Best inexpensive integrated for PSB Gold speakers.

...and you wouldn't catch me trying to power these boys with something under 100watts. My current SS amp is an EAD PowerMaster 2000, which dynamically steers power to the necessary channels. So, according to the manual, I'm delivering 2x3500 watts into the 4ohm speakers. They sound pretty good. Not GREAT, but in terms of price:performance, you'd be pretty impressed.

Before this, I've tried an Adcom 350x2 watt amp (cant remember the name), a 5x125watt multichannel amp i borrowed for a while (cant remember the name), a Denon AVR3600 and another Sony receiver. I've also heard the Golds through Brystons, Parasounds, and other EAD amps. In all cases, the speakers would not open up. Period. The Golds demand high levels of power, and really, really are not suitable for integrated or SS amps with power ratings below 150/channel. Even then, these guys need tons of power to really shine.

If you're interested in tubes, I'd suggest you first purchase a pair of speakers that can support both your tube and SS needs.

This is a great discussion! I am quite surprised that several people have chimed in that the Golds don't really open up until you mate them with massive amounts of power. I don't know the speaker well, but I'm very curious about this phenomenon. What exactly changes when you go to big power? I'm driving my Proac 2.5's w/ 150 watts/side, and I wonder if I would hear the same magic you describe for the Golds if I upped the power ante with the Proacs. --Dan

I want to thank everyone for their comments this has been very helpful and I am definetly in the market for more power. I am also going to try and understand the difference between bridging and biamping. That may be a short term solution. For the record I was in a high end store yesterday looking for alternatives and while I was there they recieved a call from one of their reps who brought up the whole current and impedence issue -- the rep said this is currently the hot topic among everyone in the industry. Again, you all have been very informative and I appreciate your all's time. Thanks, Dan.

There is a great discussion about biamping at Sound.au.com which is Rod Elliot's site (click on the audio articles link). Bi-amping is far supperior to bridging, period. To my knowledge the "current/impedence issue" is hardly a hot topic. It's been fundamental for years. If a rep thinks it's "hot" then he's not.

Sincerely, I remain