Wilson Audio Sabrina . . . I'm smitten. Should I consider others?

Martin - you nailed it with the S1 bass response.  We stepped up to the S3 to get something closer in response to the Sabrina.  I am not an audiophile, nor will I probably ever be, but the Sabrinas were warmer, richer, and fuller, yet more defined. There were just so musical regardless of what we threw at them.  The Magico dealer expects the A3s in late August, but assured me they were a step down from the S1.

@cedargrover - Vandersteen are one of the few brands that I can hear here in Kansas City.  Listened to the Quatro CT very early on in this process.  You're right, I need to hear them again now that I better know what I think I am seeking.  Great suggestion.

Thank you all for your responses. Scheduled an audition to hear the Vandersteen Quattro CTs again. The dealer also has the Joseph Audio Perspectives, and encouraged me to hear them as well. Also going to make another trip to hear the Sabrina’s again, but in a different showroom with different equipment, which should be a good test to confirm what I heard was not the equipment nor the room. If I am correct, I’ll inquire about a home audiction. I appreciate all of you taking the time to weigh in.

@helomech - nobody in KC has those brands. I traveled to hear them.

@paul79 - thank you for your very gracious offer. What I’ve read about the Joseph Audio Pearl 3s tells me it’s a world class loudspeaker. Unfortunately, it’s not in my budget at this time. Even used, it’s a bit more than I want to spend this time for,this system. 

@prof 

This disappoints me. The 0/96 were a mere 5' apart and the hot seat was about 5' away from them.  I knew it as soon as I took a seat, but that was all this room would allow.  Your response makes me feel like I should find a way to give them another shake before making a final decision.  Have you listened to the Wilson Sabrina?

Several have asked about the Tekton Double Impact SE and while I don't feel qualified to answer this in the appropriate way, I'll just do what I can . . . . . I had a lot of anticipation to hear them, so I heard them first.  They were paired with equipment that was moderately priced compared to the equipment used in the Magico, Wilson Audio, and even Devore Fidelity auditions.  Even before hearing the other brands, the Tektons did not impress me more than my GoldenEar Triton Ones.  The seemed a bit flat or two dimensional.  They lacked something, but I cannot truly put my finger on what it was.  In summary, they just weren't my taste.  

I can see where someone might say the Magicos are analytical, but I'd say the Wilson Sabrinas are musical.  I just drove 3 hours each way today to hear them again, in a different room, with different equipment, and so wanted them to sound different/worse, but they didn't.  I have one more audition, the Vandersteen Quattro CTs again early next week.  I don't want to be predisposed, but it's going to be really hard.

I can't say this enough. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to respond here.  Your answers are all part of my learning process.

@prof I wanted to love them. I purposely saved them for last. I am drawn to their look and finish. Partially my fault, it wasn’t a great audition. I didn’t bring any music. I had been relying on Tidal to stream and this showroom was located where service was spotty. Also, I felt like I sat in the near field (not sure I used that term correctly), so everything was off. Without getting a good read on the them, I can’t really say. It would have been a tall order to surpass what I heard from the Sabrinas, but I was so hoping.

@curiosjim

Visited Mike Kaye at Audio Archon to hear the Tekton Double Impact SE. Listened to the Magicos with Jamie Pauls at F1 Audio. Auditioned the Wilson Sabrinas with David Weintraub and Mick Survance at Quintessence Audio. Drove a little out of my way going home to visit Charley Schnyder at Stereo Haven to hear the DeVore Fidelity 0/96. Everyone was polite, professional, and gracious. They all represented the audio industry extremely well. I would not hesitate to do business with any of them. 

@twoleftears 

I think I may already know the answer, but I will audition Vandersteen Quattro CTs and Jospeh Audio Perspectives early this week. I’d like to hear Focal Sopra 2s and I wish I’d had a better audition of DeVore 0/96s. The Sabrinas just do everything I want in a way that appeals to me. 

@prof 

Reading your description of the desirable properties of the Joseph Audio gets me excited to hear them.  My appointment is tomorrow afternoon.

