Question Mission 753 Amp Suggestions

[Micholas]

New member here. I was recently gifted a mint set of Mission 753’s, with boxes, spikes etc. I loved audio separates back in the late 90’s as a teenager so wanted to use this opportunity to create a respectable budget set up.

I read that the Pioneer A400 was a good companion for these speakers, so I waited months for a very nice, serviced example to come up for sale. Next was the CD player. I was really indecisive about this, retro? New? So in the end I settled for a new Marantz CD6007.. (which incidentally is giving me nothing but trouble misreading discs etc, but that’s for another thread). Anyway after acquiring all these units I was so excited to set them up and hear them in all their glory! However it was all a bit of an anticlimax.

Although the clarity of sound is fantastic, it’s missing depth, low end, bass. I’m really not a bass junkie, but I do like some depth and soul to my music.. and this is lacking. I put on a couple of more bassier tracks just to see how it would respond, and it’s quite timid. Now, it’s a shot in the dark, but from reading online a few people have mentioned this about the A400. All of the units are new to me, so it’s guess work who the culprit is.

Has anyone had experience with this amp? Can anyone recommend an amp that would do the speakers justice without spending a grand etc. it’s just a new hobby for me, and not a life style.

Any help appreciated?

 

[davidf]

They like power. At the time, the Audiolab 8000C/8000P pre/power worked well with them.

 

[Messiah]

Are you able to advise on room size and where the speakers are placed - e.g, in a corner, how far from side walls etc.

Are you able to advise on how they are wired up? Are you able to add pictures?

 

[matthewpianist]

I have been a bit of an A400 fanboy in the past, but more recent revisits have left me wondering why. In the cold light of day, it really isn't that special.

NAD amplification works very well with Mission 75-series speakers, and delivers the kind of current they appreciate, so worth looking in that direction. A C352 or C355BEE would be a good option. Don't go with their current hypex-based amps (everything except the entry-level C316BEE V2), which are a bit grey sounding and won't suit the Missions. Old-school Audiolab, as mentioned, is also well worth a look.

 

[Jasonovich]

Hi Micholas welcome to the forum.
I would suggest looking out for a good second hand amp on eBay.
You'll likely to find an Audiolab or Cambridge integrated that's suits your budget.

 

[RoA]

Using 752’s which are not bass shy so I’m surprised about your findings on the 753.

However, there are a multitude of possible reasons yours come over like that. The amplifier and CD player are two. Cheap components (usually) don’t excel in reproducing good bass. Your room and seating position may contribute too. Are you sitting in a Null/bass light zone? Finally, your speakers (and amplifier)are old. Crossover components may have deteriorated, drivers may have come loose over time. The amp is probably well out of spec too by now and needs biasing/servicing.

Much to consider. Start with the free/no cost stuff and go from there.

Report back if you can.

 

[davidf]

The 753s were never really a bassy speaker to begin with. Specs show 45Hz at -3dB, which is roughly equivalent to an average large standmount. The two upper mid/bass drivers act within a sealed cabinet, and the lower two are ported, but cover from 200Hz downwards. The design doesn't really shift a lot of air, but it was fast and agile.

You can probably warm them up a bit, but you'll not really be able to extend their bass response. A good quality amp will help bring some bass out a little, but it'll always be limited.

 

[Micholas]

Apologies everyone for the delayed replies. So this morning I stumbled upon a vintage stereo shop. With a whole host of units I could test I ended up taking home an Audiolab 8000a, and I can confirm after getting home and plugging it in, it’s like a completely different system! Such great sound with a lot of depth. I know the 753’s can handle more power, so I could in the future go down the pre-amp route as well.. but as it stands I am very happy with this set up! It’s amazing that for all the glowing reviews I really did not rate the Pioneer A400 at all.

 

[Al ears]

Apologies everyone for the delayed replies. So this morning I stumbled upon a vintage stereo shop. With a whole host of units I could test I ended up taking home an Audiolab 8000a, and I can confirm after getting home and plugging it in, it’s like a completely different system! Such great sound with a lot of depth. I know the 753’s can handle more power, so I could in the future go down the pre-amp route as well.. but as it stands I am very happy with this set up! It’s amazing that for all the glowing reviews I really did not rate the Pioneer A400 at all.

I always did say, back in the day, that the A300R was better.
I owned both for a short period of time.....
The A400 went to my brother who was desperate for any amp and the A300R was eventually converted to a stereo power amp by Tom Evans Audio to use with his Vibe preamp until my Linear A power amp was built....
Happy days until lack of work forced me to sell it all.