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Sanders sound or parasound for big ESL's

Just wondering what you thought about either a pair of used JC-1 monoblocks to run big ESL's or a used Sanders/innersound amp. The JC-1-s can be had for around $3500 used, not sure about the sanders or innersounds.

I realize the Sanders has some pretty significant upgrades over the innersound and don't mean to start a Sanders vs. Innersound war. Both designed by the same person with the Sanders upgraded internally (the list is on his website). The Sanders gear isn't available used, or hardly ever because there just isn't that many units out there. Innersounds are easier to come by.

If anyone has had experience with either or both let me know. They would be used to drive A-1 Soundlabs. I don't have a preamp yet so I can match it to whatever amps I purchase.

Thanks in advance
lance_s
dob
577 posts
 
Sanders is excellent amp, capable of almost 2kW peak power but its based on negative feedback which bring odd order distortions to the sound. These distortions are very noticeable even at extremely low levels

If your speakers are electrostatic you must read:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/manufacture/0708/index.html

You can find use Spectron for about $3.5k

Good Luck in your search
Rafael
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
Yes,the 300s can be mono'd.I had Roger convert two stereo units-definitely no clipping there.
lance_s OP
27 posts
 
Tpsonic,

That begs the question. How much did the conversion cost and did you feel it made a significant difference in performance? Two 300ESL's at approximately $1200 each is $2400 plus the conversion and shipping may be pushing $3K. At that price point it's getting close to JC-1 or Spectron range. I wonder how the mono'd 300ESL's would do up against a pair of JC-1's. That would be an interesting side by side.

A safe way to go might be to try a 300ESL alone first. If it can't push the load, another could be added. I saw a pair of i750's for sale recently but they were around $3.5K each.
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,373 posts
 
Lance if I had to guess I'd say the pair of ESL 300s (very similar I would think to the 800s) would sound more powerful and dynamic than the JC-1s. The JC-1s don't have the powerful character of most powerful amps I've tried, but I think they'd beat the ESLs in the just about every other way. To put it another way the JC-1s sound more lush. If you speakers are on the brighter side then the ESL 300 might? be to much of a good thing. The Innersound Eros speakers were what I would call dry sounding and clean and extended. I think the amp is sort of the same sound. I wish I would have tried the Eros with the JC-1s it seems like it could have been a good match.
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