Starting from Basically Scratch. Help me power some Wilson Watt Puppys
Alright hopefully the title explains the basics. I just made a deal on some Wilson 4Ω Watt Puppys (Series 7), along with a self powered Wilson Watch Dog.
Starting from scratch for PreAmp/DAC/Amp. This is actually to use primarily Firestick, Chromecast, and PS4 (I have a bunch of consoles, but those all get HDMI combined into one HDMI port and sound is not priority these obviously). Music is pretty varied. Hip Hop, Orchestral, Jazz, etc. Will likely try to stream some Hi-Res Audio where I can, but can tackle that bridge later, but keeping that in mmind for components today...
I’m OK with all in one Integrated. I’ve been looking at the Linn Majik, which looks like it would do everything, with 43-100W of Power (power depending on generation I find). I feel like the Puppys would want more power though.
Also looking at splitting everything up with Schiit components.
I really like the look of the Devialet Expert 200-220.though I would need a pre-amp to get all the sources to that one. Can find that for $2k-$3k used
I’ve always loved the idea of McIntosh, but the budget won’t allow it here.
I have a fair knowledge background in car audio, but the more I look at home audio, I see huge differences that I haven’t learned yet. For Example High end big speakers, talking about "minimum power of 12w" etc.
Thoughts? It’s always fun to spend someone else’s money right?
Thanks everyone that reads this chapter one of my book.
Kurtis
I am driving a pair of WATT/Puppy 6's in my home theater system with a pair of Bryston 7B ST monoblocks, rated 500 W at 8 ohms with a high current configuration of 800 W at 4 ohms or lower. The W/P 6 can be a difficult load with an impedance dip at certain frequencies, so I opted for the Bryston monoblock, a gutsy amp with enough clean power and tolerant of difficult impedance loads. Granted they are an older design, but I see a pair for sale NOS for $2850. |
Your sources are a problem. A Firestick, Chromecast and a PS4 are HDMI and all of the above suggestions short of the Linn piece aren't compatible with HDMI. That being said, if those sources are going into a TV and you plan to use the optical out of the TV into the Hegal for instance then that would work. Otherwise your current sources need to be figured out first since there's no information you mention on how you plan to get audio out of those. |
@sunshdw You're spot on with some of my hurdles. I can buy a CLEAN used Linn, and basically use it to combine the HDMI Sources, and either go Analog out using the DAC of the Linn, or go out digital optical, and use different DAC or a seperate or part of an integrated. Also send everything to the TV and HDMI ARC or Optical out is an option. 🤷♂️ |
In my humble opinion and for future upgrades, I would run all your sources into the TV and run optical back to whatever integrated. Once you get rid of/upgrade your current sources that Linn would basically be useless since it's main focus is HDMI sources and seems to be the only connections. I'd buy something with as much power that you can afford (the Hegal is a good option) that has a optical input and those Wilsons will thank you for it. |
