[Desertpilot]

Hello everyone,

I just passed two years of ownership!  I own three X3s up front plus two SVS Ultra bookshelves for rear surround (ITU format) and two SVS SB13 Ultra subwoofers to handle frequencies below 40 Hz.  Core i9 Music Server with JRiver Media Center connected via USB to my ExaSound S88 DAC.  I play almost exclusively Classical surround music.  I am still impressed every day with sound reproduction in my listening space.  Music provides me with a broad and deep soundstage.  It all takes place behind my speakers (pulled five feet out) and spread all along my front wall.  Individual instruments are distinct, easily located, and well blended with all other instruments.  Technology changes and at 72 years old, I've done my share of upgrades.  The new X4 Ultras offer an outboard crossover network.  I wish I had that option for possible easy upgrades.  But, I just don't feel the need for any upgrades or improvements.  So, the X3s are my "end game" speakers.

In the classical world, we are blessed with robust and finely tuned recording/mastering techniques.
-- One of my favorite studios is TRPTK.  Brendon announced an improvement to his technique last year.  "Lower Resolution, Better Sound Quality?" https://trptk.com/lower-resolution-better-sound-quality/.  Essentially, he records in DSD 256 and masters in DXD (352.8/64).  I just downloaded two new albums in DXD 352.8/32 (WAV Format) employing this new technique.
---- " Eclipse, Vol. 2: Hans Henkemans" https://trptk.com/shop/downloads/eclipse-vol-2-hans-henkemans/.  Mostly solo piano.  The piano is faithfully reproduced.  It certainly sounds to me as if it is in my Livingroom.
---- "Into Eternity" https://trptk.com/shop/downloads/into-eternity/.  This is an ensemble recording.  The first three tracks are incredibly sad.  There is a video on YouTube of the recording:  "The Letter of Vilma Grunwald (Into Eternity)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvbZBLl_Lyg.  My system reproduces the music to tremendous emotional impact.  Track four changes direction and the rest of the album is more a jazz/chamber fusion album.
-- Another favorite studio is The Spirit of the Turtle featuring recording/mastering engineer Bert van der Wolf.  He invented microphones to faithfully capture ambient sound without competing with the front three speakers.  I own numerous recordings produced by him.  My most recent purchases are solo piano.
---- "Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87 (2 DISCS Download)" https://spiritofturtle.com/collections/latest-releases/products/hannes-minnaar-24-preludes-fugues-op-87-2-discs-download.  My copy is DXD 352.8/24 (FLAC format) surround.  Again, the piano is spectacular.
-- Reference Recordings using the Soundmirror team for recording/mastering does a fantastic job, especially with symphonies.
---- "Bruckner: Symphony No. 9" https://www.nativedsd.com/product/fr733-bruckner-symphony-no-9/.  This symphony gets a lot of play time on my system.  It is huge and dynamic.  This was Bruckner's conception of music revealing a soul's journey into the afterlife.  Every part of your system is pushed to the max.  It is truly overwhelming emotionally.

I play music every day (yes, I'm happily retired).  I play these albums, and many more, repeatedly and I'm never disappointed.  My X3s reproduce every instrument (including vocals) beautifully.  My system is good.  The X3s are given a "bit perfect" signal and they reply with incredible realism.  I cannot ask for more.

Marcus

[Early B.]

You're 72??? You look 52. Must be the music keeping you young.
 

[Desertpilot]

Thank you!  A gift of youthful genetics from my Parents.

[Mr. Big]

Hello everyone,

I just passed two years of ownership!  I own three X3s up front plus two SVS Ultra bookshelves for rear surround (ITU format) and two SVS SB13 Ultra subwoofers to handle frequencies below 40 Hz.  Core i9 Music Server with JRiver Media Center connected via USB to my ExaSound S88 DAC.  I play almost exclusively Classical surround music.  I am still impressed every day with sound reproduction in my listening space.  Music provides me with a broad and deep soundstage.  It all takes place behind my speakers (pulled five feet out) and spread all along my front wall.  Individual instruments are distinct, easily located, and well blended with all other instruments.  Technology changes and at 72 years old, I've done my share of upgrades.  The new X4 Ultras offer an outboard crossover network.  I wish I had that option for possible easy upgrades.  But, I just don't feel the need for any upgrades or improvements.  So, the X3s are my "end game" speakers.

