Replacing amp with SL3

[Freejon]

Hi,

I have had my SL3s for about 10 years now, so not from new. I love the sound, but have never been quite happy with the bass.

I believe that this is because of slight inadequacy in my Radford STA50 valve amp. Lovely device, but I think under-powered for resolving low end. I have considered whether an AR (e.g VS115) replacement might solve the problem, but don't think I can go there, mainly for cost reasons and also because I don't feel I want to spend any more of my life dealing with tube replacements.

That means looking at a solid state amp. I have read as much recommended amp info on this forum (one link from the sticky goes 404) as I can. I get the instruction for something which handles multiple impedances well and has high current. I don't feel that I know enough yet. I am reliant on used equipment so limited possibilities for auditioning options. Budget is limited (up to perhaps $1000 / £800). I do like tube sound, so would like something that would not be too clinical.

I am open to integrated or power amps - looking mainly at the latter. That way I leave the option of changing the pre-amp, where a tube replacement for my existing TAG MacLaren might be an option for keeping the liquidity of the sound. So I am interested to know what others might consider suitable for this task. Under consideration, Quad 909 or QSP, Audiolab 8200M, Older Krell (e.g. 300) if I can find anything within budget.

I am in the UK, so not all of the US brands are readily available. Any easy ways of seeing which are high current designs (as I believe the Quad amps are)?

Thanks for reading. All help much appreciated.

Jon

 

[Tosh]

You could passively bi-amp your SL3's.

 

[Freejon]

You could passively bi-amp your SL3's.

Thanks,Tosh, but I am not sure what you mean by this. I assume this is different than bi-wire, so requires a second amplifier. I don't understand how I balance the feeds.

If it requires getting a second identical Radford, that would be impossible and too costly. If you are suggesting two smaller amps then I would still be interested in which are seen as suitable models.

Can you explain more please?

Otherwise I think I would rather try a single amp that does the job better.

Jon

 

[Tosh]

Rod Elliot covers bi-amping pretty well, as he does with everything electrical:
http://sound.whsites.net/bi-amp.htm

 

[Spike]

Here's what I've done with my system.
Link to old drawing of Spike's system

 

[MickyP]

Hi

Not sure of the answer but was seriously unimpressed with the 909s. Currently I'm using a MF M6 integrated with SL3s and it drives them well. As a general observation MF gear is quite a good bang for the buck, so may be worth a dabble. You'll always get your money back.

Edit to add. I've degraded my interconnect cable to lose some of the bass warmth. The woofers are the ML recommended Scanspeak replacements, incidentally.