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Speaker cables for Wilson Sophia 3

Good Day,

I've recently upgraded from Kef 205/2 to Wilson Sophia 3. Firstly, i'd like to share my initial experience on the Sophia 3
Secondly, I'm looking for opinions on speaker cables which will work best with these speakers. However, I'm not looking for a pair of cable which will cost as much as my speakers!

Wilson Sophia 3: IMHO, they're awesome speakers and they're a big step forward comparing to the Kef 205/2 (worth the upgrade!). They're very balance from top to bottom. However, I need to crank-up the volume to get them going. I highly recommend the Sophia 3

Speaker cables: I'm currently using Grover Sx speaker cables. They sound good on the Sophia 3 but I don't think they're "the one" SCs for the Sophia 3!
Wilson has replied to my email to confirm Transparent was used for internal wiring. However, I’m reluctant to purchase cables with network boxes (purest signal path is the path with nothing in between!?)
Can experienced Wilson users recommend a few cables brand?

Also for future ref. what will be the best cdp to go with the Sophia 3!? Should I go with integrate or transport, dac and clock. I'm leaning toward Antelope Gold Dac+PSU+ Clock or Lessloss DAC+CEC

My system:
Wilson Sophia 3
McIntosh MC501
Audio Research Ref 3
Primare CD 31 (with Analogue section heavily mod)
Linn LP12, Dynavector 17D3, Ittok, Lingo
Linn Uphorik
Grover Huffman Sx SCs
Nordost Quatro Fil ICs
LessLoss Sig. PCs on mono blocks which are feed by Weizhi PRS6
Stefan Audio Art PCs on cdp and pre which are feed by Shunyata Hydra 2
TG Audio Black & White 9awg to feed into Weizhi and Shunyata
Vibra Pods & cones on cdp, pre and tt
Custom Hifi stand using thick mdf and steel rods!
Music pref. mainly Jazz and classical

Regards,
primare_cd31
primare_cd31
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
I have owned a variety of Wilson speakers over the last 10+ years, Maxx 2 at present, and have found MIT to be the cables that sound best with them. You will often see them showing with MIT as well as Transparent for what that's worth. With Sophia, I would use the best I could afford, beginning with Magnum level but preferably Oracle.

Regarding network cables and purist transmission, all wire alters the signal carried. The networks in MIT cables correct that alteration to allow for a purer, more accurate signal between components. In essence, what you described as your goal will be accomplished by networked cables that function as MIT, not straight wire.

Best on your quest for great sound and enjoy your wonderful new speakers!
rgs92
974 posts
 
The best I heard Wilson Watt Puppy 6s with were top-end Transparents (at a dealer in Pennslylvania, now defunct).
They were very nice to me, and in fact I never heard Wilsons sound so nice again. This was 10 years ago, so take that into consideration. The dealer said the this match was the best, it seemed very true to my ears.
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
I'm thinking of continue to use the Grover Sx but add in a pair of Walker hd links
rapogee
256 posts
 
I have a very similar system. I called up Wilson and even met up with them during the CES. After trying around 20 speaker cables in a span of over a year back and forth...even one of my favorite speaker cables of all times did NOT work with the Sophia's for some reason and that was the Audience Au24's. I still use the Au24e interconnects in the chain but for speaker cables, after long listening sessions and frustration I ended up going with Wilson's suggestion - Try to push yourself and get at least The Transparent Ultra or anything higher in that family, its worth every penny and everything just snaps together and I can not even explain why. Another good alternative if you are actually using a full tube system would the the older Synergistic Designer Reference, which would probably cost you more that the Transparent cables suggested. Good luck!
lenny_zwik
259 posts
 
I've used Cardas Golden Reference w/ reterminations using their new cold forged process w/ my WP7s. I've had the Cardas for many years and have felt no need to change.
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