The plot thickens a bit.  Heard the Sabrinas again (fourth time) at the original audio dealer. They haven't lost anything for me.  Also auditioned the Revel PerformaBe F228BE elsewhere. They surprised me (in a good way). Visited Legacy Audio to hear the Focus XD.  Instead heard the Focus SE and really liked what I heard.  Despite having some internet issues, the Focus sounded promising, and Bill and Brice were great.  Returning home, I researched Legacy Audio and Focus.  Most say to hear/consider the Aeris instead.  I should have been better prepared.  So, here's what I've now listened to, ranked favorite to least, and what I'd like to hear before a final decision is made:

Wilson Audio Sabrina

Legacy Audio Focus SE

Bowers & Wilkins 802 D3

Joseph Audio Perspective

Magico S3 MKII

Vandersteen Quattro CT

Revel PerformaBe F228Be

Magico S1 MKII

DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96

Tekton Double Impact SE

Left to hear:

Legacy Audio Aeris

Magnepan 20.7

Joseph Audio Pearl 3

Focal Sopra 2 or Sopra 3

Any constructive input is welcomed.  I really want to get this right.  I'm not going to rush.

@soix 

I completely understand what you're saying.  First, I'm no audiophile.  I don't know exactly what I like until I hear it.  Also, I'm learning to be a little frustrated with some auditions.  It's clear that some folks know exactly what to do and how to do it, and others do not.  As with many things in life, a good audition of a less product goes along way compared to a bad audition of a good product.  When I started this, I really didn't know what to expect, and while I'm a long way from having a great understanding of it all, I've learned just enough to know when it's a good audition.  

@jafant 

Nope.  I had to travel to hear almost everything.  I travel for work anyway.

@mcreyn 

Great points.  I especially need to burn a CD as I've relied on a Tidal playlist and encountered two dealers that couldn't access Tidal when I went to audition.  

Which Maggies do you have now?

Auditioned two more from my list, the Magnepan 20.7 and the Legacy Aries. Was also able to hear the Magico A3, albeit not yet fully broken in. Auditioned the Maggies in a less than desirable situation. Small room with the speakers only spread about 7’ and seating just about 6’ away, plus Roon lost connection so many times that I lost count. Made it difficult to concentrate. I would really love to hear these properly set up and ideal circumstances, because as is, they don’t make the top five.

The Legacy Aries audition was similar. The dealer is not moving forward with their Legacy line and so the Aries had been removed from their set ups. They were hastily reset and connected. I won’t bore you with the details, but as much as I wanted to love these, I expected to love these, but it was not to be based on this audition. We also heard some Audio Physics loudspeakers with Zesto components and a complete Gold Note rig. Both sounded better, with some really great sound from Gold Note, although asethitically the walnut GN were not my cup of tea.

Finally, heard the Magico A3 with an Octiv integrated and a Lumin streamer. Simple system and the A3 really surprised me, although they have not yet fully broken in. Honestly, I liked them better than the S1MKII. The were articulate with better base extension and had a really meaty midrange.

Nothing has Yet to unseat the Wilson Sabrina so far. Next week I hope to hear the Vandersteen Quattro CT and Joseph Audio Perspective with some Ayre equipment. I really want to love something from my local dealer. I’d also like to hear the PAP Quintet15 with the horns, and I’d like to see if I could get down south to hear the JA Pearl 3. Then it will be done and I’ll have exhausted my search and feel good about my decision.

I have a bad case of analysis paralysis. Three or four pair of speakers were added to my list to audition, that are proving difficult to hear. I hope to remedy this with a trip to AXPONA next week, although the Sabrina are still my favorite. 

@nkonor - Go see Mick and Dave at Quintessence Audio. They’ll bend over backwards to play your music. While their primary way to demo is streaming, they are definitely analogue guys and have great tables.  This is where I fell in love with Wilson Sabrinas. And I love your one word description . . . “Live”


@stringreen - Have heard well broken in Quattro CTs. Maybe I can hear them at Axpona this weekend. I’d love to hear them.