Amp suggestionsfor Wilson Watt Puppies/Sophia


A friend of mine is contemplating a pair of Watt Puppies or Sophia's and was wondering what amps may partner well with these models. He listening room is large and he listens primarilty to Jazz at moderate levels.

Many thanks,

John
jpstereo
I have seen the WATT/Puppies at shows mated with tube amps that were relatively powerful (no low power SETs). I believe they are particularly good matches in the midrange and highs.

My personal philosophy is that dynamic range is very important to my sense of fidelity. Therefore, although my WATT/Puppy 6s are pretty efficient, I am driving them with Pass X600s (600 wpc). I regard Pass solid state electronics as enjoying some of the favorable sound characteristics of tube electronics without giving up control in the bass. The match works for me.
I forgot to mention that I heard a pair of Sophias driven by a VTL ST-150 amp at my dealer's and the sound was very impressive. Great soundstage, warm yet detailed, and you could pick out the bass drum and bass guitar in separate locations between the speakers. I still like my Essence SS amps driving Wilsons but these are difficult to find used. The VTL is a great choice with Wilsons.
Spectron Musician III Signature my own experience provides very "seductive" synergy. David Wilson speakers. I owned WATT/Puppy just a few years ago and few of my friends have Sofia and WATT/Puppy. It is phenominal amplifier, it can handle any speaker in the world (stability up to 0.1 Ohm and peak power 3500 watts over 330 msec) and they emphasize on their web site that the sonic signature is nearly identical with any speaker ( and with their Remote Sense cables even absolutely identical). Even Standard Musician received, this month, TAS Editor Choice Award 2007 and in description its said that it sound "on the warm side of neutral". I have had both standard and now Signature and Signature is way, way better (more musical, more seductive, more transparent - immensely transparent, as a matter of fact, as no amplifier I ever audition). Price - with good dealer discount - would be about $5k - $5.5k.
All The Best
Rafael
BAT always is a winner. I had 75SE and 51SE.

btw, for the record, Wilson uses a number of amplifiers for design purposes.
I have used many different amps with my Watt Puppies.
The amps that I have used are C J Premier 11, ML 33h, ML 33 , BAT VK 6200 and the ASR. The 33s and the ASR are what I use now for everyday listening.
I am presently looking for the Lamm ML 2.1 just to change things up with my new Maxx IIs.
So in a nut shell it really depends what flavor that you are after.
Good luck,