Speaker impedance for dummies

[Neuphonix]

Mighty impressive test results there, Cno.

My local dealer says the AMS35is should arrive later this week. Early June I have demos of a Primare pre/power and Devialet. But realistically I think only the MF is now likely to stop me joining Mac in the Accuphase club.

(Apologies to the OP for taking the thread off topic.)

Your place is already reserved. :shifty:

Now that I found a dealer nearby, who stocks the 35i, you should really stop recommending it! The temptation becomes too tangible! :hand:

Like that's ever going to happen!!! :rofl:

Just give in to the dark side of the force, you know you want too!!! >)

 

[CnoEvil]

Like that's ever going to happen!!! :rofl:

Just give in to the dark side of the force, you know you want too!!! >)

I'll cut you in for 10%......(20% if it results in a sale)........Oh!................ :silenced:

 

[Macspur]

I'm saying nothing... just let the amps do the talking!

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

my suggestions are Accuphase (class A or more powerful AB), Musical Fidelity (class A), Audia Flight (class A power amps), AM Audio (class A integrated and power amps) and of course Krell.

Oldric, thanks as ever for your informed comments. I'm interested that you say "of course Krell". Based only on one demo of the new Krell S-550i, the Krell sound seems a long way away from, say, Accuphase. I got a harshness from the Krell that said "class AB" to me. But that was just one demo, of course.

Matt

that's because I wasn't recommending based on SQ. I was only recommending based on amp's ability to drive 2 Ohm loads. I could never recommend any of the amps listed in my post above based on SQ as I never heard them. I'm more concerned with performance and design philosophy of audio gear because I believe that's where foundations for good sound lie. Krell will definitely be solid rock driving 2 Ohms but I have suspicions you could find more refined sounding amps as your experiment with Krell and Accu would suggest. suffice to say Krell wouldn't be my first pick for the amp upgrade.

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

Thanks for your elaborate complements, Oldric.

no problem.

So, should I go Quad, I'll have some more searching to do... (might end up in Cno's club after all...)

this is a fine amp and you might just get away with its low power bearing in mind ESLs low efficiencies. but only just. I'd feel more secure having something more powerful. 50 W class A being a minimum (50 W class A should easily output double RMS power into short bursts, which is more important for music replay, so you get a 100W amp for music replay use).

Ever looked into the Sanders ESL amp, Oldric? Any thoughts welcome!

not too close. need to take a closer look. the guy reveals a lot of technical details on the design. might be worthwhile to investigate. hate the design though.

First (and IMO by far most important) step however will be convincing the wife we need these black monoliths in our living room. Talking of a challenge! All tips wholeheartedly appreciated.

before I bought my Magnepans I though all planars look ugly. who would like to exchange normal speakers which look like a piece of fine furniture for some plain slabs of fabric. now that I had those speakers for quite a while I must say I changed my mind completely. those slabs, albeit off-white, look quite classy in situ. and no one visiting me ever complained they look ugly. rather they attract interest.

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

So, should I go Quad

don't forget Pio Sound. I'd try both before commiting to buy.

 

[DocG]

before I bought my Magnepans I though all planars look ugly. who would like to exchange normal speakers which look like a piece of fine furniture for some plain slabs of fabric. now that I had those speakers for quite a while I must say I changed my mind completely. those slabs, albeit off-white, look quite classy in situ. and no one visiting me ever complained they look ugly. rather they attract interest.

I'm also looking for "gunned MMGs" meanwhile. I think they might be a fine alternative - very classy with the real wood frame work - but they're a leap of faith, buying blind. PG doesn't ship outside the US either, so still working out how (and at what cost) to get them here in good condition. I put myself on his (non-binding) waiting list already, cos he seems quite popular, suggesting a +/- 1 year wait for now.

And then there's the Avantgarde horns...

 

[hoopsontoast]

before I bought my Magnepans I though all planars look ugly. who would like to exchange normal speakers which look like a piece of fine furniture for some plain slabs of fabric. now that I had those speakers for quite a while I must say I changed my mind completely. those slabs, albeit off-white, look quite classy in situ. and no one visiting me ever complained they look ugly. rather they attract interest.

I'm also looking for "gunned MMGs" meanwhile. I think they might be a fine alternative - very classy with the real wood frame work - but they're a leap of faith, buying blind. PG doesn't ship outside the US either, so still working out how (and at what cost) to get them here in good condition. I put myself on his (non-binding) waiting list already, cos he seems quite popular, suggesting a +/- 1 year wait for now.

And then there's the Avantgarde horns...

A pair of MMGs direct from Magnepan would be around £740 including Tax, VAT and Shipping as of the start of the year. Thats how much I was quoted and worked out for them when I was looking at importing a pair. I managed to find a pair BNIB for a reasonable amount less in a private sale.
For that sort of money, a S/H pair of MG12s would be better value. I have seen various Ex-Demo MG12s go for under £1k.
The packaging is perfectly good that they come in, and they are quite robust units.

I found Mangepan very helpfull when getting a quote, called them over Skype which helped.

 

[DocG]

before I bought my Magnepans I though all planars look ugly. who would like to exchange normal speakers which look like a piece of fine furniture for some plain slabs of fabric. now that I had those speakers for quite a while I must say I changed my mind completely. those slabs, albeit off-white, look quite classy in situ. and no one visiting me ever complained they look ugly. rather they attract interest.

I'm also looking for "gunned MMGs" meanwhile. I think they might be a fine alternative - very classy with the real wood frame work - but they're a leap of faith, buying blind. PG doesn't ship outside the US either, so still working out how (and at what cost) to get them here in good condition. I put myself on his (non-binding) waiting list already, cos he seems quite popular, suggesting a +/- 1 year wait for now.

And then there's the Avantgarde horns...

A pair of MMGs direct from Magnepan would be around £740 including Tax, VAT and Shipping as of the start of the year. Thats how much I was quoted and worked out for them when I was looking at importing a pair. I managed to find a pair BNIB for a reasonable amount less in a private sale.
For that sort of money, a S/H pair of MG12s would be better value. I have seen various Ex-Demo MG12s go for under £1k.
The packaging is perfectly good that they come in, and they are quite robust units.

I found Mangepan very helpfull when getting a quote, called them over Skype which helped.

Hi Hoops,

I guess you're right, but I'm talking of modified Maggies (the 'Peter Gunn' mod), which Oldric pointed me to. They should be far superior to the stock Maggies, but the mod is rather expensive too. It brings the price for a pair of MMGs up from 600 to some 3000$, but for that money everything is upgraded except the transducers. Shipping probably adds a couple of hundred $, but I didn't find out yet if (Belgian) taxes would be levied on the stock speakers, or also on the modification... And then of course there is the issue of buying without auditioning... And what happens in case of a technical problem...

Must you also pay tax and VAT in a private sale? If not, that could be a way around the customs office (avoiding taxes is a national sport in Belgium )

 

[CnoEvil]

.. And then of course there is the issue of buying without auditioning... And what happens in case of a technical problem...

I can see why you're so tempted but understand your dilemma......and if you do take the plunge, I really wish you the best of luck (you would probably need to get the speakers first, and then the amp to suit them).