@plaw which Rowland model do you have?
@chayro that’s what I’m afraid of. I’m going to try better amps and see where I end up. In fairness, I haven’t given the Sasha’s the amps they deserve yet. Front end is also pretty entry level. If that doesn’t work I’ll be trialing some Harbeth M40’s.
@yoyoyaya I’d love to try Pass .8 series but I think I’m ready for tubes. The PrimaLuna EVO 400 is a great preamp. Stereophile and TAS reviewers both asked to keep the review sample as their reference preamp. Take a look at the internals.
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.
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@audio_bidder I have the Rowland Model 7's - but I am looking for the 625s2 if I can find one used. I spoke with someone who sold one and he went with the new Rowland 725 Monos which he said were slightly better than the 625s2. Maybe you have a dealer around that will let you take one home and hook one up. Nothing like them that I have heard. You should be able to find some used older Rowlands pretty inexpensively - you will have a pretty sweet system with the Sasha 1's I think the thing I heard most was a dynamic slam and an intricate soundstage - I know it does not seem that these things can go together but they did. |
The tweeter in the Sasha 1's is the older inverted titanium tweeter. It is good but can be a little harsh/edgy with some material and in some set ups. How do I know? Because i have owned W/P 7's for 17 years (same tweeter). Didn't really recognize the edginess until I bought Magico A5's and Joseph Audio Pulsar 2 Graphene's. The tweeters in both are superior to the older Wilson unit, lower in distortion and yet more transparent. The Wilson needs a slightly warm amp but something that can handlle low impedence. Good luck! |
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