Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Finleyville on August 10, 2013, 10:25:02 PM
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Anyway...
I recently completed a set of DIY speakers (thread http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?41130-The-trials-and-triumphs-of-a-Finalist-build (http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?41130-The-trials-and-triumphs-of-a-Finalist-build)) that, for the first time, I feel need separate amplification. They are still over a friend's house being broken in and fed some Rotel goodness. From experimentation it seems that these are somewhat inefficient and LOVE moar power. I would say 100W would be the are minimum. I understand (not heard by me) that they loved a modified Rotel RB1090 pushing 384W.
The last time I heard them they needed to be broken in. But it was apparent that they needed some upper end sparkle help. Hopefully, the break in period will help this. However, I still think a brighter sounding amp will help in this regard. So.....no tube amp recommendations this time. lol
So, if you had $500 what would you buy (used is fine by me) for this setup? I didn't really want to go higher but will entertain "must have" recommendations up to $700.
I was thinking about Rotel, Emotiva, Carver, etc. What do you all think?
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Nice build. Are you limiting yourself to strictly "home" amplification? I wonder what a Crown D series PA amp would sound like pushing those. Crown amps are known for high end and lots of headroom.
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Very nice project ! Impressive skill set. Me...I would tweak the crossover
before buying a new amp (especially a non neutral sounding amp).
How about an EQ? Now sure how you feel about them. Used properly I have no
objections to them.
Seems counter intuitive to look for an amp that is deliberately non-neutral sounding.
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Off of the top of my head, the Adcom GFA-555, any of the Phase Linear stuff, Onkyo Integra M-504 / 508 are a few that come to mind.
How sensitive are those speakers? As the DIY type, you can always get a KT-88 or KT-120 tube amp and modify it to sound as you please. :)
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Emotiva XPA-2 is in your price range and is rated 250 WPC.
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Thank you for the suggestions! Please keep them coming.
I, too, was thinking of the Adcom 555/5500 series or the Emotiva XPA2. I just didn't know what else was out there that I could use.
Tom did mention those some Dynaco tube amps. Are those KT's by them also? I am completely clueless when it comes to tubes.
I was also kicking around the idea of building a SS amp myself. I have no idea what kits are out there.
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I have a Yamaha MX-800U that is in mint condition for sale if you are interested. It's rated 8 ohm power is 170 watts with 2 db's of headroom. PM me if interested.
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Check the Ohio Craigslists. I remember seeing a set of Dynaco ST-70s on there recently for a fair price. They use KT-88s. You can tweak their sound signature by swapping out a few caps and a few resistors. I'm still extremely green at modding tube amps and I usually have more failure than I do success, but, boy is it fun. :)
I've heard that Yamaha amp that Slim-Shaddy is selling and I can say that it sounds lovely and definitely does tip the scales somewhat toward the bright side of life. It's definitely in your price range and will power almost any speakers on the planet.
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http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ele/3995124267.html (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ele/3995124267.html)
There's a GFA-555 that's got issues for sale. I'm sure you could snag it cheap and fix it up nicely.
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I find the Carver TFM 35 to be a warm sounding amp that might be what you would want. I have one that has been recently serviced if you are interested. I have compared it to Emotiva and Chiro and it seems to best fit your needs. I have a nodded Chiro C-200 that has a very clear and accurate sound but not as warm as the Carver.
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I find the Carver TFM 35 to be a warm sounding amp that might be what you would want.
As in just the opposite of what the OP is looking for.
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Does your preamp have tone controls, or if a receiver, does it have pre-amp outs?
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I find the Carver TFM 35 to be a warm sounding amp that might be what you would want.
As in just the opposite of what the OP is looking for.
They do things a lil' backerds down in West Virginia...
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Greetings Finleyville!
Very nice speakers that you built. If these speakers are not very efficient, I recommend that you stay away from tube amps and stick with solid state. Inefficient speakers can sound very good and articulate well but the need a lot of power. I am very familiar with the Dynaco ST-70 and it is not what you want.
If you have a preamp, MacGeek has some good suggestions.
Whatever you do, try to demo an amp in YOUR system before taking the plunge and buying something. The amp must sound good to you with your speakers in your listening space. Otherwise, you will spend a lot of money chasing the sound you desire.
Good luck!
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Carl is right. My ST-70 suggestion may have been misleading not knowing the efficiency of your speakers.
I'll tell you what... If you're relatively close to me in Belle Vernon, I can bring my Onkyo Integra M-504 over to your place one night for an evening.
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My bad! I just glanced over it too fast. I know someone selling an Emotiva that might fit the bill. I will tell him to look at the forum. Avoid the Carver if you want bright! :laugh:
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Beautiful speakers. Thank you for sharing and welcome to the forum.
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Thank you for your kind words and your suggestions.
The older Denon receiver does have preouts so that will not be a problem. If I decide to use these in my HT then my Marantz definitely has them.
That was a very nice offer SunnyDaze. I currently do not have the speaker right now because I don't have the room. They are over a friend's house break in for awhile until I can figure out where to put these things.
I am keeping my eye on used Adcom 555/5500 and Emotiva XPA2's right now. Since I am not in a hurry to buy right now I have time to sit back and look for a good deal.
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Welcome! There is a used, in need of service Adcom on CL I saw this morning. Unfortunately, I didn't copy the link. Tom can probably fix the amp and as I recall, the price was low.
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Yes, I have an Emotiva XPA-2 I'm selling. I think it would fit the bill quite well. 300x2 @ 8ohm, 500x2 @4. It's a pretty bright sounding amp. It's in mint shape with the original box and I'm pretty sure i have a set of the black trim pieces that haven't been used. Let me know
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Due to actually reading what you are trying to find I might have an amp well worth your consideration. The Chiro C-200 that I own is very similar in sound to the Emotiva and was modded by Tom. It runs 140 at 8 ohms Class A and 280 at 4 ohms. I highly encourage you to ask Tom about this amp and get his opinion. I find it to be one of the cleanest solid state amps I have heard. If your heart is set on the Emotiva, Shayne is who I said owned one and it has been kept minty. Great guy for doing business!
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That was a very nice offer SunnyDaze. I currently do not have the speaker right now because I don't have the room. They are over a friend's house break in for awhile until I can figure out where to put these things.
Well my 504 isn't going anywhere and neither is the offer. Keep me posted. Best of luck with the search!
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Rec needed for bright sounding amp...
Emo is what you want, it'll have your ears bleeding right quick.
That said, I agree with the gentleman that suggested you tweak the crossovers, either with different values and/or different caps before buying a bright amp, which IMO, is not a desirable thing under any circumstance.
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Changing the crossover is a valid suggestion. But I think in this case I may be running into the limitation of the tweeter. I will be able to tell more about the broken in sound when I get them back. I hope that the top end will extend a little. My speakers do not sound dark. I think I am missing that extra shimmer/sparkle that you get from planar or diamond tweets. I am probably asking too much from the equipment, but I have put a lot of effort into these and I want them to sound as good as they can possibly sound.
I am still interested in the Emotiva XPA-2 also the Adcom GFA-555 and perhaps others that I do not know about yet.
I am going to have to do some serious research on the Adcom 555. Some say the original Mk 1 is better than the Mk2 and vice versa. I think I will start a new thread asking for member's experiences with these amps.
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Alrighty then...
So I am happy to be wrong for once! After a little messing around with my crossovers I have found that sparkle! These things sound ridiculously good now. Seriously.
So now I DON'T need a bright sounding amp. Just an amp. I will be closing down this thread to start another to invite all suggestions. Thank you very much for trying to help me out!