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Speaker cables for Wilson Sophia 3

Good Day,

I've recently upgraded from Kef 205/2 to Wilson Sophia 3. Firstly, i'd like to share my initial experience on the Sophia 3
Secondly, I'm looking for opinions on speaker cables which will work best with these speakers. However, I'm not looking for a pair of cable which will cost as much as my speakers!

Wilson Sophia 3: IMHO, they're awesome speakers and they're a big step forward comparing to the Kef 205/2 (worth the upgrade!). They're very balance from top to bottom. However, I need to crank-up the volume to get them going. I highly recommend the Sophia 3

Speaker cables: I'm currently using Grover Sx speaker cables. They sound good on the Sophia 3 but I don't think they're "the one" SCs for the Sophia 3!
Wilson has replied to my email to confirm Transparent was used for internal wiring. However, I’m reluctant to purchase cables with network boxes (purest signal path is the path with nothing in between!?)
Can experienced Wilson users recommend a few cables brand?

Also for future ref. what will be the best cdp to go with the Sophia 3!? Should I go with integrate or transport, dac and clock. I'm leaning toward Antelope Gold Dac+PSU+ Clock or Lessloss DAC+CEC

My system:
Wilson Sophia 3
McIntosh MC501
Audio Research Ref 3
Primare CD 31 (with Analogue section heavily mod)
Linn LP12, Dynavector 17D3, Ittok, Lingo
Linn Uphorik
Grover Huffman Sx SCs
Nordost Quatro Fil ICs
LessLoss Sig. PCs on mono blocks which are feed by Weizhi PRS6
Stefan Audio Art PCs on cdp and pre which are feed by Shunyata Hydra 2
TG Audio Black & White 9awg to feed into Weizhi and Shunyata
Vibra Pods & cones on cdp, pre and tt
Custom Hifi stand using thick mdf and steel rods!
Music pref. mainly Jazz and classical

Regards,
primare_cd31
primare_cd31

Showing 13 responses by primare_cd31

primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Samhar
Do you know if PAD can be easily matched with non PAD ICs? I don't really want to replace all wires
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Thank you for your replies. My price range would be $1500 for used pair

Kana813,
There is nothing wrong with the Grover Sx. I'd say they're the best cables at this price range and to my ears. You may want to ask Grover to custom your pair e.g. Add more weight, airy, etc. He is a nice guy to work with.
However, I want to see if there is anything better out there for my new price range
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Dear All
Any advice on integrated cdp or 2/3 boxes?
Thanks
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Audioracle
Have you use vibrapod previously? Do you use anything to further control vibration under your components?
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
New headache!!!!
For the first time, I've tried to play with acoustic treatment. It was a cheap diy. My family room is about 7x5 meters with a large wooden cabinet on a side and an lcd on wall (longer wall). My speakers and electronics locate on the shorter wall side. I used a blanket to cover the lcd last night and wow the sound seems to flow more subtle, better to my ears. However, question come in term of room treatment. Do any of agon fellows have any recommendation on a basic acoustic treatment plan! I have heavy urtain behind speaker but almost empty wall behind listening chair . Standard door size entrance is also on the same side. I'll add a door to enclose the room shortly
Please note i wish ican move the furniture, etc the way i want but in reality the wife factor is an issue!
Thanks
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Thank you all for your responses. Much appreciated!

Kana813, I beleive Art also used Shindo amps. However, I've emailed Auditorium to find out if they have 30 days return policy

Since I'm using McIntosh MC501's, I'm not entirely sure if their autoformer will work well with network boxes cables e.g. Transparent or MIT. In Australia, it is almost impossible to try out ref. cables at home due to thier costs and they only get order from manufacture upon purchases. Hence, I source most of my cables from the US and try to have a one off purhcase due to postage cost between US and AU (yes, we're in the middle of nowhere!)
I'm trying my luck here but has anyone tried Transparent/ MIT on MC501's?
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Thank You all for your responses
I'm looking into PAD Venustas SCs

Do you have experience on Acoustic Zen Absolute?
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
I'm thinking of continue to use the Grover Sx but add in a pair of Walker hd links
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Thank you all!
I was so close in trying PAD Venustas. However, i've emailed Wilson and they also recommend Transparent. I'll try with a used pair Ultra, not the new mm tech. I'll move to ref if the Transparent proves to be working!
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Dear All,
Please see the extracted email from Wilson Audio re. internal wiring in my Sophia 3. However, they didn't mention if the Transparent network box was used or not! There is a recent sale of a Transparent watt puppy tails on ebay but they 're too short for my application

.........
Thanks for writing. Yes, indeed, we do use the raw Transparent wire and twist it here at the factory for our internal wiring.
Indeed, it is excellent cable with the Sophia 3.
Jerron
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Transparent Ultra has made it on top of my SCs list!

Kana813,
Have you settled on a pair of SCs for your Sophia 3?
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Thank you all. I'll try with a used Tranparent Ultra pair and upgrade if it sounds good. Any opinion on the old Ultra vs the latest Ultra with mm2 tech, i think?
I'm also waiting for a new Esoteric K03 to be delivered! It'll replace the Primare cd31
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Good Day,
I've also recently install 4 corner bass traps (Blakhole) in 4 corners of the room. While the bass response has improved substaintially. The bass zones seem to be shifted! For certain songs, there is very little bass at the listening chair position while seated. However, there is plenty of bass if standing up at the listening chair position!
Can you please let me know what i can do to resolve the issues?
I've done my simple mod calculation but really have no idea where are the problems or how/ where to apply acoustic treatments.
Appologise for this as i'm new to these acoustic treatments. Your helps will be much appreciated

L 19.7
W 16.5
H 7.9
Cu.Ft. 2567.895
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W-5 171.2121212
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L-6 172.0812183
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H-6 429.1139241
L-7 200.7614213
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L-11 315.4822335
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