new member, some questions, need help please


Hi, my name is Jaime.  I've been lurking this site more intensely over the past few months as i'm at the end of my career and would like to assemble a very nice, better than mediocre equipment and listening environment.  I was heavily into audio and considered myself an novice audiophile for a few year back in circa 1988.  Got into med school, married, children, mortgage, fast cars, fine wines and, well, you know how it goes thereafter.  fast forward onto the current epoch, a few lbs heavier, tinnitus in one ear and still have the bug and still covet some equipment that I could not afford back then.  Well, don't hear too much of Mark Levinson, Wilson Audio is still around, cassette player are out (remember Nakamichi :-) ), now there's so much digital this and digital that, servers, streamers.... I've got much to learn.  But, for now, I just have one question regarding one piece of the audio chain...... speakers

I've alway wanted to own Wilson Watt puppy ever since I first heard them in 1990 paired with Jadis amp and preamp.  Wow, still remember back then the music was palpable and haunting (remember i was and still am a novice).  I"d like to return to Watt puppy and a great amp, but here's my question:  Specifically regarding Watt puppy series 8..... are they too old to be meaningful in 2024? Do speakers lose their magic to an extent that renders them less capable to a significant extent after 15-18 years (assuming proper physical condition condition for their age) or do they still have enduring quality sound after all these years?  I know that my ears and temporal lobes of my brain ultimately have to please me, but I do have to start somewhere with some knowledge moving forward, hence my ask for help.. thank you very much in advance.

Jaime

jaimeromero

Welcome back!

Age alone would not hinder me from getting speakers that you love, as long as the surrounds aren’t degraded, or any ferro fluid isn’t dried up.

I’ll second the Magico recommendation, and add speakers from Claryis Audio.  Sonus Faber is another top level name that's well regarded.

Age would be a factor as Wilson's are known to have issuwith surrounds degrading over time however newer loudspeakers will outperform them

 

Focal aria legacy and atc will sound better 

Auditoroy my Andra after twenty yrs they need to have recone on the woofer. Many owners of Andra gave up too soon. I almost did . I believe old speakers still keep their magic as long as they are played and maintained. My KLH model 9 still sound good. The original owner took care of them. Jaime if you really love the WP go for it. Make sure they are in good shape.I would also recommend to listen to other speakers.

You don’t say what your budget is, so it is difficult to give you clear advice.  However, I have a pair of Wilson Sabrina X’s that I love very much, powered by a Pass Labs 250.8.  A great combo and if bought used, you can have your “retirement” system! 

This very recent thread should answer your questions.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/wilson-watt-3-puppy-2-loudspeaker

Wierd...almost smells like someone’s wanting to get rid of some old watt puppy real bad and the stars are getting lined up for that desperate soul ...something in the air, I say.

I suppose you can get one and try modding the crossover to tame some of its issues, make it a project speaker if you can snag one dirt cheap.