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Sophia 1 with McIntosh/Lamm tubes? Please advise

My system is now B&W 804S, McIntosh MC275 amp and Lamm LL2 preamp, and Rel Storm III sub. The Lamm was the latest addition about 1.5 years ago and I REALLY like it.

I'm thinking of a next upgrade, either the speakers or amp. If I were to upgrade amp today I would probably go with Lamm ML1 or M1.1 hybrid. However, I'm leaning towards upgrading speakers first. Right track? BTW, the following upgrade would be a couple years away.

My budget for speakers is $5-6k, maybe $7k if I can let the sub go. Thinking of buying used. I've been reading about Wilson Sophia 1, Merlin VSM, and DeVore Nines (Silverbacks likely beyond my budget). Do you think these would match well with tubes? The Sophias are 89 dB (vs my B&W at 91 dB), but said to play very well at moderate levels. I'm certainly open to other suggestions.

I really enjoy the sense of 3D spaciousness during playback, the "musicians in the room" holographic presentation. Absolute true tonal balance is less important to me, to the extent is not grossly off, of course. Musicality and high definition are important, and also bass extension and definition.

The room is 33x15x8 ft, speakers on a short side, spaced about 7.5 ft between them, and 5 ft from front wall. Listening position on an equilateral triangle.

Music tastes: all over the place, but mostly rock, blues and jazz. The dynamic range/impact the Sophias are said to have are appealing too.
lewinskih01
ricred1
2,004 posts
 
Lewinskih01,
I've been enjoying this hobby for over 20 years and the best advice I can give you is to take advice/opinions with a very big grain of salt. I have owned many speakers, including Sophia 2s, 3s, and now Sasha's. The Sasha's are by far the best speaker I've ever owned. I like forums because they can offer food for thought...meaning someone may mention a product that I never thought of. When I was searching to replace my Sophia 3S, I received and listened to many recommendations, but in the end my ears choose Sasha's. Decide on how much you want to spend and then try to listen to as many combinations as you can. You are listening to a system, more than individual components. The trick is to find a dealer that's capable of putting together a synergistic combination within your budget. Last I'll leave you with this, just because I love Sasha's, doesn't mean you or anyone else will love them...there are no absolutes in audio, only preferences! Let your ears choose!
gpgr4blu
1,082 posts
 
I agree with Ricred1. I too have owned a number of Wilson speakers including Sophias, Watt Puppy 7s and Sashas. Sashas are, to my ears, among the best speakers out there----at any price----. But they are a tough load in portions of the low end. Wilson critics disagree on the merits of the speakers of course.
IMHO Sophias are one of the best values in audio in their used price category. I remember listening to them with a Naim Nait at 15 wpc after I read an article by Robert Harley in which he said the combo worked. He was right. The Sophias can be driven by virtually anything. Listen for yourself if possible.
keithr
1,306 posts
 
People recommending Sashas clearly havent read the OPs budget recs.
ricred1
2,004 posts
 
Keithr
I'm not recommending Sasha's, I was pointing out that I owned many Wilson speakers and my best advise was to listen to as many products within his price range and let his ears decide. Listening is the only way to know if a combination works. I should have explained a little more, because of his comments concerning the low sensitivity of Avalons. Many suggest Sasha's are very hard do drive, but my 125 watt amps drive them without strain...point being don't discount Avalons or any speaker until you hear them with your own electronics.
lewinskih01 OP
909 posts
 
I also believe in listening as the best way to decide what's best. I really do. In fact, while I lived in the US this is how I went about choosing equipment.

However, now I live in South America, where auditioning these is impossible. Yet in a couple of months I will have the chance to bring something in a container. I know this is far from ideal, but that's what I have to work with. At the end of the day if I don't lke the combo I can resell it here at a financial gain.

Sophia 1s and MC275 seem like an option, to some ears - not to Missioncoonery's tastes, though.

Let me ask differently: if you had a Lamm LL2, a McIntosh MC275, and B&W 804S and $6k to spend, what would you upgrade first?
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