|
|
#1
03-02-2011, 10:06 PM
|
||||
|
||||
Finally, I'm a Wilson owner...
Back in the mid-90s, I auditioned some Watt/Puppys at Soundex...a long gone warehouse type showroom outside of Philadelphia. I recall listening to Celine Dion (that CD got dusted off & is playing in the background as I type) and simply being stunned at the purity, dynamics, and bass extension. Well, about fifteen years later, I lust no more as I'm a Wilson owner.
Yesterday, my new pair of Wilson Sophia 3 speakers came to life in my living room...replacing my B&W Nautilus 802. Here are a few pictures of the journey:    
__________________
When I grow up, I want to be a little boy. - Joseph Heller Aural pleasures courtesy of SME, Dynavector, Audio Research, Simaudio, Wireworld, & Wilson 
|
|
#2
03-02-2011, 10:07 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The unveiling:
   The striptease... 
__________________
When I grow up, I want to be a little boy. - Joseph Heller Aural pleasures courtesy of SME, Dynavector, Audio Research, Simaudio, Wireworld, & Wilson Last edited by BlueChiaro; 03-02-2011 at 10:24 PM.
|
|
#4
03-02-2011, 10:09 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Continuing to reveal...the Sebring Blue:
  This is the right channel reflected in the left...  Mozart (on wall) approves... 
__________________
When I grow up, I want to be a little boy. - Joseph Heller Aural pleasures courtesy of SME, Dynavector, Audio Research, Simaudio, Wireworld, & Wilson Last edited by BlueChiaro; 03-02-2011 at 10:17 PM.
|
|
#5
03-02-2011, 10:10 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
In place...room is quite lively, but we'll deal with that in due time...
__________________
When I grow up, I want to be a little boy. - Joseph Heller Aural pleasures courtesy of SME, Dynavector, Audio Research, Simaudio, Wireworld, & Wilson
|
|
#6
03-02-2011, 10:16 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I like it a lot, the color really sets it off. Nicely done
__________________
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
|
|
#7
03-02-2011, 10:19 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
When I grow up, I want to be a little boy. - Joseph Heller Aural pleasures courtesy of SME, Dynavector, Audio Research, Simaudio, Wireworld, & Wilson
|
|
#8
03-02-2011, 10:23 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
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
|
|
#9
03-02-2011, 10:41 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The inaugural music I ran through my new Sophia 3 was Orpheus Chamber Orchestra's Haydn Symphonies No. 22, No. 63, & No. 80. It's not something that I listen too all that frequently, but it's simply a beautiful CD. Within seconds, I was struck by the sheer presence of the strings...the detail and realism over and above the N802s was simply breathtaking. I sat on the step into my living room and felt as if the concert were taking place right in front of me.
Being a guy who enjoys high frequencies more than low frequencies, I was thrilled...amazed, actually.  As the night went on, I was fortunate to enjoy the visit of JohnK, and we made our way through a variety of recordings. Allow me to put a plug in for the Honey Drippers Volume 1 on vinyl...I don't know if there is a better recording in my collection. It's a great selection to drop on unsuspecting listeners, and I think John may soon be seeking out a copy.  Anyhow, I'm sure there are more thoughts and experiences to come, but that's a brief intro to my first impressions of my wonderful Wilsons. Robert
__________________
When I grow up, I want to be a little boy. - Joseph Heller Aural pleasures courtesy of SME, Dynavector, Audio Research, Simaudio, Wireworld, & Wilson
|
|
#10
03-02-2011, 10:46 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I have to say I was treated to a quick listen to these last night, even though I wasn't there to help schlepp them around. I hope the 802s weren't too upset about being "replaced."
 Even though the Sophias are far from broken in, and placement was still being tweaked, this was one of the most musical experiences I've had - especially with the SME spinning. A system like this - well, listening to well recorded classic rock, you can see how much the engineer and producer were using the kit at hand to help create the sound - the placement of the vocal and each instrument in space (let's be realistic - it was multitracked with no illusion of a "real" space)... Phil Collins was simply 2 feet behind and slightly above - as if he was standing - the Sophias. The speakers Were Not There.  (is that shaking head sebring blue?). On another album I did double takes to make certain the piano 1) wasn't real, and 2) wasn't outside the wall. Bravo and well done!
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
|
|
| Audio Aficionado Sponsors | |
|
AudioAficionado Subscriber
 Inspire By Dennis Had
 Harmonic Resolution Systems
 Wyred4Sound
 Dragonfire Acoustics
 GIK Acoustics
 Esoteric
 AC Infinity
 JL Audio
 Add Powr
 |
Accuphase - Soulution
 Audio by E
 Canton
 Bryston
 WireWorld Cables
 Stillpoints
 Bricasti Design
 Furutech
 Shunyata Research
 Legend Audio & Video
 |
Linear Mode
