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Wilson Audio of Provo, Utah, is executing a multiyear revision of their product line, resulting mostly in a series of "remastered" redesigns that carry in their names the designation "V." The latest V model is the Sabrina V, which replaces the prior SabrinaX. "V" refers to Wilson's proprietary V-Material first used in the Chronosonic XVX. This is the third iteration of the Sabrina series. Other current Wilsons designated V are the Alexx V, the Alexia V, and the Sasha V. The Chronosonic XVX uses the V-Material but precedes the "V" revisions; the 50th anniversary WATT/Puppy also uses the V-…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I performed a complete set of measurements on one of the two Goldmund Telos 2800 monoblocks sharing serial number T2_LN000023 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. I preconditioned the amplifier by operating it at 1/8 power into 8 ohms for 20 minutes. At the end of that time, the top panel's temperature was 89.8°F/32.1°C. The temperature of the hottest section of the heatsink on the rear panel was 108.9°F/42.8°C.
The amplifier preserved absolute polarity, ie, was noninverting, with both the single-ended and balanced inputs. (The XLR jack is wired with pin…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid state mono power amplifier. Output power (IEC60065): 300W into 8 ohms (24.77dBW), 530W into 4 ohms (24.23dBW) at 1% THD. Damping factor: 600 at 1kHz assuming an 8 ohm load. THD+N, unloaded: <0.05%, 20Hz–20kHz at 30V output. Intermodulation distortion (SMPTE), unloaded: <0.05% noisefloor, analog input terminated with RCA shorting caps, unloaded: <3µV, 20Hz–20kHz. Gain: 35dB. Max input level before clipping: Analog input: 1V; digital input: –6dBFS. Max output level before clipping, 1% THD, unloaded: 170V peak–peak. Dynamic range, 22kHz…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way bass-reflex floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive units: 1" (25.4mm) Convergent Synergy Carbon doped silk fabric-dome tweeter in sealed carbon-fiber enclosure, one 7" (178mm) QuadraMag paper pulp composite cone midrange unit in rear-slotted enclosure, one 8" (203mm) paper pulp composite cone woofer in rear-ported X-, V-, & H-Materials enclosure. Frequency response: 27Hz–24kHz, ±3dB average response in-room. Sensitivity: 87dB/W/1m @ 1kHz. Impedance: 4 ohms nominal, 2.23 ohms minimum @ 121Hz. Minimum recommended amplifier power: 50Wpc.
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: SME Model 35 turntable; Ortofon Verismo, Lyra Etna λ Lambda phono cartridges.
Digital sources: Innuos ZENith Next-Gen server-streamer, CH Precision C1.2 D/A processor.
Preamplifiers: Pass Laboratories XP-32 (line); Pass Laboratories XP-27 phono.
Power amplifiers: Pass Laboratories XA60.8 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx V; Marten Mingus Septet.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Carbon, Cinnamon, & Coffee USB; CAD USB; Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 Ethernet. Interconnect: Jorma Statement, AudioQuest…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: VPI HW-40 turntable, VPI 12" Fatboy tonearm, Pro-Ject Classic EVO turntable, Lyra Etna λ Lambda, Ortofon Bronze Cadenza cartridge, Sumiko Amethyst cartridge.
Digital sources: MacBook Air running Tidal, Roon, Qobuz. Bricasti M21 DAC, Musical Fidelity M1 CDT and Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T transports.
Preamplifier: McIntosh C12000.
Power amplifiers: McIntosh MC462 stereo.
Integrated amplifier: McIntosh MA252.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties The WATT/Puppy, Harbeth P3ESR.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Diamond AES, Coffee…
Sidebar 3: Associated Equipment
Vinyl playback: Technics SL-1200mkV with KAB 3-speed mod, fluid damping and tonearm wiring; Ortofon 2M Blue, Audio-Technica AT-VM95E, Hana SL MKII cartridges.
Phono preamplifier: Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2.
Preamplifier: Benchmark LA-4.
Power amplifier: Benchmark AHB2.
Loudspeakers: Bowers & Wilkins 808.
Accessories: Butcherblock Acoustics equipment rack, SME turntable cable, various cables and connectors made by Belden, Canare, Mogami, Switchcraft, ITT Cannon, Neutrik, etc.—Tom Fine
The technical evolution of the Sabrina V over its forebear, the SabrinaX, can be gleaned by comparing a few key performance indicators. For example, the newcomer still achieves a higher sensitivity than the 87dB specification at 88.9dB despite being slightly less sensitive than the 'X (89.6dB, all ref. 1kHz/2.83V/1m). Also, the V's response is slightly less uniform than its predecessor's (see fig.2) with errors of ±3.80dB/±3.90dB (L/R) versus ±2.85dB/±2.90dB for the 'X (both 200Hz– 20kHz), and it's also a little tougher to drive. However, all this is traded for lower distortion and…
Sidebar 5: Phono Stage Measurements
Out of the box, the T+A Symphonia streaming integrated amplifier Rogier van Bakel reviewed in the November 2025 issue has two pairs of single-ended analog line inputs. The second pair can be used as a moving magnet–compatible phono input by selecting an internal phono module with the front-panel Menu buttons.
As RvB is a digital-only guy, he wasn't able to audition the Symphonia's phono stage, but before I shipped the amplifier to Tom Fine for a phono audition, I performed a complete set of measurements on the phono input with my Audio Precision…
A January 2026 Follow-Up
Rogier van Bakel reviewed the T+A Symphonia ($10,990) in last November's issue, covering its aesthetics, streaming capabilities, and sound qualities through speakers and headphones. Editor Jim Austin asked me to spend some time with it, focusing on the Symphonia's analog capabilities, including its built-in phono preamplifier.
Unpacking the Symphonia invoked flashbacks to the larger, similarly versatile T+A R 2500 R, which I reviewed in 2024. The Symphonia's visual aesthetic is quite different from that of the R 2500 R, yet its front-panel…