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| Letters -- December 2004 WATCH Dog 2 and Alexandria X-2 integration December 22, 2004 To Jeff Fritz, How are you integrating the Wilson Audio WATCH Dog 2 subwoofer and Alexandria X-2s in your system? I wouldn't think you are crossing over the X-2 -- inserting a crossover in the signal path would cause some type of audible degradation. I have a Rel subwoofer, and it's not necessary or preferred to use it this way. The subwoofer is not in the signal path. Love the website and "TWBAS." Benjamin You're correct -- I'm not crossing over the X-2s. They play plenty low enough without any help. I use the WATCH Dog 2 for multichannel music and home theater, primarily. The subwoofer therefore has its own feed -- the low-frequency effects channel -- that stays separate from the left and right audio signals. I do have two sets of left/right outputs on my preamplifier so that a separate feed could be sent to the subwoofer if I chose to use the WATCH Dog 2 with music. I know that in most of the Wilson Audio demonstrations that include a WATCH Dog 2, that's how it's connected...Jeff Fritz 240V vs. 120V December 8, 2004 To Jeff Fritz, I enjoy your "The World’s Best Audio System" column. I own a pair of Krell FPB-650Mc monoblocks now powered off 240V that are driven directly by a Wadia 27ix/270 digital combo powered by batteries. My speakers are Dunlavy SC-VIs. I use the Roger Waters Amused to Death CD as a reference for imaging comparisons and especially for comparing bass. One example is track 12, "Three Wishes," where there is very deep bass when the genie is talking. The voice and deep bass pan from the right side to the left. When the Krells were running on 120V, the bass was not very well controlled, but when I switched to 240V, the bass tightened up substantially and the treble became more refined. However, it is the treble that I am less satisfied with in my system. When I hear dense passages, especially on rock recordings, they are most often smeared, especially on vocals. Now that I think about it, I should hook up my Bryston amps and see if the smearing is consistent with that of the Krells. On the one hand I hate to think it is in the recording, and on the other the Krell amps were a big investment. I would hate to think that this aspect of performance was overlooked. Comments welcome. Rich Magnussen If the bass is better with 240V than 120V, but the change has wrought less-satisfying vocals, I'd bet the two are related. Sometimes a stronger bass line can subjectively muddy the midrange. Your speakers are capable of extreme bass, and the Krells have always been known as bass champions, so perhaps with the 240V line you have too much of a good thing. As a fix, if possible, move your big speakers out into the room a smidgen and see if the vocals clear up. I'm thinking that perhaps a little less boundary reinforcement will lighten the bass just enough to remove that vocal smearing. If you can give this a try (those speakers are heavy!), let me know how it works out.....Jeff Fritz Build quality December 6, 2004 To Jeff Fritz, Have you ever heard any of the newer Chinese audio components that are flooding our shores? Since you seem to always mention the build quality of the components you write about in your "The World's Best Audio System" column, I'd be interested to know what you think. Supposedly you can get a lot for your money with some of these brands, but the quality control is suspect. Frank Messerau I have not had any Shanling, Korsun or other Chinese products in my system. Frankly, I do look very closely at the build quality of every piece that comes in to me, just as you would a high-end car, home, or whatever. You have the right to expect very high quality -- both in the sound and build departments -- when you pay a lot for something. I'd see if you can hook up with an owner of whatever piece you're considering and get a first-hand account. Pictures can look great, but reality does sometimes vary....Jeff Fritz
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