Which integrated for Wilson Sabrina's


HI audio friends,

Considering decluttering my main system and moving from pre and power to a high end integrated.  I currently have the Coda Continuum power amp, LTA reference 2 preamp, hifi rose streamer and Wilson Sabrina's.  

Cabling, set up and all the tedium of pre and power feels unnecessary when i consider some of the excellent integrated options available.  I have always been impressed by BAT engineering and their vk 80i has had some great reviews, but  I don't think the 55w is enough for the wilsons.  The vk 3500 would definitely have enough grunt, but i'm curious what everyone thinks and am open to other options.  

Thoughts?

cshadow

+1 Hegel Had one but much prefer tube integrated.

Rogers High Fidelity EHF-200 MK2 Integrated Tube Amplifier LIFETIME WARRANTY Call direct. No need to ebay and better price wiggle room. Also has the KWM-88 Integrated Tube.. The could be bought right. (I have an 88)

 

 

 

 

I would get a KRELL K-300i integrated for those Wilson’s. One unit, plug in your Ethernet and done. The internal DAC is as good as all internal DACs (so not the top tier) but the sonics of the KRELL are great. It also has the very best ROON READY integration with adjustable volume from the ROON Client. No one else I have tried has that feature.

I sold the KRELL K-300i to buy the KRELL DUO 175XD amp. I sold that to most likely buy the just released KRELL KSA-i400 amp. I am wavering on the size of the amp. The K-300i integrated is also a little big in the depth department. Though not too big. These 3 amps I listed are all based on the latest iBias and XD tech they have. Super smooth Class A with no heat. I am a sonic details guy, and I am very surprised at how much I like the new KRELL gear. It is warmer and smoother than what I normally like.

I used the Benchmark LA4 preamp with the 175XD and will do so with the KSA-i400.

I have an MC312 driving my Sabrinas. Very clean and clear. The 312 is hooked up to an MA8900 second output. The 8900 run my KLH Model 5 in another room. Two distinct rooms that are perfect for my different tastes in music.

a very good power cord is a Must. 
 

@audioman58 Which pc’s have your brother tried with the Diablo? Looking for a great power cord for my D300.

 

 

cshadow OP

20 posts

My current system sounds really good, but it lacks refinement in the top end and needs more weight and body in the midrange for my taste. The LTA has a lot of air for a tube pre, but can be a shade bright at times.

I have the Wilson Sabrina and drive them with Pass Labs XA30.8 Class A amp / Pass Labs XP12 linestage combo. The sound is exactly what you describe as your goal - luscious mids, refined top end, full deep bass. If you have a large room, the XA60.8 mono block amps should be more than enough. Pass Labs gear (especially their Class A amps) and Wilson speakers have excellent synergy.
Your preamp is fine.


IMO going from separates to integrated in a $9000 budget range is a big mistake.

One other note - the Sabrinas are picky when it comes to placement and room acoustics. It took me several weeks to fine tune.
A rug or carpeted floor is a must. The first reflection points and the front wall (the wall behind the speakers) must be treated as a bare minimum. Use furniture, acoustic panels, etc.