#1
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Wilson Sasha auditioned.
Here I was sitting listening to vinyl on a rainy afternoon when my dealer calls me and asks me what I'm doing... That's always a sign he's got something up his sleeve..
So I got to audition a pair of Sasha's that have been cooking for a few days. I brought a few CDs with me that I know well. Right from the start and it didn't take long at all to crack the sonic signature of this new speaker, I can tell you this, if you didn't like the Wilson speakers before, you may really like the Sasha. If you liked the Wilson speakers before, you may actually fall in love with the Sasha even deeper. I was instantly able to pick up on the fact that this new speaker has a warmer, slightly darker sonic signature. Gone is the slight upper midrange leanness that can be a problem with bad synergy of partnering gear with other Wilsons. This speaker is more forgiving in terms of overall tonal balance, the tweeter is smoother and sounds sweeter, the midrange a bit warmer, giving the speaker a very musical and a more "romantic" tonal balance. I do have to say that the Sasha draws you into the music no matter what is playing and evokes a strong emotional response. That has not always been the case with many other Wilson speakers as they can be analytical sounding depending on partnering gear and recording quality. The bass is very impressive, it is fast, articulate, deep and well controlled but it is not overly tight and dry at all. It does have more impact and slam but retains much of the bass qualities I like about the Sophia 2. Overall the speaker is well balanced from top to bottom (after I asked the dealer to move the bass traps behind the speaker as I heard an annoying standing wave at certain frequencies and the problem disappeared). Of course the dynamics are still a very strong trait as is imaging. In fact the Sasha was able to recreate full bodied drums with the same impact and palpability factor way to the outside of the speaker which I can only duplicate in my own system with 2 JL subs with Sophia 2's. Imaging is superb as is the soundstage width, height and depth. I wouldn't expect anything less from this speaker or other Wilsons. I was expecting this speaker to be better in many parameters but what I didn't expect is for it to be so "musical", "engaging" and even a bit on the "romantic" side. I'll probably catch some flack for this but I'd even go as far as saying it is not quite as neutral as the previous or current Wilsons.... I don't mean that in a bad way though, after all we all have our preference and at the end of the day, it is the emotional response the system evokes from the listener that is important, not how accurately it can reproduce every recording across the board. Well, to say the least, I was really touched by it. I should add that the Sasha were driven by all Ayre gear. The C-5xeMP, the Ayre KX-R and MXR monoblocks. I am familiar with every piece except the MXR. So it may be that some of this sweetness and musicality can be coming from the MXRs but whatever the case may be, the synergy was uncanny. I also should add that I feel this speaker may not be the easiest to drive, giving the system some more kick from the volume control to get into the meat of the dynamic range that was truly impressive, I could hear some congestion and loss of grip. The Sasha does have a dip in impedance that is rather punishing and the 300w MXRs, could have been just about running out of juice at that point... This may not be a problem for many since the room we were listening in is fairly spacious and well damped and the recording had great dynamic range which all require quite a bit more juice from the amp. My Lamm's should be up to the task on the low impedance setting. Yes, I fell in love with the Sasha and ordered a pair in Topaz. The wait could be a little long as there are many pairs on order from dealers. Last edited by PHC1; 06-13-2009 at 06:22 PM. |
#2
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Good for you Serge! Nice review.
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#3
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Matching the correct amp with the correct speakers is very important.
It sounds like you've done just that. Good for you! Enjoy the music. |
#4
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Excellent review
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#5
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Thanks Ivan. I can't really ask for much more from a speaker for my planned room. It's got everything that defines hi-fi and has now become less critical/analytical and has a more musical, engaging personality. It's what I liked about the Sophia 2 but the Sasha raises the bar in all parameters. Job well done, I'd say. Dave Wilson has certainly impressed me with his new speaker and deserves my hard earned dollars.
Last edited by PHC1; 06-13-2009 at 07:00 PM. |
#6
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Well I didn't hear them with my own Lamm's but the MXR/Sasha is actually a very similar pairing in my opinion in terms of sonic signature so I don't expect too much deviation from what I heard today. The MXR's have impressed me with their musical presentation that seems to possess the best attributes of SS with the harmonic richness of tubes. I could live with the MXRs for sure if I didn't have the Lamm's.
Last edited by PHC1; 06-13-2009 at 07:06 PM. |
#7
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#8
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I would but the chances that the Lamm's will be dethroned by MXRs are slim..D The Lamm's are extremely musical and have the muscle to back up their musicality as well. The MXRs have impressed many a reviewer but the Lamm's have earned their own dollars more often than not. Actually a critical employee at Wilson Audio has the same pair of Lamm's as does the owner of Transparent as do at least 3 professional reviewers I know of. Yeah, they are awesome amps.
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#9
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I know of some people that would start over completely if they thought even for a second that they were missing out on even the slightest of details. I'm sure that your amps are a close enough match so don't worry. When I called the Lamm factory they said that they regularly pair the gear with Wilson speakers at audio shows with great results every time. |
#10
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