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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
mtdking
157 posts
 
If you got lean bass with the speakers that close to the back wall just wait if the speakers get moved out from the wall. If the speakers are that close to the wall behind them you should have to much bass.

A square room doesn't help so maybe that is the reason for the speaker placement that they came up with. You can not follow someone else room placement as yours can be completely different. You can always make your current location with tape and try moving them around and see if it sounds better.

You can always try Cardas speaker placement. I has always worked well for me.
http://www.cardas.com/content.php?area=insights&content_id=33&pagestring=Room+Setup+8
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Hi, Johnnyb53 makes some pretty good points. As a Wilson owner, and one who has had 2 different dealers, one ok, and one super, the setup here is critical. I'd give your dealer a 2nd chance then call Wilson directly.

I have sat back and watched this thread unfold. You have great speakers, great electronics, good cables. You should be happy. Breakin could be a culprit.

Any chance a speaker is wired out of phase? Or you have some electronic issue?

I do like tubes with my Wilsons, but I am surprised by your comments on your sound. You have a good selection of equipment, yes you can always get better.

If you spend much more, I'd say step up to Watt Puppy 7 or 8's....and keep your electronics.
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Hello Mtdking,

You wrote: "I will have to disagree that the Lamm M1.1 has more bass output then the VTL MB-450 sigs."

Assuming you wrote that because of my post, (I believe I was the only one to recommend the Lamms in this thread), I would like to point out that what I actually wrote was that the M2.2 (and hence the M2.1) amplifiers have more bass output than the VTL MB-450 sigs. Please note that the M2.2 has 220 wpc (and the M2.1 has 200 wpc), which (obviously) is double the power of the 100 wpc Lamm M1.1 amps. (I don't even think that I mentioned the M1.1 amps actually, so I am not sure why you brought that up.)

And, I fully stand behind what I wrote. The Lamms (that I mentioned) have incredibly great bass response. And yes, they do indeed have better bass response than the VTLs, based upon our direct comparison.

My two cents worth.
gtfour45
39 posts
 
I am also a Sophia 2 owner and can endorse the earlier comments regarding toe-in for Wilson speakers.

Mine are toed-in so that only a small slice of the inner surface is visible from the listening seat.

In my setup experience, soundstage & image precision increased with amount of toe-in. At a certain point, the image really snaps into focus. I recommend you mark the dealer positions on the floor then experiment yourself.
mcrheist
130 posts
 
I am a Sophia Series 2 owner, and have used a myriad of power amps (ss/tubes) with these speakers including the VTL MB-450 sigs (tubes)...not reliable, unfortuately. As a result, I would never demo these ever again.

Nothing has compared to the performance I have received from matching the Wilson Sophia Series 2 with the new ARC VS-115 tube amps. They are perfectly matched for the system, room , and there have not been any performance glitches. Please feel free to email me for more details.
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