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Wilson Sophia2s demand better than AYRE V5xe, so..

...What would you recommend?

Just took delivery of Wilson Sophia 2s. Plinius CD101 - Ayre K1xe - Ayre V5xe - Sophia 2s. Synergistic Research cables.

The K1xe is very good, I'd like to keep it, but I need a new amp.

The V5xe is too lean in the midbass, no texture or bloom. Soundstage is okay, but not "full" enough. No deep bass!

At the RMAF, I liked VAC phi 200s on the Von Schweikert VR-9se AND on the Greshman Black Swans as a point of reference.

I'm open to tubes or SS, but I think tubes might get me where I want to go. I'm looking for very full and detailed imaging that absolutely floats in the air, with intense layering, body and texture. I need better control over these speakers, and stronger deep bass output, speakers sound too thin now. I want fullness of images like MBL speakers, but with a more natural, involving midrange like the best Acapellas.

Budget is 10k new or used. Again, looking for a warmer, natural sound with very delineated images that complement my dynamic Wilson speakers, so don't underpower me!...
hce4
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
10-24-08: Mtdking
Johnnyb53,

What preamp were they using with the Siegfrieds?
It was an all top-of-the-line VTL amplification chain, so I'm pretty sure the line stage was the TL-7.5 Series II Reference Line Preamplifier. Not sure what the phono stage was.

This was at the "Because the Music Matters" event hosted by Definitive Audio of Seattle. Mikey Fremer was a guest host for the event, and co-hosts and sponsors included David Wilson of Wilson Audio Specialties as well as founders and reps for VTL, Transparent, Classe, and others. The demo that so grabbed me was a joint effort put together by VTL, Wilson, and Transparent. Mikey was operating the SME turntable.

So anyway, in this particular room, the system had the best that Wilson, VTL, and Transparent had to offer in October 2006.
mtdking
157 posts
 
I think the preamp had to be the 7.5 series I since the series II hadn't come out yet in 2006.
hce4 OP
48 posts
 
Kurt_Tank,

Thanks for the input, being in CA too, I know the heat will be a bear to deal with!

Also, did you try the M1.1/M1.2? I'm wondering how the 100 watt version compared to the 200 watt version?

Thanks!
mtdking
157 posts
 
The Lamm M1.1 came out in 1994 and being that it is full class A amp you would have to start to worry about maintenance on the amp. Now the M1.2 that came out in 2004 would be a very nice amp for the Sophia II but at that price range your getting into the Dartzeels, Audio Research Ref's of the world.

I will have to disagree that the Lamm M1.1 has more bass output then the VTL MB-450 sigs. Maybe the VTL MB-450 were not sigs that you were listening too. There are about 6 different version of MB-450. I have had both and I thought the VTL had more bass and was deeper. Solid state will for the most part be tighter but I think tube amps have a much more natural sounding bass.
jdolgin
82 posts
 
There is absolutely no way to adequately set up the sophias in such a complicated space in 30 minutes.
I'd recommend you do 3 things. 1)Photograph the space.
2) draw a schematic of the room to scale, 3) Contact customer service/support at Wilson Audio in Utah and send them all of the pix and drawings. See if they think this set-up is in any way appropriate. I'd discuss the "quickie" set up system used by your dealer. I'd bet they'd suggest the set-up is "sub-optimal" and I'd guess they have some suggestions to help. I'd caution against buying electronics until the speakers are properly positioned. In my room, once the set-up was optimal everything snapped into focus both spacially and in term of tonal ballance. My speakers sound very different from your description with every single amp I tried.
The sophias are usually positioned with more toe-in than you describe, and certainly more than 6" breathing room behind the speakers.
JIm
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