What amp is best with Wilson Sasha DAW speakers


Just received my new Wilson Sasha DAW speakers and am now beginning to sift through a long list of electronics that would bring out the best in them. If anyone owns these and could give some recommendations I love to hear them. I’m open to tube or solid state. Looking for amps and preamp. All opinions are appreciated.
carey1110

Showing 4 responses by verdantaudio

jetter, there you go.  My preference is a slightly forward sound profile which is what MF delivers.  I don’t see Parasound getting a bad rap.  

Dealers I know that carry it have been complimentary if that is the price point you are at.  The JC3+ is beloved.  
For the OP - I strongly recommend you check out VTL amps.  They pair very well with Wilson. The MB-185 MK3 will deliver plenty of power and will sound awesome.  A tinge warm, very Musical.  Just wonderful amps.  I have the original MB-185s.  

VTL is regularly shown with VTL gear at shows, I have listened to the MB-185s driving Wilson in a dealer showroom.  I don’t like the VTL preamp but their amps are amazing.  

I have also heard Ayre’s MKR gear driving Alexx’s And it was one of the best sounding systems I have ever heard.  

I think the VTLs will deliver a sound that is closer to your taste based on what you described above.  

I sell amps that I think would do a lovely job but haven’t heard parolees with Wilson’s so I am just guessing.

Regarding the Parasound argument, I get that people feel like they have found a hidden gem or they can’t hear a difference above a certain point.  In another forum, there is a guy who is convinced anyone buying something better than a Denon receiver is a fool because he can’t hear the difference between a Denon receive and a Marantz Reference receiver driving a pair of Polk rti’s.

As someone who doesn’t particularly like Parasound’s house sound, this seems like a bizarre argument for anyone to make.  The A21 is competitive at it’s price point but it will be seriously outclassed by many products.  I prefer the Musical Fidelity M6 PWR and would take the M8 Mono Blocks over the JC1s.  It isn’t that they are inherently better.  I just like MFs sound profile better.  

@rauliruegas  I think the MFs vs. the JC1 are technically relatively comparable units.  They are similarly priced and are directly competitive in many ways including power, overseas building, etc...  I would never buy the JC1s over the MF M8 500s if I was in that market based on speakers I have owned previously, not because I think the JC1s are technically inferior, but because I prefer a different sound.   

That being said, I am not about to say that I think the MF M8s are in the same league as Ayre MXR Twenty's, anything from D'Agostino or a variety of other companies for SS amps.  They aren't going to sound dreadful and won't be an embarrassment but I am going to go out on a limb and guess that someone who has spent $38K on a pair of speakers is probably not looking for an amp that won't embarrass itself, but rather will deliver the best sound possible.  

I would also argue that given the OPs stated preferences, Parasound, MF, Ayre, D'Agostino and a variety of other SS amps and preamps would be a poor match and that they are likely to prefer tube gear (VTL, ARC, etc) or warmer SS gear like (Pass, Naim, etc...).  Just opinion and worth and probably worth what you paid for it.
Personal taste but IMO the ARC Ref 10 is the best of the three. 

I would consider a CJ GAT, Ayre KX-R Twenty or Soulution 725 over the VTL or the Spectral.  I think the Arc Ref 10 is best of all of these though.