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Need advice on used Wilson Audio speakers

I know that some of you guys are going to laugh at this, because it is nowhere near the sophisticated set-ups you have on your racks.  But here goes.  Back in 1983, I bought a brand new set of Polk Audio SDA 1b speakers.  I liked the sound.  It was, to my ear anyway, accurate.  It avoided the JBL-era thundering bass that tired me out.  The SDA technology opened up the sound-stage.  I was happy.  But gradually, the old girls have gotten unlistenable.  I mean, it's been 40 years.  So, they don't owe me much.

I started looking.  Everything else Polk has made over the past thirty years left me cold.   And everything I've listened to in local big-box stores fails to put a grin on my face.   It all sucks.

I contemplated rebuilding the cross-overs and replacing the mids and high-end speakers and generally cleaning up and dampening the enclosures.   It would probably run me a couple grand. 

But I finally found a speaker that is worlds away better than the old Polks (okay, you can stop laughing now). Of course, they are also a lot more money).  I really liked the sound of Wilson Audio's Sabrina.  Now that the Sabrina 2nd generation speaker is out, I'm thinking I might be able to stretch into a used (or heavily discounted 1st gen Sabrina).  Probably going to run me about ten to twelve grand.  

Do any of you have any opinions on buying used Wilsons?  How often do they need to go back to Provo to be worked on?  What do I look for?  Should I just bite the bullet and buy new?

Finally, I've begun to understand that Wilsons like to be driven.  Means I'm probably going to have to buy a new amplifier.  When I listened to the Sabrina originally, they were driving them with the Boulder 850 set up.  Any thoughts on what I should consider in that direction?

I look forward to your kind and thoughtful answers. 


artbros
james633
1,052 posts
 
Yep used wilsons are great. Many of them are certified as “new” and come with a 3 year warranty depending on the dealer. Wilson does a great job of fixing them up if needed. 
The Sabrina are still pretty new and a used pair should last you many years to come. The best thing you can do for speakers is keep them out of the sun and dry. 
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noromance's avatar
noromance
10,196 posts
 
Um, one day you’re running old flabby Polks and the next you want to dive into high-end speakers? What other gear do you have that deserves the Wilsons? 
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns
530 posts
 
You're the first who clearly didn't read his last sentence:
"I look forward to your kind and thoughtful answers."
If you don't have anything kind or helpful to say ... (you should know the rest if you were raised properly)
geof3
1,129 posts
 
Used Sabrina’s will be fine. For the most part, folks spending that kind of coin on speakers take good care of them. As mentioned, the Sabrina is a fairly new model, it also happens to be one of Dave Wilson’s favorite speakers... that’s saying something! Keep in mind, you’ll need a little juice to run them as the are somewhat low on the efficiency scale. But, you don’t need monster amps to drive them. A solid INT like the Pass Int 60, or even Int 25 would get it done. If wanted to go cheaper the Parasound Hint would be a good choice. Depending on your amp budget there are MANY great amps that will make those speakers sing. You’ll be very happy.
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