Sasha gets noticed

[PHC1]

Robert Harley mentioned the new Sasha in his "Best Of" Rocky Mountain coverage. Robert Harley's "Best Of" Rocky Mountain | AVguide

[jdandy]

"A major leap in performance for Wilson", he says. A slighty more detailed comment wouldn't have taken him much more time to report.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

"A major leap in performance for Wilson", he says. A slighty more detailed comment wouldn't have taken him much more time to report.

I knew what he meant. The Wilson speakers have always had as large of group of followers as those that didn't like them. The Sasha bridges the gap with outstanding performance Wilson line is capable of while bringing a new level of musicality and ease of listening. It is a stunning speaker and I am sure the full future reviews will reflect that.

[Uberbrown]

I have not had my Sophia IIs for long enough to post about yet, but.....
I cannot imagine going to a different manufacturer. It seems I always knew I would not be satisfied until I go the Wilsons, and I was right.

What I was always afraid of was that I would be fatigued by the wilson, but the opposite is true. I listen for hours and not the slightest hint of fatigue. That tweeter is something else I must say.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Uberbrown

I have not had my Sophia IIs for long enough to post about yet, but.....
I cannot imagine going to a different manufacturer. It seems I always knew I would not be satisfied until I go the Wilsons, and I was right.

What I was always afraid of was that I would be fatigued by the wilson, but the opposite is true. I listen for hours and not the slightest hint of fatigue. That tweeter is something else I must say.

Ditto. After numerous speakers over the past 20 years including some that were really great actually, the Wilson brand is here to stay. I feel I've come aboard at just the right time when Wilson started "perfecting" what he set out to achieve many years ago. I am sure the future will bring even more exciting products but it is hard for me to imagine what else one can ask for from speakers like the Maxx 3, the Sasha and even the Sophia II for the most part. If there are flaws with those speakers, I can certainly live with them. Sophia II and Sasha have always brought on the goosebumps and made my listening sessions unforgettable.

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Ditto. After numerous speakers over the past 20 years including some that were really great actually, the Wilson brand is here to stay. I feel I've come aboard at just the right time when Wilson started "perfecting" what he set out to achieve many years ago. I am sure the future will bring even more exciting products but it is hard for me to imagine what else one can ask for from speakers like the Maxx 3, the Sasha and even the Sophia II for the most part. If there are flaws with those speakers, I can certainly live with them. Sophia II and Sasha have always brought on the goosebumps and made my listening sessions unforgettable.

Serge, a trick question for you my friend.

Since you have owned BOTH the Sonus Faber & Wilson brand of speakers and I trust you MUST have heard most of their higher marques, which speaker would you consider when presented for choice:

1. The Wilson Sasha OR
2. The Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario?

I did not go to the Stradivaris as I want to present something on similar/close value.

I would really love to read your analytical path on the decision, something I have all along had great respect for ...... and still do!!! The other person whom I had asked the same is my dear friend D ....

Cheers!

[cmalak]

Serge,

As an fyi, there is a new audio web site (The Audio Beat) that was just launched by Marc Mickelson (former editor of Soundstage.com) and Paul Bolin (used to be with Stereophile) and they will be doing a complete review on the Sashas. Here is a link:
TAB: The Audio Beat - Insightful reviews for audiophiles and music lovers

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Serge,

As an fyi, there is a new audio web site (The Audio Beat) that was just launched by Marc Mickelson (former editor of Soundstage.com) and Paul Bolin (used to be with Stereophile) and they will be doing a complete review on the Sashas. Here is a link:
TAB: The Audio Beat - Insightful reviews for audiophiles and music lovers

Thanks for the heads up, I was not aware of that site. It will be an interesting read since it sounds like they will review the Sasha with a pair of Paul Bolin's Lamm M1.2s a combination I've spent some time with in my own system.

[cmalak]

Absolutely. I am intrigued by the Wilson speakers after reading your experience with both the Sophia 2s and the Sashas. I had an opportunity to audition the Sophia 2s earlier this year but it was with equipment I was not familiar with and the setup may have not been optimal, but back then I found them to be a bit sterile. They did a lot of things well but they just did not draw me into the music. Everything I have read though is that Wilson's in general mate well with ARC gear and so I should give them another listen. I have been eyeing the Rockport Miras for over a year now (which are in the same price point as the Sophias) and those are phenomenal speakers but I should certainly give the Sophias another listen.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Absolutely. I am intrigued by the Wilson speakers after reading your experience with both the Sophia 2s and the Sashas. I had an opportunity to audition the Sophia 2s earlier this year but it was with equipment I was not familiar with and the setup may have not been optimal, but back then I found them to be a bit sterile. They did a lot of things well but they just did not draw me into the music. Everything I have read though is that Wilson's in general mate well with ARC gear and so I should give them another listen. I have been eyeing the Rockport Miras for over a year now (which are in the same price point as the Sophias) and those are phenomenal speakers but I should certainly give the Sophias another listen.

Have not heard the Wilson/ARC combination but have owned plenty of ARC gear before. It would depend which ARC gear you'd be using. Yes, the Sophia II can and do sound a bit sterile when paired up with leaner sounding gear as can many other Wilson speakers. If you can find the now long discontinued ARC 100.2 amp, that would probably be a very musical combo.

I have noticed a trend that dealers will typically pair the Sophia II with less refined/cheaper gear to prove a point that you don't have to spend lots of money to get great sound. I am not sure I agree with that approach as it doesn't do the Sophia II justice. I can tell you that with my Lamm M1.2s the Sophia II was a great sounding speaker. With many other amps that do not have the muscular and rich harmonic signature, the upper mids can sound a bit on the cooler, sterile side of things. Lamm and Wilson is probably one of the most popular combinations and have won many "best of show" awards.