Former Sasha 1 owners...what have you moved to?

daveneumann

daveneumann

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Mar 17, 2016
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Hi all, I'm new here. Found this site through Jim Smith. Seems to be much more active and positive than the alternative audio sites.

I've owned my Sashas for 6 years. Rest of system includes: Doshi Jhor monoblocks, Doshi Alaap full function preamp, TW Akustic Raven table with Graham Phantom Supreme arm and Air Tight PC1; Transparent reference cables. My listening includes acoustic and light rock, singer songwriter, and small ensemble jazz as well as big bands.

I am moving to a new house and my audio room will be 17' wide, 9' tall, 35' long, with a partial dividing wall half way down the length.

Where I live in Louisville, it is impossible to get home auditions and the nearest high end stores are several hours away. I can audition Magico, Sonus Faber, Focal, Ariel, Dynaudio, B&W, JBL, Revel. The Magico S line (3 or 5 mk2) is interesting to me, and so is Sonus Faber like the Amati Futura. My budget is $30,000 total including trade in or sale of my Sashas, and I don't need to buy new.

So for those of you who owned Sashas in the past and have happily moved on, where did you end up and why? Any regrets?

Thanks much,

Dave
 
Thanks Mike. This is a great site! I look forward to hearing from others on my questions.

Dave
 
Hello Dave, it's been a while!

I would strongly suggest Magico S5's. I went from Sophia 2 > Sashas > Alexias > S5 (and now Magico M Project). The S5 (mk1) was such an improvement over the Alexia it wasn't funny.

The only problem may be your amplification. As you know it was voiced for the Sashas. I didn't like them on the Alexias and I briefly tried them on the S5's and it was pretty dull sounding.
 
Hi Madfloyd. Yes it has been a while. I hope you are well and thanks for your reply.

Magico is on my radar screen. I heard the S3 and was impressed.

Have you compared the S3 to S5 to S5 mk II?

I understand about the Doshi amps. Makes me think I need to take them with me to audition.

Thanks for the input!

Dave
 
Hi Keith. Great question. Most of the time I really enjoy the Sashas. In fact I have kept them for much longer than any speaker before.

There are 2 general reasons I am considering a change. First is that there are times that the titanium tweeter calls attention to itself and in a non complimentary way. Wilson has abandoned this tweeter in favor of a soft dome. Either due to the tweeter, or other voicing and tonality issues, I cant always just relax into the music like for example the "warm embrace" of Sonus Faber.

The second issue is that in the six years I've had them technology marches on. I'm in the place now where I can buy my next long term speaker so I am evaluating options.

Thanks for the question.

Dave
 
Welcome to AS Dave!

Lots of choices at your price point. It is no secret that Doshi and Wilson play music very nicely together. The Sasha 2s are very nice and for a bit more the Alexias (I realize a lot over your planned budget) would be a nice step up and would mate well with the Doshi.

Magicos are nice as well (as you know) but I have never heard them with Doshi.

I'm sure you'll get great perspectives here in AS.
 
Thanks Mike. Yeah, the Sasha 2 is also on my radar screen. But it will take a 5 hour road trip to audition them at Paragon. The good news is that Larry has the Doshi Amps on hand, so that would be a valid audition.

I just wonder if the upgrade cost of going from Sasha 1 to Sasha 2 is worth it ($15,000 - $20,000), versus other options. I know...only my ears can make that decision! But my hope is that by hearing other people's experiences of moving beyond Sasha 1 and their long term satisfaction, it will help to narrow things down.

Thanks,

Dave
 
If you're looking for a warmer sound I would audition SF, Devore, and Harbeth. I think the Devore Gibbon X is a really good speaker and would work well with your existing amps.
 
another speaker I forgot to mention is Evolution Acoustics - they have one of the most natural extended tweeters in the business. Good luck!
 
Thanks Keith. I appreciate the recommendations. I have heard the Devore 0/93 and they did have some very nice qualities. I'd like to hear the Evolution Acoustics, but finding a place to audition is always a challenge.

Dave
 
Hi Dave,

I've owned WP6, WP8, Maxx2, Maxx3 and have owned Rockport Altairs now for a few years. I haven't heard your Doshi electronics but have read many great things about them. You might consider a used pair of Maxx3's, great pricing right. Also, I'd find a Rockport dealer or owner to listen and see how you react to their sound.

Finally, since you're a Transparent cable owner...what version are your Reference cables ? MM2? If so I'd seriously consider Gen 5 or maybe upgrading to Ref XL Gen 5. Serious gains here, good trade in pricing...and great synergy with Wilsons (and my Rockports)

Good luck !
 
Hi jfrech,

I see those great deals on Max 3, brand new for low $30's. A seriously great deal. But is their tonality that different from Sasha's? If so, then I need to check them out.

My Transparent Ref are MM2. I know they make even better cables, but they get very pricey and cable upgrades aren't in the budget right now. Maybe next year.

Thanks,

Dave
 
Hi Dave,
Welcome. You might think about coming up for the AXPONA show here, April 15-17. I'll be showing in room 554 if you care to stop by. Please introduce yourself, as I may be able to make some suggestions and people to visit.
 
I went from Sophia mk 2 > Sashas mk 1 > S5 mk 1 (and now Magico S5 mk 2).

The S5 mk 1 sound much smoother on top and have a much more articulate bass. The Sashas were a bit more lively though.

With the introduction of the S5 mk 2 used prices of the S5 mk 1 had dropped significantly, which makes them a relative bargain right now.
 
Thanks Brian. Yes, I have been considering making the drive up to Chicago. If I do, I will stop by and talk with you.

Dave
 
Hi Adam,

Thanks for the suggestion of the S5. Both you and Madfloyd have gone the same direction from Sashas to S5.

Have you heard the S5 mk2? If so, how would you describe the difference from the S5?

Thanks,

Dave
 
daveneumann said:
Hi Adam,

Thanks for the suggestion of the S5. Both you and Madfloyd have gone the same direction from Sashas to S5.

Have you heard the S5 mk2? If so, how would you describe the difference from the S5?

Thanks,

Dave
Click to expand...

The first pairs of s5mk2 just rolled out the door from Magico last week, so I doubt too many people have heard them yet. Everyone that heard the s1mk2 at CES raves about the sound. Mike has a pair and I'm sure he'll chime in here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
daveneumann said:
Hi jfrech,

I see those great deals on Max 3, brand new for low $30's. A seriously great deal. But is their tonality that different from Sasha's? If so, then I need to check them out.

My Transparent Ref are MM2. I know they make even better cables, but they get very pricey and cable upgrades aren't in the budget right now. Maybe next year.

Thanks,

Dave
Click to expand...

The Maxx3's are different. Not huge. First, the bass is just better. More weight. More extended, more effortless. A lot more power. 2nd they do height in a different (and better way). Actually I'd describe the whole speaker as having more weight on the notes and more effortless everywhere. Tonally, it's more fun to listen to. The other thing I noticed from the WP8 to Maxx3 was the Maxx was more quiet...so dynamics seem to jump out quicker out from the darkness...maybe this is the more fun part...

Anyway, lots of good options, this is one to consider. I'd also go listen Rockport...my current speaker.
 
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