Freejon
Member
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
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