Budget amp for Dahlquist DQ-10's

I used to own a pair, you are on the right track. Wimp amps need not apply with those speakers.

Dave

These are very good speakers with an airy midrange. They're only "dated" in their need for lots of power (mainly to move bass driver). So, I second and third the comments above

Thanks guys/gals for the support and suggestions. I guess one of my worries is that the McCormack DNA-1 with 180 wpc might not be enough. I've heard these things like 200 wpc as a minimum. I know I should be worried about current output but am I going to regret not buying something bigger? I guess I can always buy another and run as monoblocks when I get more cash.

When I had DQ-10s, I drove them with a Threshold 400A which is 100 watts/channel with plenty of current. It was more than enough power. The McCormack will probably be fine.

i have a pair of the alon II's. a cousin to the dq10's ( they are pigs when it comes to power requirement- to say they like current is a understatment)

i would not go any less than 200 wpc with a high quality design.the aragon should do fine but alot will depend on how much you want to spend.

they can get buy on a quality 100 wpc but really they really open up and breath with 200 wpc. the sound is very effortless and organic.

here are some options:

muse 160 stereo mk II($600- $625 used) and add another( the muse has a very nice top end that is a good match for the dq10's)and that would put you at $1200-$1300 for 2 near state of the art amps.

or

2 muse stereo amps- $375 each or 2 pse studio IV stereo amps($325 each) - $ 700 - $750 for 2 stereo amps

or

4 pse studio v mono blocks - $500 - $600 pair - $1000 - $1100 for $5000 (retail) of very quality amps (this is the route i went). the pse's studio V monos are very hard to come by.

the lower price pse studio V and muse 100 are very good amps( $1k range new ) but lack the last bit of sonic refinment when compared to their more $$ counter parts. the muse 160 mk ii was a $2k amp and the pse studio V are a $2500 pair amps

you do have some choices - the speakers will sound very good if you have a tube pre in the system.

hope that helps,

mike