Wilson Sophias and Jolida Integrated

AYRE 7XE INT AMP. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO A PAIR OF SOPHIA I DRIVEN BY THIS INT AMP AND SOUND WAS VERY NICE.

I WOULD ALSO TRY THE ELECTROCOMPANIET ECI4 INTEGRATED. I HAVE NOT HAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS COMBO BUT I HAVE HAD OF EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER WILSON W/P7 AND ELECTOCOMPANIET AND IT WAS A GREAT COMBO.

Twilo:I owned emotive stuff in the past. In my opinion it just sounds really thin. The thing that has drawn me to the tube stuff is the breathtaking soundstage which so far the best SS gear has not given me with the Sophias. Listened to Krell KAV300 int and kav-250, Rotel rb1582 as well as bryston 4bsst. I liked the rotel the best out of those with the Sophias.

bjbcab:The audition that made me buy the sophias was on an ayre v-5 at HiFi house in wilmington DE. That amp was brilliant if I go SS I am considering either Ayre, Levinson, or Simaudio.

I have definitely bumped up the budget a little bit on this project as I have been auditioning a number of amps with the sophias. Got a chance to listen to a friends jolida stuff and I have to say it sounded better through a HK receiver. I got a chance to audition the CJ LP66s which was fantastic with only 60 WPC. Right now I am breaking in a rogue cronus magnum and still am not thoroughly impressed it is very grainy. I am going to listen to the ARC VSi 60 and the BAT vk300 next week. I will let you guys know my thoughts. So far CJ has been the most impressive tube gear but I haven't heard ARC or VAC yet. It may be CJ mono blocks on the used market.

Update: I just finished auditioning the audio research VSi60 and I have absolutely found the one.

Palena, Don't confuse "Emotive" with "Emotiva." They are different companies in totally different market niches.