If... a guy was going to buy Sophia 3's what integrated would you choose???

[two dot]

Luxman is an interesting option....

[intouch1]

dartzeel measured very bad in the stereophile review.
i guess ARC would be a great match.

or a lyngdorf millennium. it's an amp and upsampling dac all in one.

[KKF1]

Audio Research DSi200

Magnum Dynalab MD309

Pass Labs INT30A

Sim Audio Moon 700i

If you want to spend more go for pre/amp combos. BTW, good little int for start is Krell S300i.

[Jerome W]

Stephen,

Who's the "guy" you're talking about ?
So you're following the Wilson route now ? They are very nice speakers. I would love to listen to them and the Sashas...
There was the Master's Flu, and now we'll have to talk about the Serge's Flu !
You're changing really often these days...

Now to answer your question, from the listenings I had of Wilson speakers, but I did not listen to the Sophia 3, I would favor nice tube amps like the Leben to be sure that I won't get a too highly detailed presentation for my ears....

[howiebrou]

Gamut DI-150
Kondo Ongaku
New Kondo Overture
Dartzeel of course.

[jdandy]

Stephen.......The Audio Research VSi60 integrated tube amplifier ($4k) was well reviewed in the September 2010 issue of Stereophile.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Stephen.......The Audio Research VSi60 integrated tube amplifier ($4k) was well reviewed in the September 2010 issue of Stereophile.

Good choice Dan !
4 k for a tube ARC integrated is very tempting !

[two dot]

Jerome,

Not to worry... I won't be giving up on the Shindo gear anytime soon, it is by far the most magical sound that has ever come into my room.

Dan,

Do you think that the ARC could drive the Sophia3's?

I heard the 3's with a 40 watt tube integrated by Octave and was very impressed...

Jerome,

I think that you point about pairing the Wilson's with tubes is probably a very good idea.

[jdandy]

Stephen.......The Audio Research VSi60 is rated at 50 watts per channel continuous. The Sophia 3 is rated at 87 dB with one watt input, and Wilson's site says 20 watts is the minimum suggested power amp. With the VSi60 putting out 50 watts you can expect to get 102 to 103 dB of sound pressure level from the Sophia 3. You could listen all day at 92 to 95 dB and probably be in heaven.

The last paragraph of the Stereophile review by Robert J. Reina said, "I felt sad when I packed up the VSi60 to ship back to ARC.I didn't want to see it leave - the first time that's happened in 25 years of reviewing audio gear. This captivating and enticing little dream of an amp is a sleeper. Look for it. Ignore its power rating, kick back, and listen to the magic."

You may want to find an ARC dealer and give this integrated an audition.

[two dot]

Thanks Dan... will do.

Not many places around here seem to cary the ARD and Wilson combo.