2. amps-preamps
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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
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.
toffeng OP
41 posts
 
Hi!

Unfortunately I do not think The Ayre MX-R mono amps and Ayre KX-R preamp are within my budget as they cost NOK 350,000. The Pass Labs combo costs NOK 210,000 and Burmester NOK 275,000.

Cheeers! ToffenG
mozvz
17 posts
 
There is a review of the Pass XA 30.5 in the latest issue of Stereophile, May edition. Brian Damkroger was the writer and he used Wilson Sophia 2's. The article may provide some insight on the Pass Amps and the synergy with your speakers. Also, the XP-20 with the XA 30.5 is a great match in my particular system with Dynaudio. The XP-20 replaces a Conrad Johnson Act 2, Version 1.

Another review is available for the XP-20 and the XA 160.5 in the latest issue of the Sensible Sound if you are a magazine type of person who reads them. Much luck in your search!
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