My apologies_Upgrade path from Wilson WattPuppy 7's?


Folks-

I am the naive person who posted about which speaker to buy next, my system is all McIntosh, except for the downloaded high-resolution music content. Since I have price limitations, I have been attempting to audition loudspeakers under $15K, preferably used or demos. In various stores, I have heard the following:
  • Vandersteen Quarto CT's: Great bass, but an active system that does not seem to resolve high mid-range strings like a Wilson;
  • Triton GoldenEar Reference;
  • Sonus Faber Venere S and Olympica's, great sound in the store.
Currently, I am auditioning (in-house) Wilson Yvette speakers (it cost $400 for an in-house demo), and they sound great to me, but they are too expensive, even at a reduced demo price.  I started comparing frequency and impedance curves where I could obtain them (mostly Hi-Fi news from the U.K.), but I am becoming too obsessive about this.

So, I guess I could buy the Wilson Sabrina or Wilson Sasha WP (discontinued Series 1), since I seem to like the Wilson sound. Any advice?

Thanks again - Gerry
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xgerryah930
Audiotroy:
You remind me of the Personas you always try to sell everywhere you go. A little bit on the bright side and pretty impressive at first. Then a bit too aggressive and annoying the more you listen.
My thanks for all the great responses and conversations. Although I am a scientist, I decided to change more than one variable at this time, but not yet the WattPuppy 7 speakers.

I have been talking to Rob at the Music Room in Boulder, and will be auditioning the newer PS Audio DirectStream DAC and transport with Bridge II (heavily discounted), and will be swapping out the McIntosh 275 VI amplifier for a Hegel H30 Reference power amplifier (used in stereo mode, not as monoblocks). 

I thought I would give the speakers once last chance with a more powerful amplifier. Let me know what you think of this configuration.

Once again, thank-you for all of the very helpful input - Gerry 
Tested H30.
" Not only is 350Wpc a hefty output power, the H30 meets the challenge of driving current-hungry loudspeakers by nearly doubling its 8-ohm-rated output power when driving 4 ohms (675Wpc into 4 ohms)."

Good choice, now you will hear the WP7’s for what they can do. Hope you get the H30 before changing anything else.
Pity it doesn't use Bi-Polar outputs instead of Mosfets, then they would have given some great 2ohm figures in the test done on it as well, and not just down to 4ohm.


Cheers George
George, not that it matters all that much, but it appears the statement you quoted about the amp providing 675 WPC into 4 ohms in stereo mode (which is from a TAS review) is probably taken from marketing literature, and conflicts with the independent measurements shown at this link:
Power output (stereo mode)
  • Power output at 1% THD+N: 333.3W @ 8 ohms, 499.4W @ 4 ohms
  • Power output at 10% THD+N: 365.2W @ 8 ohms, 576.0W @ 4 ohm
Also, as I read its description, it does in fact use bipolar output transistors, while using JFETs and MOSFETs elsewhere in its signal path.

That said, from a technical standpoint my only reservation about this amp would be its low input impedance (spec’d at 10K/20K unbalanced/balanced, measured at 8.6K/26.6K in stereo mode, and 5.3K/15.7K in mono mode). Many tube-based components and at least a few solid state components will have problems driving those impedances, which may constrain future changes in upstream components even if it isn’t an issue now.

Gerry, best of luck with your new components.

Regards,
-- Al

my only reservation about this amp would be its low input impedance
(spec’d at 10K/20K unbalanced/balanced
  • Power:
  • 333.3W @ 8 ohms,
  • 499.4W @ 4 ohms


As Al posted, this H30 input impedance will make for a hard impedance match with tube, TVC or passive preamps. Solid state preamps should be fine.

Also the independent wattage figures (which relate to current ability), that Al found, are not so good either, as an indication of great current ability so tread carefully.

BTW: I’m sure Al or I could come up with some amp (with good current ability) recommendations, and a higher more usable input impedance, if you want that from us?  

Cheers George