If it works out, I'll sell one amp and use the other to fund some new purchase or payoff bills (more likely(

The Maxx 3's are effortless with the BAT 150SE's...

Wilson audio says the Maxx 3 is an easier load than the Maxx 2 even though the specs indicate the Maxx 3 is 91 dB vs the 92 dB for Maxx 2. And the published nominal impedance value of 4ohm is the same. I wonder what makes the Maxx3 an easier load.

Technically I can't really answer.

But from experience, the Maxx 3 plays louder at the same volume setting on my preamp than the Maxx 2's.

My dealer commented that the better time alignment allows more of the music to arrive at the precise moment, giving the impression of "loudness". Of course that also allows a lot of detail, decay, good things to also happen. I do listen at lower volume settings now...

I've had the Maxx 3's now for a few weeks now, and went through a significant burn in phase--breaking in a pair of the Berning Quadrature Z mono's at the same time. The 3's sounded too hot and beamy for a while

Having had the Maxx2's for almost four years, the differences designed into the 3's became obvious once burn in was complete (200 hrs or so).

The 3's are significantly improved in the areas of coherence--music sounding fluid with all frequencies in exact harmony. Definitely more speed-- transients stop and start with far greater "suddenness" giving an incredible sense of musical timing. Rhythmic elements in sound literally leap from the speakers, while with the 2's the PRat was more subdued, the pace a bit slowed.

Related to that, dynamic range is w-a-y better. Quiet to loud transitions are more subtle and sinuous, literally wrapping you up in the music and capturing the scale of performances more accurately. Dynamic headroom is also vastly improved with even less noticeable compression at the extremes than the 2's (one of the 2's strengths). This is the area I imagine the X2's are still obviously better in.

Pitch articulation, weight and impact in all frequencies also seems much improved over the Maxx 2, which in my room tended to have some overhang at 60-80Hz and sounded comparatively muted in the upper mid. These Maxx 3's stop on a dime in that range and give you that "thump" to the chest and quiver of the pant leg that was missing with the Maxx 2's.

Sound in general strikes me as more three dimensional in terms of weight, presence, focus and timbrel clarity, where subtle instrument shades are more vivid and 'in front of you'. Although I appreciated the Maxx 2's while I had them, in contrast they sounded a bit fuzzy, sluggish and were nowhere near as good at defining fine transient lines, detail and pitch--the words slurred and sluggish by comparison come to mind. Again, these were fine distinctions but still noticeable in contrast.

Overall a fantastic upgrade affecting and improving the listening experience and the pleasure I derive from listening to music

My comparisons were largely made using both the new 200w Berning Quarature Z monos and ARC 210's with ARC Ref 3 and CD-7.

Love the Desert Silver color.