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| Letters -- July 2007 WATT/Puppy 7 versus 8 July 31, 2007 Editor, I just read your glowing review of the Wilson WATT/Puppy 8 loudspeakers. I've owned my WATT/Puppy 7s for a few years. Have you compared sonically the 7 to the 8? Do you think the upgrade to the 8 would give a substantial improvement in performance? Vito Racanelli I have not had the opportunity to compare the 7 with the 8 -- the last WATT/Puppy system I had in house before the 8 was the 6. The W/P 8 is obviously a much better speaker. Marc Mickelson, over on out sister site SoundStage!, also reviewed the 8 and made the direct comparison between it and the 7. He stated, “However, there are two specific areas in which the System 8 improves on its predecessors, and these make the newest WATT/Puppy the best of the bunch by an ample margin.” He then he goes on to describe the differences. So, according to him, I’d say you should hear the 8….Jeff Fritz Simaudio W-7M? July 27, 2007 Editor, Have you had the opportunity to listen to the Simaudio W-7M mono amplifiers? If so, I'm curious to know how they compare to the W-8, which you've reviewed in the past. I'm using the W-8 myself, so I'm interested to know if there's any audible difference between the models. The people at Simaudio assert that the mono amp is better as they've updated certain elements of its design. Hard to know. If you haven't heard them, do you think there will be any chance of getting them in for a review on Ultra Audio? M. Tan I have not heard them, but now you’ve piqued my curiosity too! I will contact the company and let you know what comes of it….Jeff Fritz Audio Note’s approach July 25, 2007 Editor, In “Searching for the Extreme: Andrew Payor of Rockport Technologies,” you state, “One camp equates the loudspeaker with a musical instrument, believing that it should resonate in a manner similar to that of a violin or guitar.” I’m not sure that is the most accurate description of what Audio Note is aiming for. Every speaker resonates, and my understanding is that they are simply using the resonances that will occur anyway in a manner that will serve most music, as opposed to harming it. Although now I’m not convinced I’m saying anything any different than what you have said above. Argh! Maybe you should contact Audio Note for clarification. I very much enjoyed the article, by the way. Rene One thing I should have stated in the article is that perhaps Audio Note is not attempting to produce an accurate loudspeaker, but one that is instead simply enjoyable -- in the eyes and ears of the designer -- for a certain market segment. Fair enough if that is the case. I still think that it creates two camps -- those that try to reproduce the input signal and nothing more versus those that alter it in a way that purposefully creates a certain sound. Audiophiles are free to follow whichever path they see as the best method of attaining enjoyment from their music collection….Jeff Fritz Miras on shortlist July 12, 2007 I’ve added the Rockport Technologies Mira to my speaker shortlist along with models from Verity Audio and Joseph Audio. Your review captured your enthusiasm and also described for me a sound I think I would like. I have been searching for mid-sized tower speakers that will also look elegant in a 100-year-old study -- the Mira seems to fill that bill. Now if I can only find a dealer that carries all three speakers. Your help has been extremely valuable; please keep up the good job. Colin F. Miras and software July 3, 2007 Editor, Very, very nice and involving review of the Rockport Miras, True to a fault, as I have heard them, I was so impressed that I wanted a pair just to have (they would be too small for my room). I noticed your choice of associated equipment. It sort of narrows my focus. (I’m looking for electronics for my Rockport Hyperions.) I understand that Vitus Audio is now working on bigger amps. Also, could you please forward me the link to your room-setup software system? Many thanks, and have a great Fourth of July holiday. Oded Zysman Thank you for the kind words. The software that I use is available at www.trueaudio.com. It is quite affordable and very easy to use. If you decide to try it, let me know what you think….Jeff Fritz
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