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Amps for Egglestonworks Andra II or Sophia 2

After many years, I'm interested in upgrading my system with great full range speakers. I'm currently using really old Meridian active speakers, so I will need amplification too. I have a Meridian 508.24 CD player and a Sonic Frontiers Line-2 pre-amp, and I intend to keep those.

I don't really want to spend more than $9K total.

The two speakers I'm most interested in are the Egglestonworks Andra II and the Wilson Audio Sophia 2. I have heard neither of these speakers, but they both have glowing reviews. Years ago, I had heard the Egglestonworks Rosa and I liked them, though they were close together in a smallish room. The best thing I've ever heard was a high dollar setup with Wilson Maxx 2 speakers in a large room. I guess I'm getting at the fact that I have enjoyed the sound of both families of speakers, and would probably adapt to either and be happy if I could integrate them into my challenging room. The reported mid-bass hump of the Andra gives me a little pause, but most people seem to love them.

It looks like the Sophia 2 is going to be somewhere around $7200 on Agon, and the Andra II might be a grand cheaper. I've seem many people state in these forums that the Andras don't shine unless you have big amps driving them, and that makes me wonder if the total system cost will be higher with them.

I did a little looking around and it sounds like the Parasound A21 is a good amp for the money. Can anyone advise me as to whether that has enough gusto to run either pair of these speakers near their potential?
sboje
sboje OP
38 posts
 
Exactly how many people end up testing everything they are interested in buying as a complete system in THEIR room anyway? I'm sure dealers are happy to just roll 250 pound speakers around town every day so people can listen to them.

Yes, I'm sure buying speakers 1 generation newer than I've heard and a well regarded amp to go with them would be a disaster.

And even if you are right and it's a "disaster", I bought the stuff used and I'm not going to take a $12,000 bath.

If you really have nothing to contribute here, I'd appreciate it if you would leave the discussion. I was hoping for advice from people who have experience with these two speakers.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"05-04-15: Sboje
Exactly how many people end up testing everything they are interested in buying as a complete system in THEIR room anyway?"

I do. But that's not the issue. What makes this situation so difficult is that you're testing nothing. Why would you expect good results?"

"I'm sure dealers are happy to just roll 250 pound speakers around town every day so people can listen to them."

Any good dealer will do just that.

"Yes, I'm sure buying speakers 1 generation newer than I've heard and a well regarded amp to go with them would be a disaster."

Absolutely true. You may get it right, but aside from luck its probably going to be a disaster.

"And even if you are right and it's a "disaster", I bought the stuff used and I'm not going to take a $12,000 bath. "

The whole trick is to avoid a disaster in the first place.

"If you really have nothing to contribute here, I'd appreciate it if you would leave the discussion. I was hoping for advice from people who have experience with these two speakers.
Sboje (Threads | Answers | This Thread)"

If you had half a brain, you would see that I'm giving you the best advice. I do have experience with both of those speakers. But you don't. And you're going to learn the hard way what that means. But don't worry, just have the massed continue to pat you on the back and tell you you're doing the right thing. I'm sure it will all work out. What could possible go wrong?
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,466 posts
 
I think the speakers are rated at 85-86db which does mean you should drive them with some power.

I own the Andra 2 and I'm using them with a Pass Labs X350.5 Amp. Check out my systems page.
sboje OP
38 posts
 
Ozzy, that seems to be the go-to amp of choice, but it's just out of my price league. I figured I get something "good enough" for the time being, and hopefully upgrade sometime later.
jdoris
972 posts
 
I've had good and bad luck in my room with *both* auditioned and unheard equipment. Lot's of us around here take chances without listening first: doesn't have to be a disaster if the piece is in demand enough, or the price you get is low enough, to make a tolerable net on resale possible. I've taken pretty good hits on stuff I heard several times and loved, when it just didn't work in my room.

I'd be inclined to suggest opening up the search a bit, and rethinking the relative allocation to speaker and amp, but I respect that one has to narrow the search eventually, and maybe you are at that point.

My hunch is that the Wilson's might be the riskier choice, because of the fairly widespread tendency for people (like me!) to experience them with glare and edge. You liked the Maxx, but I'm not sure that is enough basis for confidence that the Sophia won't be a fatiguing disappointment in your room. (Of course, you could be one of the people who swear by Wilson.) I've only heard the Eggies briefly, but they might have less potential downside.

If you stay the course, Odyssey makes excellent amps in your stated price range with the power you need. The owner, Klaus, is a helpful vendor who supports second owners. I had a Stratos Dual Mono and really enjoyed it. Won't be as good as the big Pass Ozzy commends, but this is very amply reflected in price.

Good luck!

John
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