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Wilson Sophia2s demand better than AYRE V5xe, so..

...What would you recommend?

Just took delivery of Wilson Sophia 2s. Plinius CD101 - Ayre K1xe - Ayre V5xe - Sophia 2s. Synergistic Research cables.

The K1xe is very good, I'd like to keep it, but I need a new amp.

The V5xe is too lean in the midbass, no texture or bloom. Soundstage is okay, but not "full" enough. No deep bass!

At the RMAF, I liked VAC phi 200s on the Von Schweikert VR-9se AND on the Greshman Black Swans as a point of reference.

I'm open to tubes or SS, but I think tubes might get me where I want to go. I'm looking for very full and detailed imaging that absolutely floats in the air, with intense layering, body and texture. I need better control over these speakers, and stronger deep bass output, speakers sound too thin now. I want fullness of images like MBL speakers, but with a more natural, involving midrange like the best Acapellas.

Budget is 10k new or used. Again, looking for a warmer, natural sound with very delineated images that complement my dynamic Wilson speakers, so don't underpower me!...
hce4
mtdking
157 posts
 
I think the preamp had to be the 7.5 series I since the series II hadn't come out yet in 2006.
hce4 OP
48 posts
 
Kurt_Tank,

Thanks for the input, being in CA too, I know the heat will be a bear to deal with!

Also, did you try the M1.1/M1.2? I'm wondering how the 100 watt version compared to the 200 watt version?

Thanks!
mtdking
157 posts
 
The Lamm M1.1 came out in 1994 and being that it is full class A amp you would have to start to worry about maintenance on the amp. Now the M1.2 that came out in 2004 would be a very nice amp for the Sophia II but at that price range your getting into the Dartzeels, Audio Research Ref's of the world.

I will have to disagree that the Lamm M1.1 has more bass output then the VTL MB-450 sigs. Maybe the VTL MB-450 were not sigs that you were listening too. There are about 6 different version of MB-450. I have had both and I thought the VTL had more bass and was deeper. Solid state will for the most part be tighter but I think tube amps have a much more natural sounding bass.
jdolgin
82 posts
 
There is absolutely no way to adequately set up the sophias in such a complicated space in 30 minutes.
I'd recommend you do 3 things. 1)Photograph the space.
2) draw a schematic of the room to scale, 3) Contact customer service/support at Wilson Audio in Utah and send them all of the pix and drawings. See if they think this set-up is in any way appropriate. I'd discuss the "quickie" set up system used by your dealer. I'd bet they'd suggest the set-up is "sub-optimal" and I'd guess they have some suggestions to help. I'd caution against buying electronics until the speakers are properly positioned. In my room, once the set-up was optimal everything snapped into focus both spacially and in term of tonal ballance. My speakers sound very different from your description with every single amp I tried.
The sophias are usually positioned with more toe-in than you describe, and certainly more than 6" breathing room behind the speakers.
JIm
hikejohn
69 posts
 
For a time period I owned a pair of Sophia 2s, an excellent speaker, and if I had kept them then I may have moved towards tubes to tame the Wilsons...but when I considered going to the WP8...I ended up with different speakers. A couple of thought...personally I find it inconceivable that anyone could "dial in" Wilson speakers in 30 min...thus perhaps some work could be done on that issue. Having wandered through a few amps...I ended up with the MX-Rs...the guy who bought my Sophias...was local...purchased the ARC Ref3 (not sure which version) and Ref 110 amp...he has never been entirely happy with the sound...and I suspect part of it is his room...he even got a pair of WP8s...for the MX-R...preamp choice is critical...I used a VTL 6.5 for a time...an great pre...but ended up with the KX-R....
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