Amps to Sophia 3?

[Apexorca]

Originally Posted by new order

I have found a used Pass X250.5.How do You think it would match the Sophias?

Quite well, I think. Try to get a Pass Pre amp also.

[BlueChiaro]

I had the Simaudio I-7 and Supernova with Sophia III. That's been replaced by Audio Research REF250 and REF Anniversary pre. The Supernova is still the source for CD, and I've also hooked the Sophias up to some Bryston gear (4B-ST). In my opinion, the Audio Research is the most refined and best vocals (my most important criteria), but the I-7 needs to make no apologies for its performance. Good luck in your search.

[new order]

Originally Posted by BlueChiaro

I had the Simaudio I-7 and Supernova with Sophia III. That's been replaced by Audio Research REF250 and REF Anniversary pre. The Supernova is still the source for CD, and I've also hooked the Sophias up to some Bryston gear (4B-ST). In my opinion, the Audio Research is the most refined and best vocals (my most important criteria), but the I-7 needs to make no apologies for its performance. Good luck in your search.

Thank You for Your comment.Nice to hear from a Sophia owner that have used simular gear as I use.

I really like the Moon combo.Easy to live with,no fuss,just play music.They have worked as a dream.

So the succesor must be as reliable as the Moon.
Can be a hard act to follow.The agent for Sim Audio also have Krell,Aesthetix and VTL and says that Moon is the most reliable brand of the lot.

But I am willing to give it a try.I am about to sell my trusty Moons and is scanning internet for replacements.Pass Labs is a brand I easy could own.But the used market is not that big in Sweden or in europe on the whole.

Aesthetix is also a brand I like.Solid state seasoned with tubes!
Best of both worlds perhaps.What do You think of Mark Levinson?Could a older amp like No 331 or No. 335 be a alternative? Mark Levinson is like a Holy Grail for me.A myth.A legend.Is it a legend that sounds good?

[thesaint519]

Have you given any consideration to Lamm electronics?

[new order]

Originally Posted by thesaint519

Have you given any consideration to Lamm electronics?

To be honest.No.Lamm is (for me) high up there in the stratosphere.To expensive to even consider.To bad,have heard their monoblocks M1,1?1,2? many years ago.Very good!

[BlueChiaro]

Originally Posted by new order

Thank You for Your comment.Nice to hear from a Sophia owner that have used simular gear as I use.

I really like the Moon combo.Easy to live with,no fuss,just play music.They have worked as a dream.

So the succesor must be as reliable as the Moon.
Can be a hard act to follow.The agent for Sim Audio also have Krell,Aesthetix and VTL and says that Moon is the most reliable brand of the lot.

But I am willing to give it a try.I am about to sell my trusty Moons and is scanning internet for replacements.Pass Labs is a brand I easy could own.But the used market is not that big in Sweden or in europe on the whole.

Aesthetix is also a brand I like.Solid state seasoned with tubes!
Best of both worlds perhaps.What do You think of Mark Levinson?Could a older amp like No 331 or No. 335 be a alternative? Mark Levinson is like a Holy Grail for me.A myth.A legend.Is it a legend that sounds good?

Unfortunately, I have no experience with Levinson, so I can't offer input. You're correct about the Simaudio being very reliable... build quality is excellent. Not sure if any tube gear will match that for reliability, but, honestly, my tube knowledge is limited to my ARC gear. I can tell you that I listen to music less, now, because I worry about tube life/replacement. I'm not saying that it's logical for me to do that, but I do find myself being less likely to turn it on "just for a quick listen."

[sanji]

Levinsons are great amps. Very musical, wonderful dynamics and powerful. However, after Harmon closed down Magrigal Audio Labs, the brand and customer service has deteriorated. Parts are also becoming hard to find. Hope you keep that in mind.

[PLK]

There's a pair of Aesthetix Atlas monos for sale on Agon for 42% off MSRP.

[new order]

I am leaning more and more towards the Pass Labs pre/power amp alternative.The XA60.5 is the primary alternative.

Do any of You have a recommendation for a suiting (sa)cd-player for a Sophia/Pass Labs combination? What is Your opinion on the Esoteric K-07? Would it be a good match?

Best Regards, new order

[jpspock]

A puccini is very musical.