Which electronics would you choose for Sasha DAW with the given budget?

[abeidrov]

Hi abeidrov!

I was hoping you saw my thread as I read your thread and saw your YT videos in the past comparing these amps that I am interested using Sasha DAW.
They are so valuable and your input is greatly appreciate it here.

From your description above, I may prefer CH over Gryphon as I would value musicality over darker sounding and extreme bass grip.
In addition, I mentioned that my room is small and I live in TX, the summer here is very hot. Even yesterday - May 5th, the high was at 90F outside.
I remember that you live in Russia - your Mephisto has a side benefit as room heater, I am sure!

Questions for you:
1. What is your room size?
2. Which DAC do you use now?
3. I remember you added CH L1, curious if you ever connect DAC with volume control directly to Mephisto?
4. Curious about CH A1.5, did it drive your Sasha DAW to your satisfaction? Do you also prefer Antileon EVO over it? I read that Antileon EVO is warmer than Mephisto and Essence.

1. My room is not very big, the listening area is about 5m by 4.8 meters, the actual room is bigger as it’s a living room combined with kitchen.
2. I still use Lampi GG 2, but now with 242 tubes which elevates its performance significantly in my view.
3. No, never tried a dac direct to Mephisto.
4. Very difficult to answer this question. I did not have CH L1, when I tried CH A1.5. Antileon made music jump out of the speakers, it was so dynamic, maybe a bit too much. I was afraid that it can become tiresome with long listening sessions. But I wanted that drive. That is why I went for Mephisto. I think you should try Essence. It certainly should be less warm than Antileon.

 

[DSkip]

There are a lot of things that can be ‘too….’ In a system. I didn’t know dynamic was one of them.

 

[abeidrov]

There are a lot of things that can be ‘too….’ In a system. I didn’t know dynamic was one of
Synonyms & Similar Words
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• energetic
• robust
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• strong
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• tough
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• peppy
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• energetic
• robust
• powerful
• lively
• vigorous
• strong
• healthy
• capable
• lusty
• tough
• athletic
• spirited
• peppy
• kinetic
• mighty
• muscular
• fit
• vivacious
• animated
• red-blooded
• flush
• brisk
• sturdy
• hale
• rugged
• sprightly

 

[GPS]

1. My room is not very big, the listening area is about 5m by 4.8 meters, the actual room is bigger as it’s a living room combined with kitchen.
2. I still use Lampi GG 2, but now with 242 tubes which elevates its performance significantly in my view.
3. No, never tried a dac direct to Mephisto.
4. Very difficult to answer this question. I did not have CH L1, when I tried CH A1.5. Antileon made music jump out of the speakers, it was so dynamic, maybe a bit too much. I was afraid that it can become tiresome with long listening sessions. But I wanted that drive. That is why I went for Mephisto. I think you should try Essence. It certainly should be less warm than Antileon.

As far as a power amplifier I would highly recommend the Ayre VX-R twenty stereo amplifier. 200watts per channel. Neutral, detailed and in my opinion as good a stereo solid state amplifier as any.

 

[Scott Naylor]

I was quite satisfied driving my Sasha and Alexias with Lamm M1.2 monoblocks. Pure Class A 110 Watts into 4 or 8 Ohms, 220 Watts into 2 Ohms, and 400 Watts into 1 Ohm. Used prices run $7.5k to $20k.

tima, am I right that you no longer use Wilson speakers?

 

[Blackfield2023]

Is Gryphon really dark sounding? That's not the impression I get from Hugh's setup.

Hi Lee,
Congrats on your Alexia V.
I read many posts reporting Antileon EVO to be warm sounding, including RH on his TAS review. Apparently Mephisto and Essence are less warmer.

 

[Blackfield2023]

1. My room is not very big, the listening area is about 5m by 4.8 meters, the actual room is bigger as it’s a living room combined with kitchen.
2. I still use Lampi GG 2, but now with 242 tubes which elevates its performance significantly in my view.
3. No, never tried a dac direct to Mephisto.
4. Very difficult to answer this question. I did not have CH L1, when I tried CH A1.5. Antileon made music jump out of the speakers, it was so dynamic, maybe a bit too much. I was afraid that it can become tiresome with long listening sessions. But I wanted that drive. That is why I went for Mephisto. I think you should try Essence. It certainly should be less warm than Antileon.

My room size is smaller at about 18 square meter vs yours (24 square meter).
Did you find CH A1.5 have any difficulty at all driving Sasha DAW? At 275w 4ohm, I would imagine A1.5 can handle it with ease. M1.1 mono is out my budget and curious what improvements you observed vs A1.5.

 

[tima]

tima, am I right that you no longer use Wilson speakers?

That is correct. I had the original Sasha when it first came out, the original Alexia when it came out and the Alexia Series 2. Over a decade with Wilson. Click the system link in my signature.

 

[abeidrov]

My room size is smaller at about 18 square meter vs yours (24 square meter).
Did you find CH A1.5 have any difficulty at all driving Sasha DAW? At 275w 4ohm, I would imagine A1.5 can handle it with ease. M1.1 mono is out my budget and curious what you observed vs A1.5.

It’s all relative! I think yes, it will be able to drive your speakers. Unless you listen to Metallica at 90db all night long, you should be OK.

