Am I broken? Am I stuck? Do I have to return my audiophile card now?


Hi Everyone,

 

I hope you're all doing well!  I am looking for a little advice or input and see if others have experienced this, or am I broken?

 

First, I want to say I am a Wilson fan boy.  Love 'em, hate 'em, whatever, but I love their speakers.  I will also fully admit that I've been in love the with the idea of owning Wilson's since I was a teenager.  Well, about a year ago things worked out - I had the money and we moved into a house (from a condo) - so I auditioned a few different speakers but the Wilson's were what ended up being my choice, specifically SabrinaX's.  I LOOOOVE them.  I drive them with an RME ADI-2 DAC into a Luxman L-509X.  To me, it sounds fantastic.  What one reviewer said about the Sabrina's is what I feel most accurately expresses how I feel about them.  It was something along the lines of, "I enjoy every moment I spend listening to the Sabrina's and think about listening to them every moment I am not listening to them."  

 

But the Sabrina's have one flaw.  They aren't Sasha's, or really, WATT/Puppies as those were the speakers my young self always wanted.  But I wrote off the Sasha's at the time because they were more money, and are MUCH bigger.  Life was good.

 

But then my dealer had a Wilson event and I met the one and only Peter McGrath.  What cool dude.  Anyway, I mentioned to him my love for Sasha's and he fired back that the DAW's were going to be soon replaced that my dealer could probably work out a pretty sweet deal on a pair. 

 

My dealer auditioned the DAW's for me with a pretty modest (relatively speaking) amp, at my request.  A Hegel H120 using the internal DAC/Streamer.  Well, the DAW's easily blew my Sabrina's out of the water here.  The imaging was far, far sharper, bigger deeper, taller stage, far more detailed, actual SLAMM and the dynamics...  Oh brother, the dynamics....

 

So here's the thing, my dealer is amazing just doesn't know how to say "no" so he's offered me a smookin' good deal on a trade in for my Sabrina's for the Sasha's.  I can very comfortably afford to do the swap.  My wife is fine with the size/looks of the DAW's.  Everything is a go!  But...  But I come home and listen to my Sabrina's and think, "This is friggin amazing!" and so I am left not pulling the trigger.  I'm actually happy with the sound, despite knowing that there is better.

 

The other side of this is that I used to want to pursue a better amp/DAC for my Sabrina's but now I don't really.  After having heard the DAW's I know the Sabrina's will never reach that level, regardless of gear.  So spending on a amp/DAC seems silly when, if I am going to spend the money, I know I should just get the DAW's as that will offer a greater improvement.

It's like I've stale mated myself!  

I don't want to change my Sabrina's because they sound so good.  But the DAW's do sound better.  But I am happy with the Sabrina's!  And so the circle goes...

So am I broken?  Am I to be stripped of my audiophile card?  Has anyone else experienced this where they can fully acknowledge that there is better than what they have, but still not have the motivation to make the leap?  Or maybe I'm just being cheap (I do also want to support my dealer because he's amazing)?

Maybe I'm alone here in how I feel.  But I suspect there are a few audio-friends who may understand.

Happy listening,

-Paul

 

bigfatpaulie

I was seriously considering going from Harbeth 30.2 XD to SabrinaX, but opted for 40.3 XDs last weekend. 

One of the reasons was the likely itch to upgrade from entry level. 

The other was off-axis listening - Harbeth's sound good outside of the sweet-spot and from what I understand, Wilson's not so much.

I still lust after Wilson's though...nice dilemma for you:)

So, here’s the deal ... you need to determine the point of diminishing returns. Are the Sashas THAT MUCH BETTER than the Sabrinas? What’s the percentage of improvement? If it’s a wide margin, then I say to go for it because tomorrow is not guaranteed. OTOH, if the Sashas are only a small improvement, then there may be no logical or practical reason for the trade ... in that case, apply the extra money toward a better amp and/or DAC.

Carpe Diem - If there is a deal there that allows you to do the move I would take it. Those opportunities don’t come up often. I would make the leap personally. I have had a few life events that caused me to be in a hole but I’ve still gotten a new DSP last week because it is more than twice the fidelity of the one I’m using and being part of the early adopter program is exciting to me. They are asking for input and feedback which is fun. It’s an experience I wouldn’t have if I waited. Let us know what you decide! 
 

- Steve

Hi bigfatpaulie...you ask a fine question, thanks.

I choose not to view other responses to provide my gut feeling as a seasoned music lover and not a gear person.  It appears your Sabrina's are working really well in your room, which is vital to great sound.  I'd upgrade the gear, knowing you can always make a speaker move in the future and maybe, by that time, yet another speaker may be your preference.  Onwards and upwords!  

More Peace, Pin      (bold print for old eyes)