Hi Wilson W/P8 owners, best amp ever to drive WP8?

Dear Arwp: I respect the Atmasphere asumption that the 8's are designed to favor tubes but IMHO that assumption could be a " little " controversial ( for say the least ) due that the 8's has a complex electrical impedance curve that goes so low like 2.2 Ohms that always for any tube amplifier represent a very high target that the tube unit can't achieve ( fully " calm " ) making a degradation ( distortion/colorations ) to the audio signal, this does not happen with SS units like the one you own.

Even MR. Atkinson ( that like Atmasphere has a top knowledge on the subject ) in the Stereophile 8's review made this comment about:

" However, and also like its predecessors, the WATT/Puppy 8's impedance characteristic demands the use of an amplifier that can deliver generous amounts of current. " adding:

" It is definitely a difficult load for an amplifier to drive,........The Wilson did sound superb driven by Ayre MX-R monoblocks on both of the occasions I listened seriously to it in Wes's room. ""

No, I don't want to start any " argue " on the subject with Atmasphere, it is only a different opinion: IMHO I think SS is the best way to go with the 8's but of course any one else could think different.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Gerrym5: There is no doubt that your Lamm's are good tube design amplifiers aand that its quality performance is between the tube technology limitations that between other things means a high output impedance, depending on the " tap " the 2.1 goes from 1 Ohms to 2 Ohms that are considering high output impedances.

What happen with a high output amplifier impedance against the speaker electrical impedance is that exist anon-matched impedances and then the amplifier response instead to be flat fluctuate ( with differeces on SPL all over the speaker electrical impedance/frequency response ).
The response/what we are hearing in those conditions is a " equalization " on the signal due ( between other things ) to that un-matched impedances.
That " equalization "/deviations/colorations does not happen ( everything the same ) when the amplifier has a low output impedance ( say 0.1 Ohm ) and can match the speaker one.

Now, you like what you are hearing, you like those deviations/amplifier equalization, but that does not means is the best way to go with that speaker.

Just imagine your Lamm's with a low output impedance, that will be like " heaven " but unfortunately nothing is perfect and we have to choose the best trade-offs according our music-sound quality performance priorities.

Btw, Arwp the Krell Evolution could be well an " evolution " from what you own.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Arwp: +++++ " little more warmth and glow in the midrange, overall airiness in the treble and soundstage plus a more natural/real presence of acoustics................. Well controlled bass and a tight mid bass are top priority. " +++++

Maybe you don't need a " new/different " amplifier but IMHO a " new " approach due to the WP8 characteristics.

The " key " factor can/could be that the WP8 goes really " down " into the bass ( 21hz. ), this fact put " pressure " on the IMD ( intermodulation ditortion ) in that driver that has to handle ( at the same time ) frequencies over and to 200-250hz.

Waht happen if you add two self powered subwoofers ( in true stereo fashion ) to " liberate " the WP8 of the " responsability " to handle that last ( bass ) 1.5 octave?, the IMD goes down and all what you are looking improve/change for the better: you can achieve a higher quality performance on your system and according with what are your overall targets, everything improve: your Krell will perform better in this " new " frequency range ( with out frequencies say from 50-70hz and down ),better mid bass, better ( quality and quantity ) and controlled deep/low bass ( here you not only will have the right drivers/subs to handle the bass frequencies but a " dedicate " amplifiers to that specific and difficult bass frequency range. ), better soundstage, better mid range and high frequency due that you don't have " smeared/distorted " sound coming from the WP8 bass driver, etc, etc.: you system change for the better!!!!!

IMHO I can tell you that a pair of WP8 with two subwoofers ( everything the same ) outperform a pair of MAXX2 , no doubt about.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.