how 'bout Wilson Sophias with Simaudio P-5/W-5 ??


In my quest for a 2 channel audio system, I am quickly becoming confused and overwhelmed. Problem is that I only have one high-end dealer in town, so a lot of my listening is limited to trips away from home, making "A/B" comparisons difficult.

Perhaps, I made the mistake of focusing first on electronics and I repeatedly listened to the Simaudio P-5/W-5/Eclipse CDP usually with JMlab Speakers (936's and Alto Be's). Although, I seemed to be very happy with the Simaudio, I felt that perhaps the Alto Be, although beautiful, was too polite and tame for the kind of rock, alternative rock that I listen to (Radiohead, U2, Strokes, White Stripes, REM, Ryan Adams, Beck, Coldplay, MUSE, etc. etc.) So, I have listened to many other speakers on recent trips (full line of Verity Audio, Meadowlark, Joseph Audio, Wilson Sophia and WP7). I really would prefer to stay at or below 12K for the speakers. (I am still hoping to listen to Dynaudio Confidence C2 and Contour S5.4.) Of all of the speakers I auditioned, I quickly realized how great the WIlson Sophias are for dynamic bass, reproducing drum kits. Moreover, their precise focus, imaging and soundstage were unbelievable. Putting on some dynamic rock pieces, I realized how more emotional the Sophia was compared to some of the other speakers. Yet, I am not sure how well they will mate with the Simaudio equipment. Now, I haven't purchased anything yet, and I am not married to Simaudio. Yet, I really wanted to avoid the maintenance of tubes etc. For reference, I listened to the Sophias with Theta electronics (Dreadnaught, Casablanca, and Compli). I was struck how forward the midrange was compared to JMlab Altos listened to before. Yet, I wondered whether the system could become fatiguing. On the other hand, I have no idea how the Simaudio W-5/P-5 would compare with the Theta. I hope to get to an audio store that carries both, so that I can do extended listening with the Sophia and Simaudio. (will require yet another trip)

In the meantime, can anyone comment on pairing the Sophias with Simaudio electronics ? Otherwise, given that I would like to avoid tubes (if possible) can anyone comment on other solid state electronics that would ideally mate with Sophia. For reference the room is 23 by 13 with 9 foot ceilings. I also like to listen to my music at loud volume.
thom_y

Showing 3 responses by jazzdude

Stehno - I have the W5 driven by a tube preamp and the bass rocks. It is tight, articulate, and absolutely slams. I don't know what was the cause of your problems with the W5's bass except that it isn't universal. In fact you and Peter Moncrief are the only two people I know of who have commented negatively on this aspect of the W5's performance. It does take the W5 a long time to stabilize after powering on. Several days in fact and until the amp settles in the bass is a little woolly and weak, esp so for the first half day after power on.
Thom_y - I use thiel cs2.3's. My current preamp is the Supratek Sauvignon but I have a Supratek Cabernet on the way and it should be in my system in just a couple of weeks at most. The W5 sound is compareable in signature to the Linn Klimax and Theta Citadel except that the W5 is easily distinguished by its better bass control and overall dynamics. But givin the interactive nature of speaker and amp impedences I would recommend a serious audition prior to any purchase.
First off, the W5 is only balanced to the output stages but not including the output stages. So the W5 is not balanced or fully differential all the way through. Secondly the Syrah with XLR outputs is balanced on the output stages, but of course input stages are not balanced. When a single-ended preamp and and push-pull amp are connected via balanced connections it is called a SEPP configuration. I've connected my W5 using both single-ended and xlr connectors at various times. FWIW, the W5 also sounds good single-ended. The two biggest benefits of using the W5 balanced inputs is increased noise rejection for long cable runs if you need it and sometimes increased gain because a lot of preamps have an additional +6db of gain on their xlr outputs. Supratek preamps are not in this category.

My Supratek Sauvignon has only one set of rca inputs and one set of xlr outputs. My Supratek Cabernet has one set of rca inputs and a set of rca outputs and xlr outputs.