 

[tima]

Hi tima,
Thank you for bringing up Lamm to my attention, it is a brand that I am not familiar with. I will research it more.

Here's a good place to start:

Lamm Industries M1.2 Reference Mono Amplifiers - The Audio Beat - www.TheAudioBeat.com

read audio reviews, ratings, and user opinions on audio equipment before you buy an audio system

www.theaudiobeat.com

 

[Scott Naylor]

Here's a good place to start:

Lamm Industries M1.2 Reference Mono Amplifiers - The Audio Beat - www.TheAudioBeat.com

read audio reviews, ratings, and user opinions on audio equipment before you buy an audio system

www.theaudiobeat.com

"If I do say so myself!"

 

[Gregadd]

Steve LAMM Wilson is a match made in heaven.
I just think the D'Agostino momentum is a better match for the SASHA.I have no reference for the LAMM combo.

 

[sbnx]

As has been stated…CH and Gryphon sound very different. Vitus also class A.
Just to throw something different. How about VTLS400 with the 7.5 preamp.

 

[tima]

"If I do say so myself!"

Indeed I did. Did you read the review? I cannot write with that level of enthusiasm unless it is genuine. I purchased the review sample and have had them ever since.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Just to throw something different. How about VTLS400 with the 7.5 preamp.

+1

 

[mtemur]

IMHO;
I agree with @tima about Lamm hybrid mono blocks. I heard them with watt/puppies -predecessor of sasha- and the sound was good. It was a better match than gryphon, mark levinson, boulder etc for wilsons back then and I believe it still is. Another good option is vitus which I prefer over boulder, mark levinson, gryphon and especially CH precision.

If you insist on CH go for M1.1 instead of 1.5, which I compared both on same system and there is a big difference between them in terms of sound quality.

If you insist on boulder then go for 2060 or 2160 not the 1000 series.

I don’t think any of the above mentioned amplifiers will have problems driving wilson sashas. In addition to those I heard many amplifiers with sasha or watt/puppies (more or less same topology). The ones I remember are KR mono blocks, a couple of Kondo amps, conrad johnson premier eights, a couple of audio researchs, Nagra 845s, Tenor hybrids etc. Although it’s possible to drive them with tube amps I recommend you to stick with solid state or hybrid amps.

Watt/puppy or sasha are famous with their boomy bass due to double bass drivers in a separate box. Placing them very close to side walls can exaggerate this problem. I recommend you to consider moving them to side where windows will be behind them.

Finally consider getting a preamp if you’re not gonna buy an integrated cause there is no shortcut in this hobby. Dac’s volume control may not compensate the need for a good preamp.

 

[TDX]

IMHO;
I agree with @tima about Lamm hybrid mono blocks. I heard them with watt/puppies -predecessor of sasha- and the sound was good. It was a better match than gryphon, mark levinson, boulder etc for wilsons back then and I believe it still is. Another good option is vitus which I prefer over boulder, mark levinson, gryphon and especially CH precision.

If you insist on CH go for M1.1 instead 1.5 which I compared both on same system and there is a big difference between them in terms of sound quality.

If you insist on boulder than go for 2060 or 2160 not the 1000 series.

I don’t think any of the above mentioned amplifiers will have problems driving wilson sashas. In addition to those I heard many amplifiers with sasha or watt/puppies (more or less same topology). The ones I remember are KR mono blocks, a couple of Kondo amps, conrad johnson premier eights, a couple of audio researches, Nagra 845s, Tenor hybrids etc. Although it’s possible to drive them with tube amps I recommend you to stick with solid state or hybrid amps.

Watt/puppy or sasha are famous with their boomy bass due to double bass drivers in a separate box. Placing them very close to side walls can exaggerate this problem. I recommend you to consider moving them to side where windows will be behind them.

Finally consider getting a preamp if you’re not gonna buy an integrated cause there is no shortcut in this hobby. Dac’s volume control may not compensate the need for a good preamp.

take this wise advice

 

[Daverich4]

If you are talking about the 160M it might depend on what series it was. The recent Mark II is a big improvement over the older Mark I Ref 160M. The Mark II uses the circuit and parts improvements frome the Ref 160 Stereo which I have. It offers tremendous transparency with my Alexia Vs.

I drive my Sasha ll’s with a Ref 6 & Ref 75 SE and am a big fan of Audio Research. That said, I think I’d wait a bit on a purchase of new equipment in that price range until there was a little bit more clarity on the future of the company.

 

[KeithR]

The Essence isn’t a space heater (I have one). It also isn’t dark at all like previous amps. In that sized room it would work great. I prefer it to Vitus but have not heard CH in my system. However I would also try WestminsterLabs.

Lamm is basically done with no succession plan and won’t release schematics so repairs are iffy.

 

[microstrip]

Too many amplifiers will sound great with the Sasha Daw - one of my preferred is the Audio Research REF150 - IMO one of the best bargains in the used market. conrad johnson or VTL are also a great match with them.

If wanting solid state we should not forget brands such as Nagra, Dartzeel, Ayre or D'Agostino.

And just my opinion, I listened to them many times, the Sasha DAW is not "boomy" and can't be compared to the old Watt/Puppy - see the Stereophile measurements section and comments inside. https://www.stereophile.com/content/wilson-audio-specialties-sasha-daw-loudspeaker-measurements