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Wilson Sasha W/P amplifier pairing

I acquired a pair of Wilson Sasha W/P speakers this year. They’re Series 1 Sasha’s. Now trying to find great mono blocks to power them. My other system has Harbeth Speakers and a Pass Labs amp, I love the combo and can listen for hours without fatigue. I’d really prefer something warm and non fatiguing for the Sasha’s. 
 

Amps I’ve tried so far:

Pass Labs X350 - too bright and forward, etched vocals, not a lot of sparkle but plenty of authority

Pass Labs INT-30A - much better all around than the X350 but still too bright and forward. Not nearly enough power for Sasha. End result is too cold and thin

Bob Latino ST-120 - this is a $1200 kit tube amp I built. 60WPC. This amp was surprisingly kind of magical with Sasha.  Never fatiguing and full bodied. Unfortunately it went up in smoke because I can’t solder.

 

Mono blocks I’m considering:

Audio Research Ref 160M

Lamm 1.2 Reference

Pass Labs XA100.8

 

Preamp is a PrimaLuna EVO 400. Rega RP3 with Exact cart. Denafrips Ares II DAC streaming Roon via MicroRendu. Any advice welcome. 

audio_bidder
audio_bidder OP
15 posts
 

@audiotroy Every Zesto room I heard at Axpona was amazing, it not only sounded great, it felt right on an emotional level. Along with the ARC Ref / Vandersteen bookshelf room, I really got tube fever. 

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
616 posts
 

Try a pair of Pass 60.8 - unless your room is large and/or you listen at high volumes.

You have the option then to put the money saved over the 100.8s into a better preamp.

 

plaw
80 posts
 

I have the Sasha 1's.  It is easier to say what I have tried which does NOT drive them.  PS Audio, Classe, Hafler do NOT drive the bass driver which can dip down to below 2 ohms.  I purchased a used set of Rowland monoblocks and WOW!.  They came alive.  I have heard the new Sasha DAW's on D'Augustino's and was not wowed.  I went to LMC in Scottsdale who has both the D'Augs and Burmester - the Burmester's were very very good.  If I did not have Rowland I would do that one.  Have fun with your Sasha's - there really is no other speaker like them that I have heard.  

rolox
180 posts
 

Last Sunday I visited some local audio show (here in Brussels). There were two rooms using Wilson speakers. One made use of D’Agostino amps, the other had bigger model Wilsons (Alexx?) driven by a full fledged Nagra system, in a very big room.

The D’Agostino driven Wilsons were warmer, had great bass, but (in that room at least) poor imaging

The Nagra system was very transparent and dynamic but definitely BRIGHT. Well, over defined and tilted up at the highest frequencies. I enjoyed it, because I enjoy hearing everything there is on a recording, but a lot of people I know who visited that room didn’t like the sound at all.

I have nothing but respect for the Wilson Audio brand but I have to say, I believe they’re not for everyone, and I would suspect you might have a hard time adjusting coming from Harbeth!

chayro
2,932 posts
 

If Pass is sounding bright, you may want to consider selling the Wilsons. I am a big Harbeth fan as you are, and I’m not sure Wilson and Harbeth lovers can get along. I have heard them sound good with Lamm, but that’s a lot of money to throw at a speaker that isn’t clicking with your tastes. Also, when some people say “bright”, they actually mean “harsh”, which to me means a honky, annoying midrange, which can be difficult to get rid of. If you’ve got the money, time and inclination go ahead, but it may take a lot of all three.

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