Best complement to Wilson Sophia 3s?

[Cameron]

I am in the fortunate position to put together a system that (I hope) will serve me well for the next several years. I've decided on the Wilson Sophia 3s - already ordered. Now I'm narrowing pres and amps, and to some extent, sources. On the pre/amp front I've narrowed down to VTL and Spectral. Specifically VTL 6.5 and a VTL amp that I'm hoping comes out this year that bridges the gap between the ST-150s and the 450 monos. On the Spectral side, DMC 30SS and 260. I won't bore you with sources, but they're also in play.

Any advice? cautions? I've been following this forum for a year and I have grown to appreciate the quality and professionalism of the members...thx in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Steve williams]

Both are very good. My preference tends to lie with Spectral and Wilson speakers

BTW, welcome to WBF

 

[Cameron]

Thx. You've created something very good here.

I'm leaning toward Spectral. VTL sounds great too, but for reasons I can't articulate I am leaning towards Spectral. I've heard it paired with Linn Klimax and Akurate DS...really good...

 

[Steve williams]

where are you located Cameron?

In my neck of the woods, Music Lovers in Berkeley is a large Wilson and Spectral dealer and his sound room with either Sashas or Sophia 3's and Spectral is wonderful.

 

[Cameron]

Manhattan. I've been working with a great dealer here for a couple of years. Have heard all the gear on everything from Sophia to Alexandria. Oh...how I wish for the Alexandria...

 

[microstrip]

Unhappily Dartzeel is very expensive in the USA - the integrated or the separates are great matches with the Sophia's. If you like tubes, think about conrad johnson and Audio Research, two brands that sound very good with the Sophia's. I have only listened to the new REF 150 with the Sasha's, surely it will be also excellent with the little sisters.

 

[Steve williams]

I agree micro on your two choices. As you know I drove my Wilson's with ARC for years before I switched to Lamm

 

[Bruce B]

The very best SS I've heard on Wilsons are what I have, Pass Labs. Spectral was a close second. For tube, I'd go with either Doshi, Lamm or ARC

 

[Steve williams]

I wouldn't use Lamm SET on Sophias (not efficient enough) but would suggest Vladimir's M 1.2 Reference.

Krell is also very good with Wilson as is Mark Levinson

 

[Cameron]

Helpful...thx. I've more to think about now!

 

[JackD201]

I'm not to keen on the VTL-450s. The S-400 on the other hand, I like a hell of a lot. I will second XA series Pass Labs and the Spectral 260s for Solid State.

The Lamm ML1.1 push pull is no longer in production. At 90wpc for some reason I still think the 18wpc ML2.1 filled a room better through the midrange on up. I would take the M1.2 Reference over the ML1.1 which I've found a bit uptight with the wrong speakers. The M2.2 will deliver a wallop if you are into playing loud and sonically is not far off from the M1.2 while it's operating in its Class A range.

 

[Steve williams]

I would agree with everything you say Jack except the one where you suggest driving the Sophia 3 with ML 2.2's. I just don't feel the Sophias are efficient enough for an SET amp

 

[JackD201]

Actually I wouldn't suggest it either Steve. Not that I'd ever tried it but because I remember a show picture taken some time back with Sophia 1s and Vladimir had them right up against the front wall. It suggested, to me anyway, that he was looking for a whole lot of boundary support. If you look closely I said M2.2 - The 220wpc Hybrid

 

[Steve williams]

I like the M 1.2 Reference

 

[JackD201]

It is the better amp between the hybrids. I use them for the mids and treble with Tele CCa Redtips or Mullard CV2492s, the 2.2s just do mid bass duty these days. I find the 1.2s more "alive", it's a harmonics thing. The M2.2 loses some of this and becomes all "neat and orderly" when they start crossing over into the AB mode. Loses that "breath of life thing by comparison to the 1.2 and especially compared to the SET brethren. The bass pitch and punch of the M2.2 is IMO superior and defies the fact that they are only twice the rated power. By itself though, I think it is the most underrated Lamm amp. The price difference of the 2.2 is just a few hundred dollars below the 1.2 Reference, yet I've sold at least twice as many as these despite the almost total lack of press. Lotsa people with hungry speakers over here.

 

[KeithR]

BAT sounded superb with my Sophia 1s back in the day.

i think the nice thing about Sophias is they are relatively tube friendly---so i would pass on the ss recommendations and look for a good 75-100 watt tube amp. Vac would work very well too.

 

[mullard88]

I've never acquired any Wilson Sophia speakers. I had the Wilson Watt/Puppy 5 and I still have the Wilson Watt original release. My favorite amplification for both are Spectral DMC 20 sreies 1 or 2 preamp connected to the Lamm M1.1 or the M1.2 Reference amps.

 

[Mike]

Helpful...thx. I've more to think about now!

Any update, Cameron?

 

[Cameron]

Landed on tubes tonight. Frankly wanted to like Spectral (which I did...a lot) but the VTLs won in the end. I'm thinking 450s. Thanks for the advice...will update further once everything settles in.

 

[Cameron]

Oh...and Linn Klimax for the source...ordered that too...