new amp for Altec Valencias
Hi!
Ive just sold my 8w 300B amp that I was using to drive a pair of valencias.
It clipped at loud volume.
Im thinking of going for an accuphase amp, and have the choice of going for something low power (like 20w p/ch - all class A), or higher power (like class A for 10w then another 150w class A/B).
Just wondered if anyone who has these speakers (or similar) could share their experiences on trying different amplifiers -
perhaps to suggest models that they thought were a good sonic match,
or to give advice on the amount of power these things really need to be powered properly.
NB
I dont really want valve amps again.
Not quite what you're looking for but.....
I've driven my Valencias - all original except for upgraded caps in the crossover.
My favorite amp is the Harmon-Kardon Citation II tube amp. This does about 60wpc. It has been upgraded with Jim McShane (the HK guru, IMHO) caps and tubes. This amp drives them quite loudly in my office system and the meters on my Mac preamp, a C2200, tells me that they're not being driven that hard either.
I've also used a Mac MC-225 with similar results. Actually, I've got 2 of them and have also driven the Valencias with them strapped for monoblock operation.
One thing to consider is that with tube gear, you'll be able to adjust the impedance to best match your Valencias. Mine are 16 ohm drivers/crossover but I've found that they do sound difference on different taps.
I've got some 100wpc Hafler DH-220s that have been extensively modded but they do not do the horns in the Valencias justice. My old tube amps seem to work best.
Cheers,
David
I have been running my 99db rated M19s
I have been running with about 250WPC (EV 7300a) with my 19s for the past few months.... dramatic improvement over the 14WPC 6BQ5 tube amp I had been running them with before.......
the 19s did sound acceptable for folk/jazz/blues on the tubes, but the bass would sound real muddy (like it couldn't keep up) when playing modern dance music..... with the EV the 19s got really fast (good transients) -- guess they just wanted more power.......