How you found the upper end performance yet?

[daveneumann]

I've had my Sashas for 2.5 years and each time I make an upgrade to the rest of my system, I think that now I've maxed out the Sashas performance. But then I change something and once again, I discover a new level of performance.

My most recent upgrade was to move from a Tron Seven phono stage to a Naim Superline & Teddy Pardo Supercap power supply. I thought that the Tron was giving me excellent vinyl performance but the Naim has taken things to a whole new level of dynamics, detail, imaging, nuance and frequency extension in both treble and bass.

Just makes me wonder if anyone here has truly maxed out their Wilson's performance. Is there an upper end and where does the law of diminishing returns come into play? What do you think? What has been your experience?

[Still-One]

The Law of Diminishing Returns is difficult to quantify and it varies with each of us. Although I have heard some exceptional Uberpriced speaker systems none of them is worth plus six figures "to me". I have a real issue with crazy priced pre-amps. I have been considering several higher priced (than the MCD-1100) knowing that the differences will be slight and costly. A real conundrum.

Jim

[chessman]

Dave, I have thought a couple of times that surely I have hit the maximum that my system can do, but I was wrong both times. I bought WireWorld cables hoping the improvement would be noticeable and was blown away by how big the improvement was. I bought a Symposium Svelte Pad and Rollerblocks half hoping that they would not make much difference, but it was like a component upgrade. There must be a limit, but I do not feel like I have hit it yet.

Looking at your gear, I can surely see why you feel like you must be near the top (congrats!). My only advice is to quit trying new stuff.

[Masterlu]

Dave... My advice is to keep going until you hit the wall; you will know when.

[daveneumann]

Originally Posted by chessman

Dave, My only advice is to quit trying new stuff.

Great advice, but hard to heed! After reading Martin Colloms' review of the ARC Ref 5 SE, I think an upgrade to my ARC preamp is in order (and probably a good investment in sound).

Then there is always that nagging question about a complete cable overhaul to Transparent Reference...but the price is a horror!

MasterLu - hope I find that wall soon or else I might have to come out of retirement and get back to work!

[chessman]

Originally Posted by daveneumann

Great advice, but hard to heed! After reading Martin Colloms' review of the ARC Ref 5 SE, I think an upgrade to my ARC preamp is in order (and probably a good investment in sound).

Then there is always that nagging question about a complete cable overhaul to Transparent Reference...but the price is a horror!

MasterLu - hope I find that wall soon or else I might have to come out of retirement and get back to work!

Dave, the wink was because I knew you would not stop ... nor will I.

[o0OBillO0o]

If there were universal standards and they were upheld, then it would be very clear where the performance per dollar points are.

To keep this industry interesting, there is no moderation to "standards."

I always go with equipment that provides the flattest response, on and off axis, with as little noise (distortion) as possible.

Oddly, the best sound I have heard in a while came from a Naim Superuniti, my iPod on a Wadia 170i transport, Power Plant P5 and Triangle Cello Loudspeakers this is tied with a pair of PSB Imagine Towers with NAD 3XX Receiver and Project Debut III turntable.

The C2200, MC352, MCD300, Project Perspex6/MT10, with Cherry B&W 803D speakers system didn't sound as good as the above on two of my CD recordings but was stellar on Vinyl.

This was all at Ensemble HiFi in Nashua, NH

I'm really looking forward to hearing a McIntosh Reference System and Burmester with Sonus Faber Aidia ;-) , I think that is the top!

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by o0OBillO0o

I'm really looking forward to hearing a McIntosh Reference System and Burmester with Sonus Faber Aidia ;-) , I think that is the top!

I know where you can kill two birds with one stone.

[MadFloyd]

Whoah, Dave! You're my mirror image, dude, we have all the same components... First you go and change your preamp, now the Tron is out???

In all seriousness, would love to hear more details on what changes you heard with the Naim, how much $ the upgrade was etc.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by daveneumann

I've had my Sashas for 2.5 years and each time I make an upgrade to the rest of my system, I think that now I've maxed out the Sashas performance. But then I change something and once again, I discover a new level of performance.

My most recent upgrade was to move from a Tron Seven phono stage to a Naim Superline & Teddy Pardo Supercap power supply. I thought that the Tron was giving me excellent vinyl performance but the Naim has taken things to a whole new level of dynamics, detail, imaging, nuance and frequency extension in both treble and bass.

Just makes me wonder if anyone here has truly maxed out their Wilson's performance. Is there an upper end and where does the law of diminishing returns come into play? What do you think? What has been your experience?

Sasha's are a true reference speaker, meaning that they will continue to reveal differences (nuances) between just about any front end components. That's the great benefit you receive from purchasing a speaker like this. Other speakers I have owned always had some flaw that was very easy for me to hear. I'm certainly not saying that the current generation of Wilson speakers is perfect. There is always going to be room for improvement. But I just can't hear significant problems in a particular area, like I could with my previous speakers. Therefore it is likely that you will continue to hear any improvements you make to your system for a long time.