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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
erik_squires
15,788 posts
 

If Pass is sounding bright, you may want to consider selling the Wilsons

 

That isn't the speaker's fault ... 🤣

Seriously though, Pass is one of the most speaker dependent amps I know of, and that's the best way I know of not to derail this conversation. 

bobbydd
91 posts
 

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!

audio_bidder OP
15 posts
 

UPDATE:

I brought home a pair of ARC REF160M mono blocks to power the Sasha’s. Wow!!! These amplifiers are a wonderful match. So much more musical than the Pass INT-30A and Pass X350. Tone and timbre are beautiful. They are relatively lightweight (about 60 lbs each) compared to SS designs which is a big plus for me. Not to mention I think they are a contender for best looking amplifier ever. If there’s any downside, they might not have as much low end slam as the best SS amps but are certainly no slouch. I think I slightly prefer triode mode. 
 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,316 posts
 

Congratulations!!! I bet that sounds awesome!

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skucie
56 posts
 

Congrats! Use the 8 ohm output taps!!

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