Power Amplifier To Pair with Klipsch KLF-20's


Hello everyone,
Ever since I picked up my first set of KLF 10's a year ago, I've been hooked on their sound. I now have a set of 20's and wanted to find a solid power amplifier to pair with them. I started using them with a vintage Yamaha CR-2020 receiver that I love, but I wanted to go down the separates route for these. I bought an Adcom GFA 5800 thinking that would be a solid choice, I've been a fan of Nelson's designs and had heard some good things about the 5800. After making sure it wasn't an issue with the specific 5800 I have, it seems that I'm feeding these KLF's a bit more than they need. There is quite a bit of background noise almost sounding like there is a loose connection between some of my equipment. I assumed that the power was the issue since the KLF's are very efficient loudspeakers and my 2020 which puts out 105 watts per channel didn't have any of this background noise. I was using the KLF 20's and the 5800 with a Threshold FET 9 Preamp and an Oppo BDP-95. To test my assumption, I had a friend bring over a pair of Source Technologies 7211's which are much less efficient in comparison to the KLF's and hooked them up to the same equipment. Sure enough the background noise I was hearing with the KLF's was gone. At this point I think I just need to get a power amp that is putting out something much less than the 250 watts this Adcom puts out. I'd ideally like to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 dollars. I don't mind buying used. Any other KLF owners here with their recommendations?
128x128will_emanuel
If you like less power than the 5800 has and without the excess noise, look at a used Anthem MCA-2 or MCA-20.  Some of the quietest amps produced at 120dB+ S/N.  If you can find an MCA-2, it should fall at or below your $600.00 mark.  The MCA-20 maybe a tad more if one of the earlier models.  My buddy drove his KLF-30's with Anthem MCAs and they thumped to know end and quiet as a mouse.

ATI amps also super quiet.

Bill
I was thinking.There are some amazing Chinese made,small,Pure Class A Solid State integrated amplifiers available for about $300.00...They are based on 1960’s circuit design with modern construction & parts..I would imagine one would make those KLF’s sing...
Nobsound NS-02G HiFi Pure Class A Power Amplifier Single-ended Amp Ref Hood 1969...

  • Inspired by Hood 1969, adopting single-ended output circuit, small harmonic distortion, class A large quiescent current, matched with active electronic filtering, the background is very quiet without noise.
  • Pure class A with 15W output power of each channel, which is equivalent to 80W of digital amplifier, easily to drive most home speakers.
  • Filter is integrated into the amplifier board, which makes the primary current shortest transmission distance and reduces the loss. Output capacitance blocking, avoids the loss of relay protection.
  • CNC all aluminum alloy, external heat dissipation chassis, laser laser engraving font, not easy to aging, no deformation.
  • 6 gold-sealed high-power transistors as electronic filter and power output, sound quality is warmer, more delicate and full, providing extremely HiFi listening experience.
  • High-end Materials
6PCS PNP gold-sealed high-power transistor22V pure copper A-core toroidal transformer10000UF NOVER filter capacitorCapacitor: NOVER /VISHAY MKT/ELNAUnited States DALE resistorJapan ALPS 27 potentiometerCrystal pure copper speaker terminalsAmerican CMC816 24K gold-plated RCA terminalsJapan 4N CANARE oxygen free copper wire
Parameters
  • Frequency range: 15Hz-30KHZ (+/- 3dB)
  • Signal noise ratio: 93 decibels
  • Rated output power: 15W * 2 Class A
  • Output impedance: 4 to 8 ohms
  • Harmonic distortion: <0. 01% 1KHZ 1W
  • Dimensions(H*W*D): 75*336*208mm
  • Package weight: 6.5KG
Shipping:FREE Standard SpeedPAK from China/Hong Kong/Taiwan | See details
US $274.99...

I have tried going direct from amp to my Oppo Player, background noise is still aparent. Going to try power filtration next.
1st, you do not need a preamp ( a passive would do ), and if you went direct from your source ( your source would neeed a volume control ), to your 5800, you likely would not hear any noise. 2nd, damp the horns ( both mids and tweets, and the woofer frames ), using a Dynamat type material. Issue solved. Enjoy ! and be well......MrD.
You ought to look into a tube amp! They are going to add some warmth to the Klipschs and ghe Klipschs don’t need much powerp
^^^ Agreed! The amount of power output from the amp is NOT the issue.If you are hearing background noise most likely some electronic component is deteriorating to the point you hear it in the massively efficient Klipsch speakers...
PS:Klipsch speakers are MADE for low power output Tube amplifiers...
dont think the OP needs a 250 wpc amp when the speaker he is using is 100 dB sensitivity .
Any good descent 200W+/WPC will sound good.
dont sort change ur self on watts!, you will need a good amp to handle spikes/crescendos/power chords/drums, etc. 

 
I’m running 94% with planars. I have a 5800, that is quiet as a mouse.
That is a great amp... I’m sure you looked at the routing of the IC and PC.
My Adcom would show an IC problem. GOOD XLRs or shielded (only one direction) with RCAs, or noise.
Mine was very subject to routing issues. It’s been 4 or 5 years though.
I used that amp to run just about any and everything.. It never ran out of gas and was just a beauty to run at night up to about 20 watts or so.. 

600.00 for an amp.... tough

VTV is a class d, 250 wpc power amp that is brand new.. On Ebay... Free shipping.. Made in the US
Give us a review... I use the NC500s in lue of the Adcoms now..Over 4 years, cool as can be.. You can get 500 wpc for 200.00 more or so..

Happy hunting

Regards