2. amps-preamps
  3. 1239491095

Sophia II's and Pass Labs etc

HI!

I will buy a new amp set up for my Wilson Audio Sophia II's after the summer. I currently use a Burmester 051 integrated amp and a Burmester 061 cd player + a TW Acustic Raven w/Graham Phantom II arm will be ordered soon

I like the Burmester 011 preamp and Burmester 911 mk3 amp very much, although I have not tested the amp set on my speakers. The price for the set in Norway is NOK 276,000,-

The other options I am looking at are:

- Pass Labs XP20 and XA 100,5 / XA 160.5 mono amps, approx. NOK 210,000 / NOK 255,000

- Audio Research REF 3 preamp and REF 110 amp, approx. NOK 220,000,-

- Simaudio Moon P8 and Simaudio Moon W8, approx. NOK 245,000,-.

- Spectral DMC-30SS and Spectral DMA 360, approx. NOK 230,000,-.

And then you have Conrad Johnson, Mark Levinson, Luxman, Accuphase, MBL, etc etc.

Do you have any preferences of the amps mentioned. Do you know if Pass Labs XA 100.5 will be strong enough for the Sophia 2's?

I listen foremost to pop/rock/hip hop/electro/jazz/metal/etc, since I am a talent buyer within the festival circuit in Norway.

Thanks for your help.

Cheeers, ToffenG, Norway
toffeng
zybar's avatar
zybar
104 posts
 
Dvart,

I have heard the REF 3 in the same system I talked about above and did not think it was a good match with the Sophia 2's. As you stated, the upper mids were forced and I also found the overall sound strident at times. There was no emotional connection to the music and I simply found myself not wanting to listen when the REF 3 was in the system.

I know the REF 3 has received great reviews, but I was very disappointed with how it sounded in this and my own system.

George
toffeng OP
41 posts
 
Hi!

Thanks for your insight.

I will check out:

- Burmester 011 and 911mk3
- Pass Labs XP 20 and XA100.5
- Simaudio Moon P8 and Simaudio Moon W8

Have you any experience with Parasound JC2 Preamp and Parasound JC 1 mono amps on Sophia 2's?

Cheeers and thanks, ToffenG
dgad
782 posts
 
Toffen,

Please also listen to VTL if you can. Very good combination w. Wilson if you can do tubes. The other great combination will be VTL for preamp & Lamm for amp.
For preamps the VTL 6.5 or 7.5/2
For amps the 450 Signature, S400 or the Lamm M1.2s.
MBL would excellent as well.
Luxman will be more lean, VTL more full and Lamm in between.
toffeng OP
41 posts
 
Hi!

Thanks!

I have read lots of good reviews of the VTL and Lamm amps. I will check out who got them in Norway. MBL has a distributor in Norway now.

Cheeers, ToffenG
tom_hankins
928 posts
 
I have heard a friends Sophia 2 with Mcintosh and Ayre. The Ayre system he uses now is very good. K-1XE preamp and V-1XE amp. I would look into the even higher end Ayre products also.
More to discover