In the classical world, we are blessed with robust and finely tuned recording/mastering techniques.
-- One of my favorite studios is TRPTK.  Brendon announced an improvement to his technique last year.  "Lower Resolution, Better Sound Quality?" https://trptk.com/lower-resolution-better-sound-quality/.  Essentially, he records in DSD 256 and masters in DXD (352.8/64).  I just downloaded two new albums in DXD 352.8/32 (WAV Format) employing this new technique.
---- " Eclipse, Vol. 2: Hans Henkemans" https://trptk.com/shop/downloads/eclipse-vol-2-hans-henkemans/.  Mostly solo piano.  The piano is faithfully reproduced.  It certainly sounds to me as if it is in my Livingroom.
---- "Into Eternity" https://trptk.com/shop/downloads/into-eternity/.  This is an ensemble recording.  The first three tracks are incredibly sad.  There is a video on YouTube of the recording:  "The Letter of Vilma Grunwald (Into Eternity)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvbZBLl_Lyg.  My system reproduces the music to tremendous emotional impact.  Track four changes direction and the rest of the album is more a jazz/chamber fusion album.
-- Another favorite studio is The Spirit of the Turtle featuring recording/mastering engineer Bert van der Wolf.  He invented microphones to faithfully capture ambient sound without competing with the front three speakers.  I own numerous recordings produced by him.  My most recent purchases are solo piano.
---- "Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87 (2 DISCS Download)" https://spiritofturtle.com/collections/latest-releases/products/hannes-minnaar-24-preludes-fugues-op-87-2-discs-download.  My copy is DXD 352.8/24 (FLAC format) surround.  Again, the piano is spectacular.
-- Reference Recordings using the Soundmirror team for recording/mastering does a fantastic job, especially with symphonies.
---- "Bruckner: Symphony No. 9" https://www.nativedsd.com/product/fr733-bruckner-symphony-no-9/.  This symphony gets a lot of play time on my system.  It is huge and dynamic.  This was Bruckner's conception of music revealing a soul's journey into the afterlife.  Every part of your system is pushed to the max.  It is truly overwhelming emotionally.

I play music every day (yes, I'm happily retired).  I play these albums, and many more, repeatedly and I'm never disappointed.  My X3s reproduce every instrument (including vocals) beautifully.  My system is good.  The X3s are given a "bit perfect" signal and they reply with incredible realism.  I cannot ask for more.

Marcus

Good to hear you can now sit back and enjoy your music and the system, that is the end game in this hobby when you reach it. I have with my Sapphires and I'll be heart at heart this year #72 also. Your room is the biggest component in your system and am still amazed when I remove even one panel or even switch them around how drastically the sound can change from balanced to thin and ultra-wide sound stage and back again to normal when I return the panels to the proper place.
I also learned from the speaker if your room is not wide then compensate for that by bringing them closer together even though it may not seem right for your room it very well might be. And sound better and more open because your speakers have more breathing room around them and to the side, you have to compromise sometimes and make the best of your situation.

[Daryl Zero]

You're 72??? You look 52. Must be the music keeping you young.

I'm thinking that he's using a picture of himself for his avatar when he was in high school. I think he looked 45 in high school whereas my pic shows my true age.

[StefanS]

You are so right Desertpilot... I have a pair of X3 and a Lyngdorf 3400 because my room being sort of a cathedral only that amp with its Roomperfect could make a miracle...
Thanks Clayton Shaw and thanks Peter Lyngdorf to make every day a musical joy.

[timing3435]

I have had mine for a little over two years, and I still love them. I  am always finding new things in the music with them. Easy to get lost in time. I cannot imagine not having them. Timing3435