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Sophia 1 with McIntosh/Lamm tubes? Please advise

My system is now B&W 804S, McIntosh MC275 amp and Lamm LL2 preamp, and Rel Storm III sub. The Lamm was the latest addition about 1.5 years ago and I REALLY like it.

I'm thinking of a next upgrade, either the speakers or amp. If I were to upgrade amp today I would probably go with Lamm ML1 or M1.1 hybrid. However, I'm leaning towards upgrading speakers first. Right track? BTW, the following upgrade would be a couple years away.

My budget for speakers is $5-6k, maybe $7k if I can let the sub go. Thinking of buying used. I've been reading about Wilson Sophia 1, Merlin VSM, and DeVore Nines (Silverbacks likely beyond my budget). Do you think these would match well with tubes? The Sophias are 89 dB (vs my B&W at 91 dB), but said to play very well at moderate levels. I'm certainly open to other suggestions.

I really enjoy the sense of 3D spaciousness during playback, the "musicians in the room" holographic presentation. Absolute true tonal balance is less important to me, to the extent is not grossly off, of course. Musicality and high definition are important, and also bass extension and definition.

The room is 33x15x8 ft, speakers on a short side, spaced about 7.5 ft between them, and 5 ft from front wall. Listening position on an equilateral triangle.

Music tastes: all over the place, but mostly rock, blues and jazz. The dynamic range/impact the Sophias are said to have are appealing too.
lewinskih01
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hi Lewinskih01,

Nice system! Enjoy! the 804s plus the REL must be a amazing combination...i have heard both just not together, but its not hard to imagine.

you will be hard pressed with $6K to 'kill' that setup. that is good news and bad news...good that you have a great setup...perhaps not so good if you are 'itching' to put $6K to work for an upgrade! ;)

If you are thinking 2 years from now and up to $6K, and if you are more focused on holographic, musicality and high definition (and less so on true tonal balance)...you might try Sonus Faber Ellipsa second hand...wait 2 years and you just might be able to stretch to a SF Amati. The Amati i do think would be a serious change you would enjoy considering.

Furthermore, many owners of SF love them with tubes and in particular Mcintosh tubes. You have a big room and the bigger SFs will fill them. I do like the Sophias a lot and for the money think they are very very good. i think both can be very well driven by your electronics (which i think are worth keeping given your considerations above).
gpgr4blu
1,079 posts
 
Mac tubes and Sophia are a great marriage. Had that exact setup for a few years. Lamms would be a different (also very synergistic) combo with Sophia's. Both will be very holographic and dimensional as well as dynamic. Go with Sophia's for a huge step up in what u seek.
missioncoonery
1,208 posts
 
Ive heard Mac with Wilsons several times and always thought,yuck..but thats me as I prefer quicker more detailed gear.IMO there are much much better amps that mate with Wilsons.
lewinskih01 OP
907 posts
 
Lloydelee21,

Thanks for the kind words! I do indeed enjoy my system.

I don't really have an itch to spend $6k. What's happening is I live overseas and someone is being relocated back from the US so I have a chance to bring home some heavy stuff, like speakers or amp.

I've always loved the aesthetics of Sonus Faber speakers. Never heard them, though. I looked at the Amati Hommage...amazing!! But they are $12k on A'gon! I wish I could, but can't. Even the Elipsa is listed at $11k. Am I missing something?

Thanks for the input!
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