misterharrison
06-05-2011, 08:34 AM
Rather than continue over in the other thread (http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?31074-Spend-how-much-on-(used)-modern-speakers-to-upgrade-from-JBL-L65As) about upgrading from L65s, I thought I would start a new thread about amplification.
Basically, I've been running my L65As for a while with a Bryston 2B-SST and over time I've become increasingly dissatisfied with the sound. The 077s were sounding over-bright inducing definite listener fatigue and the bass was only sounding good at higher volumes. Endless tweaking of the presence/brilliance controls as well as speaker placement failed to solve the problem. Foolishly I assumed it couldn't possibly be the Bryston's fault and so started that thread about changing the speakers.
Then, on a whim, I decided to try my old B&K ST-140 (http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/675) which had been relegated to the cupboard as soon as the Bryston arrived. It's a 110V unit that I brought back with me from abroad so it has to be used with a 110-220V transformer, and even then it runs with a bit of transformer hum. However putting it back into the system has been a revelation. The over-bright highs have gone and the L65s are sounding warm and full at low volumes. I'm actually listening to music late at night again, something I've really been missing. This may be because it's a Mosfet amp that runs in class A for the first few watts (I think). On the other hand, I've lost a bit of detail, it runs very hot which might be a problem here in Lisbon as the summer heats up, and there's something dissatisfying about having to run it with an external voltage transformer (hum notwithstanding).
So now I'm pretty sure I'm going to move the Bryston on, the proceeds from which I can put into a new amp that at least works at the right voltage! And while I am enjoying the B&K at the moment, I'm thinking I should be able to find something with the same sound signature but more resolution. (The B&K design is 20 years old now and only costs about $300 on the used market these days.)
This is where the Perreaux comes in. In the other thread, Rolf recommended Perreaux amps - something about Mosfets with JBL working well. Having never heard of them, a quick look on the internet brought up a Perreaux 200P (http://www.nzmadeaudio.co.nz/200_Fact_Sheet.pdf) for sale right here in Lisbon. Was this fate? I have contacted the seller and I am awaiting a response.
In the meantime, I would like to ask here if anyone has any experience of this particular amp? In particular I am interested in Regis' opinion, as he seems to have used a Perreaux 200P with L300s (http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?9621-New-setup-up-and-running...). I'm guessing I would get similar results with L65s, just on a smaller scale?
I am also interested in any other suggestions for amps that will provide what I'm looking for, i.e.
1. Tame the brightness of the 077 tweeter.
2. Keep a grip on the 12" bass driver.
3. Sound good at low volumes.
4. Not run too hot due to high summer temps here in Lisbon.
Thanks!
Basically, I've been running my L65As for a while with a Bryston 2B-SST and over time I've become increasingly dissatisfied with the sound. The 077s were sounding over-bright inducing definite listener fatigue and the bass was only sounding good at higher volumes. Endless tweaking of the presence/brilliance controls as well as speaker placement failed to solve the problem. Foolishly I assumed it couldn't possibly be the Bryston's fault and so started that thread about changing the speakers.
Then, on a whim, I decided to try my old B&K ST-140 (http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/675) which had been relegated to the cupboard as soon as the Bryston arrived. It's a 110V unit that I brought back with me from abroad so it has to be used with a 110-220V transformer, and even then it runs with a bit of transformer hum. However putting it back into the system has been a revelation. The over-bright highs have gone and the L65s are sounding warm and full at low volumes. I'm actually listening to music late at night again, something I've really been missing. This may be because it's a Mosfet amp that runs in class A for the first few watts (I think). On the other hand, I've lost a bit of detail, it runs very hot which might be a problem here in Lisbon as the summer heats up, and there's something dissatisfying about having to run it with an external voltage transformer (hum notwithstanding).
So now I'm pretty sure I'm going to move the Bryston on, the proceeds from which I can put into a new amp that at least works at the right voltage! And while I am enjoying the B&K at the moment, I'm thinking I should be able to find something with the same sound signature but more resolution. (The B&K design is 20 years old now and only costs about $300 on the used market these days.)
This is where the Perreaux comes in. In the other thread, Rolf recommended Perreaux amps - something about Mosfets with JBL working well. Having never heard of them, a quick look on the internet brought up a Perreaux 200P (http://www.nzmadeaudio.co.nz/200_Fact_Sheet.pdf) for sale right here in Lisbon. Was this fate? I have contacted the seller and I am awaiting a response.
In the meantime, I would like to ask here if anyone has any experience of this particular amp? In particular I am interested in Regis' opinion, as he seems to have used a Perreaux 200P with L300s (http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?9621-New-setup-up-and-running...). I'm guessing I would get similar results with L65s, just on a smaller scale?
I am also interested in any other suggestions for amps that will provide what I'm looking for, i.e.
1. Tame the brightness of the 077 tweeter.
2. Keep a grip on the 12" bass driver.
3. Sound good at low volumes.
4. Not run too hot due to high summer temps here in Lisbon.
Thanks!