Wright WPA 3.5's What's Next?


I am the owner of these amps and was wondering if anyone has owned these and moved on to better things?Can anyone suggest an amp that they have preferred over these mono's for their efficient(Horn speakers 103db)system.Not looking to break the bank either i should add.I was going passive using the EVS nude attenuator and recently switched to the Eastern Electric Minimax active preamp.Am i barking up the wrong tree in thinking about moving on from these amps?i think i am trying to gain a bit more lushness PERHAPS.My system does sound really nice but was wondering just what might be the next step for me guys?My system is posted but i haven't added the Minimax to the list yet as i was still auditioning it and i think it is a keeper over going passive.
thanks!!
seekburk

Showing 1 response by darkmoebius

Have you considered that the problem might have more to do with the Bag End monitors than the Wright amps?

Those speakers were primarily intended for pro live sound setups like clubs or theaters, which has slightly different sonic priorities than private home systems. The current TA series is listed as being intended for:

Auditorium Sound Reinforcement
Church Sound Reinforcement
NIghtclub Applications
DJ Systems Installation
Foreground Music Systems

To quote the TA5000-C Time-Align (updated TA-15) review in On Stage:

"Before taking the TA5000-Cs out on a gig, I tested them in my studio. The TA5000-C sounded a mite lean in the midbass and bright and highly detailed on top."

Combining those types of speakers with 2A3 amps is a pretty sure bet for a more dry or lean sound. 2A3's are accurate, revealing, an magical but certainly no one would describe them as rich or lush in the way that other tubes are famous for.

But, I would bet that the Wrights, mated with proper speakers, are likely to produce more pleasing sound than the Bag End monitors with other amps.

Regardless, if you want a more lush or full sound, try a really good EL-34 amp, maybe even an 845 set. Along those lines, the most "lush" sounding amps I have ever heard are Cary 300B amps. For my tastes they are far too much so, but in a system that is slightly lean, the combination may be heavenly.