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Looking for amp advice (punk, rock & reggae edition)

My current amp isn’t doing it for me. Marantz pm6005 which is class D @45 wpc. Speakers are Focal Chorus 807V. It’s very detailed but a little clinical, my biggest gripe is a lack of midbass. According to Stereophile the impedance curve dives to 4 ohm between 100 and 200 hz which is where I think I the problem lies. All indications are that more power is needed to corrrct this which seems plausible as the more volume I give it the more it fills in in that range. The problem is that apartment living doesn’t allow 100db listening sessions.

So, I’m looking for an amplifier (separates or integrated) that has the current needed to round out the sound. The speakers are staying for many more years so replacing them isn’t a viable option, plus I love the sound.

Im interested in going tube but I have no experience with tubes. I have so many questions regarding tubes it could probably be it’s own thread but it seems to me that people love these more than SS on the whole. I’m open to any suggestions though.

My budget is $2500 (used ok but prefer new)

I listen to punk, post punk, lots of reggae (specifically dub), some electronic, a little jazz and some jangle pop (think REM).

Im looking for a warm side of neutral sound with good detail that can keep its composure with fast music yet be gentle enough for jazz. I like bass, if there’s an 808 or that dubby bass guitar, I want to hear it. These speakers do a nice job when the signal is right.

My analog front end is a PDC with a 2M Blue through a Lounge LCR MKIII. All interconnects are AQ Evergreen.

Thanks
gochurchgo
gochurchgo OP
923 posts
 
@kosst_amojen

I have to ask: while searching in the speaker forum here you commented about these speakers needing "good class a power to make them shine" and also: "
Robust solid state power is what those speakers like, especially class A power. I’m driving my 936’s with 40 watts, but the F5 will keep doubling it’s output until the outputs melt.

Might this be the position I am in? Not so much wattage but current deficit?

Also, in a few other Focal CHorus threads, people like @georgehifi and others threw out suggestions, all of which were minimum 180wpc.

Not trying to argue, just sort of trying to translate what I'm reading. :)
gochurchgo OP
923 posts
 
I am a rocker/noise guy and vouch for McCormack 225 / RLD-1 with Platinum upgrades w/ Dynaudio Contour S1.4 and a REL Stadium III. Mostly vinyl but supporting all formats


Thanks. You're running them with Focal speakers? I'm confused. I'm not buying new speakers.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@gochurchgo.

I know you say you have experimented hugely with position but here is my experience of the 807v.
I must have spent at least 6 hours moving them in tiny increments to get the best possible sq in my listening seat. This includes distance from walls, toe in and critically the upright angle. The latter may have been because I had raised them onto 2" thick maple blocks which them subsequently raised the tweeters in relation to my ears. But after carefully lowering the front adjusters on each speaker i was able to dial in a really sweet spot that really was by means of very finite 1/2" adjustments in position, yes they were that finicky to set up in my room.
However the rewards were well worth it.
That being said they were never ever driven with less than 150wpc amps with current to spare........
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
If you really want to make those Focals sing I would seriously look into a Pass INT30A but it is a bit beynd your budget (around $3500 used). I used one for awhile driving my 1008Be's before moving on to a pair of Pass xa100.5's and it is excellent. Before the Pass I used a Cary SLI-80F1 hence my recommendation and it did a fine job but not as good as the Pass.

Chuck 
gochurchgo OP
923 posts
 
@uberwaltz That being said they were never ever driven with less than 150wpc amps with current to spare........


I am currently eyeing an amp thats 150wpc but my concern is how much louder it will be like once you leave "0" on the volume haha. That company also makes a 100 or 110 watt amp thats not as sexy but probably more realistic. When I think about it though, the extra 40-50 watts its only 3db more right?

My amp: 45wpc
amp1: 100-110wpc
amp2: 150wpc

Wouldn’t amp 2 be pretty much 10db louder? If so then, when I clean house I am usually playing around 85db max. Sounds like a touch of overkill but not too bad. My speakers are rated 25-175wpc after all.
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