2. amps-preamps
  3. 1239491095

Sophia II's and Pass Labs etc

HI!

I will buy a new amp set up for my Wilson Audio Sophia II's after the summer. I currently use a Burmester 051 integrated amp and a Burmester 061 cd player + a TW Acustic Raven w/Graham Phantom II arm will be ordered soon

I like the Burmester 011 preamp and Burmester 911 mk3 amp very much, although I have not tested the amp set on my speakers. The price for the set in Norway is NOK 276,000,-

The other options I am looking at are:

- Pass Labs XP20 and XA 100,5 / XA 160.5 mono amps, approx. NOK 210,000 / NOK 255,000

- Audio Research REF 3 preamp and REF 110 amp, approx. NOK 220,000,-

- Simaudio Moon P8 and Simaudio Moon W8, approx. NOK 245,000,-.

- Spectral DMC-30SS and Spectral DMA 360, approx. NOK 230,000,-.

And then you have Conrad Johnson, Mark Levinson, Luxman, Accuphase, MBL, etc etc.

Do you have any preferences of the amps mentioned. Do you know if Pass Labs XA 100.5 will be strong enough for the Sophia 2's?

I listen foremost to pop/rock/hip hop/electro/jazz/metal/etc, since I am a talent buyer within the festival circuit in Norway.

Thanks for your help.

Cheeers, ToffenG, Norway
toffeng

Showing 5 responses by toffeng

toffeng OP
41 posts
 
HI!

Thanks! I will try to get hold of Pass Labs for a review. It may not be possible as there is only one dealer in Norway. The same with Simaudio Moon. For Spectral I have to travel to Great Britain...

Cheeers, ToffenG
toffeng OP
41 posts
 
Hi!

Thanks for your insight.

I will check out:

- Burmester 011 and 911mk3
- Pass Labs XP 20 and XA100.5
- Simaudio Moon P8 and Simaudio Moon W8

Have you any experience with Parasound JC2 Preamp and Parasound JC 1 mono amps on Sophia 2's?

Cheeers and thanks, ToffenG
toffeng OP
41 posts
 
Hi!

Thanks!

I have read lots of good reviews of the VTL and Lamm amps. I will check out who got them in Norway. MBL has a distributor in Norway now.

Cheeers, ToffenG
toffeng OP
41 posts
 
Hi!

Unfortunately I do not think The Ayre MX-R mono amps and Ayre KX-R preamp are within my budget as they cost NOK 350,000. The Pass Labs combo costs NOK 210,000 and Burmester NOK 275,000.

Cheeers! ToffenG
toffeng OP
41 posts
 
Hi all!

Thanks for all the advise! Much appreciated.

I have got some quotes from the various dealers now, and two pieces are standing out:

- Mark Levinson No 432 amp and Mark Levinson No 326S amp (very nice quote indeed)
- Burmester 911mk3 demo

I also got nice quotes from Pass Labs, and the Krell, Simaudio Moon, Plinius & Audio Researc dealer is also keen.

How is Krell compared to PassLabs? Krell Evolution EVO 302 and Krell Evolution EVO 222? The dealer told me that the Krell sound is the most smooth one, as Simaudio Moon is more of everything, the Audio Research is great midrange and treble, but lacks punch. And he reccommended Plinius a lot. I will travel up to him (2 hrs flight) to check out all with a Wilson Audio 2. He is lucky for me also a dealer for Wilson, the only one in Norway.

Cheeers and thanks, ToffenG
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