300 wpc stereo amp suggestions?
I caved in to my audioholic addiction and have a pair of L150s at Orange County Speaker for refoam and check up. In looking around on this site and others, I see that JBL recommended continuous 300 wpc for these speakers, but on this site read that some folks with excellent gear are happy with 160 wpc. I can run the L150s with either a McIntosh MC-2120 at 120 wpc or a McIntosh MC-2205 at 200 wpc. Still, I am wondering: is the McIntosh MC-7300 at 300 wpc better sonically than the MC2300 at 300 wpc? The MC-7300 has Power Guard whereas the MC-2300 appears to not have it which is a concern because I do not care to blow out the speakers. JBL claims in their ad brochure that the speakers perform at their best at 300 watts continuous sine wave per channel... (JBL ad, p4, circa 1979).
At any rate, any suggestions for a good 300 wpc stereo amplifier and cost? Thoughts on this? Thanks!
L150's will be picked up on Friday!
Tuesday afternoon, Orange County Speaker called me with the news that the L150's are ready for pick up. The re-foam and some minor work is done. Speakers test ok and sound "good". I'll take off work early this Friday and am looking forward to hearing them! :)
The L150's will rock you!
Friday, I took off work early to pick up the L150’s from Orange County Speaker and began listening that evening. I like ‘em! Initially, a tweeter was sounding scratchy when the pair of speakers was first fired up with the McIntosh MC-2205, but a few minutes later the problem went away and remains okay. The MC-2205 delivers enough power for the speakers. Thanks again for the advice. The speakers have good clarity and when the bass kicks in – it really kicks in! During the first twenty seconds of 2001: A Space Odyssey, track 8, Also Sprach Zarathustra, I was in the other room and it seemed like the house shook. I tend to favor my 4412’s sonically and with imaging, but the L150’s are likely too big for my living area. Of course, these are minor matters. LOL! All music sounds great: classic rock (FM stereo broadcasts using a McIntosh MR-77 tuner, and listened to Pink Floyd Animals CD), classical (KUSC and an opera CD), jazz and classic popular tunes. I’ll have to look into buying some organ music CDs with deep bass for fun. ORCO Spkr did a great job with the woofers and passive-radiators foam surrounds. They tell me that all components test okay, “sounds good” and they like the cabinets. I’m looking forward to hearing the speakers after burn in, but gotta say that they already sound great. When the guy at ORCO Spkr loaded my minivan he said, “take ‘em home and blast them!” LMAO! Goodness! Indeed, the L150’s most certainly are capable of loud volumes for classic rock because they will rock you! Everyone’s input is appreciated. I love old JBLs!!!