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what amp would maximize wilson sophias

Hi,

I have wilson sophia speakers, cary 306-200 cd player, and krell 300il integrated amp.

my room is moderately large with high ceilings and wooden floors. I listen to mostly rock and electronica.

I had thought of upgrading the speakers but the wilson 7's are too much. I might get a subwoofer like martin logan but the consensus has been to upgrade the amp.

Money is an issue otherwise I would just buy the new Rowland 302. The krell currently in use are 200 watts per channel and I want more power so would prefer recommendations for 300 watts per channel and up.

thanks

Michael
radioheadokplayer
wvick
70 posts
 
I have auditioned the Sophia's with ARC tube mono's, tube pre (don't remember the model) and CD3 player and they were fantastic. Great bottom and smooth top end. The best I have ever heard the Sophia's sound. I have not listened them with other tube amps but have listened with ML gear. They were a bit dry with the ML.
keithr
1,306 posts
 
I'm with Rcupka (nice choice).

Get a BAT VK75SE, and turn it into monoblocks later on if you need too. Have heard it on 6s and didn't feel the need for more power.

I also have heard the Sophias on VTL 450s, another superb choice.
rcupka
47 posts
 
I've now had the BAT VK-75SE for about a week and can say it's an excellent match to my Sophia's. I was seriously considering selling the Sophia's when they were used with my Pass X-250 (the sound was irritating....listener fatigue in 10 minutes).

The BAT throws up a wider,deeper stage, much better microdynamics, incredible decay of notes and most importantly is musical (good bye transistor-itis). The Pass did provide more SLAM and better control of the bottom end.

I will now audition some different speaker cable (Shunyata Andromeda, recommended by Wilson and BAT) to compare to my Valhalla and may eventually wind up with a second 75SE and run them as mono's. Has anyone out there done this and can they comment on the improvements that can be expected?
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