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Paradigm Persona 9H - hard to drive !?

December edition of the British magazine Hi-Fi News published a nice review of Paradigm Persona 9H.

They tested with Constelation solid state amps.

Relevant quotes from the review:

"Of all speakers the speakers I have encountered in decades of reviewing, the Persona 9H is right up there in the top ten, and maybe even the top five."

"From the first notes played, it was clear something very special was happening." 

"Paradigm´s Persona 9H speakers are outstanding in every respect, from the superb quality of build and finish to their scintillating sound."

All of this I already know, except the need of an amplifier of high power.

"Don´t be fooled by that modest power requirement and seemingly benign impedance: partner them with a high quality, high power amplifier, and prepare to be dazzled..."

The Lab Report concludes:

"...the 2.4 ohm minimum modulus we measured means that 9H is nominally a 3 ohm speaker."

"...and it has an EPDR which drops to a scary 1 ohm, albeit at 9.7 kHz..."

I drive my Personas 9H with a SET amp wit 25 watts with fantastic results, but after reading this I don´t know if I can achieve even better sound with a high power solid state amplifier.

Any thoughts ?


128x128nabcs
contuzzi
413 posts
 
Not sure I’ve ever seen Paradigm use the 1000w mono blocks with 9H, and if they ever did, it would have been dumb.  I think I recall them doing that very early on at one show, but they almost always run them with the STR amp and pre.

9H will turn 40 watts into a dance party.  This thread is funny.  
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,011 posts
 
I would be curious to hear what they would sound like with a pair of  Anthem 1000 watt M1 mono blocks.  They are so sleek and they do not take up much space which can be in turn pub inside a stereo cabinet to get them out of the way.

I heard the Persona 9H's at the RMAF last October and I was not sure I liked the sounded.  It might have been the room.  I did like the tweeter and mid drivers wasn't sure about the bass drivers though.  I am sure they sound much nicer in a home environment as do so many others.
mr_bill
348 posts
 
I heard the big Persona 9H with Anthem separates and it was one of the best sounds I've ever heard in high end.
nabcs's avatar
nabcs OP
55 posts
 
Here I am with a summary of Luxman M-900u sound with the Paradigm.

I didn't have much time with the Luxman amp (only Saturday afternoon), but the judgement was fast and relatively easy.

With the Luxman in the system, the sound is relaxed, but at the same time, fast and articulated. In the end the sound is very balanced and non fatiguing.

But, as good as Luxman M-900u is, to me the Aries Cerat is much better in terms of of naturalness and midrange purity.

True, the Luxman is the fastest and most explosive, but it misses the holographic sound Aries makes in my room.

And the voices? ... Oh my goodness, with the Aries Cerat I have the impression of the artist is with me in the room!!

I will definitely keep the Aries Cerat.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
As I predicted.  Your enjoyment owes a lot to that SET typology.
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