Wilson Sophia 2 - pre-amp and amp recommendations

[nolitan777]

I think these speakers are not so super picky of the ancilliary gears you pair them with.

[jpspock]

Try a pass XA30.5 or XA60.5, and you will be in heaven. XA60.5 is magic, I know, I have bought a pair XA100.5 because Sasha's need more power.

[Elberoth]

Originally Posted by chessman

Since the Ref 3 has an HT bypass, the theory was no tube burn in multi-channel.

You will always get tube burn-in when the amp is switched on. And to go into HT bypass mode, you have to switch it on.

I second Pass XA-30.5. I use it to drive my Sophias II, and it sounds awesome for the money. This is one sweet little amp.

Mc402 should also make a good match. I would prsonally go C2300 + MC402 or XP-10 + XA-30.5/60.5.

[chessman]

I ended up with a Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE preamp (needed to stay SS because also needed HT bypass) and a BAT VK-600SE amp (looking for synergy with the Sophia 2's). It sounds awesome, but I confess I still think about the BAT VK-52SE tube preamp.

I will also confess to being just a tad miffed at the suggestion that the Emotiva MPS-1 amp was insufficient for the Sophia 2's. Well, you guys were right and I was wrong.

[chessman]

Got a little some some coming .... anyone want to guess what it is?

[Lildebs888]

Originally Posted by chessman

Got a little some some coming .... anyone want to guess what it is?

Sophia 3's? Wait... Sasha's? No no, Maxx 3's?

Do tell!

[two dot]

Ah, come on, Randy...

I gotta go to bed... don't do that to me...

[chessman]

LOL, Deb. Did you read the post immediately above?

[two dot]

Some tubes, I am thinking...

[chessman]

Originally Posted by two dot

Ah, come on, Randy...

I gotta go to bed... don't do that to me...

Tubey or not tubey? ... that was the question.