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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
ricred1
2,043 posts
 
Keithr
I'm not recommending Sasha's, I was pointing out that I owned many Wilson speakers and my best advise was to listen to as many products within his price range and let his ears decide. Listening is the only way to know if a combination works. I should have explained a little more, because of his comments concerning the low sensitivity of Avalons. Many suggest Sasha's are very hard do drive, but my 125 watt amps drive them without strain...point being don't discount Avalons or any speaker until you hear them with your own electronics.
lewinskih01 OP
909 posts
 
I also believe in listening as the best way to decide what's best. I really do. In fact, while I lived in the US this is how I went about choosing equipment.

However, now I live in South America, where auditioning these is impossible. Yet in a couple of months I will have the chance to bring something in a container. I know this is far from ideal, but that's what I have to work with. At the end of the day if I don't lke the combo I can resell it here at a financial gain.

Sophia 1s and MC275 seem like an option, to some ears - not to Missioncoonery's tastes, though.

Let me ask differently: if you had a Lamm LL2, a McIntosh MC275, and B&W 804S and $6k to spend, what would you upgrade first?
gpgr4blu
1,088 posts
 
B & W 804S.
lewinskih01 OP
909 posts
 
I went out for an audition yesterday. Somebody suggested Martin Logan Summits and I found a dealer who had them and I arranged for an audition. They were set up in an accoustically treated room, with a [way] better source than mine, my CDs, and an Audio Research integrated amp (about 50 Wpc they said, with 4xKT120 vs my 4xKT88). Nordost Valhalla cabling (way better than mine). And I didn't care for them. I was expecting higher resolution and better soundstaging than what I have, but didn't happen. Also, bass was loose.

The same dealer carries Sonus Faber and Wilson, but they don't have Cremonas or Sophia 1. I spent about an hour with the owner discussing what I have and seek, and what I heard with the Summits. He suggests Wilson. I know I need to listen to them.

How far from the front wall do Sophias tend to end up? I'm wondering about their backfiring ports. Right now my setup is on a short wall and 5 feet away from the front wall, but was considering moving to a long wall and distance to front wall becomes an issue.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Lewinskih01,

You may wish to email Wilson...they are very good about responding in my experience. I think you might be alright with the Sophias being closer to wall, but so much depends on the rest of your dimensions, damping, etc. I have big Wilsons now and they were expertly setup by one of Wilson's favorite technical guys (in the world)...and he placed them within 3 feet of wall.

As for Summits...they really need a ton of power to get them going. They are capable of stunning resolution and soundstaging. Myles Astor (reviewer) uses 275 watt CJ ART monos, for example. I have spoken to him on a number of occasions and he has a very experienced ear. My two cents.

Good luck. Given your room issues, you may find panels slightly more challenging to setup anyway. AGain, good luck. Enjoy!
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