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Soundlab A3s and thoughts.

Hi all. i’ve sold my Oranutans and my Brinkmann TT and was going to give it a rest for a while while i renovate an old house we just bought. but.....i’ve just agreed to buy a pair of Soundlab a3s from a local chap.

They sounded nice nice with his n-core digital amp and an ayon cd/pre. i don’t know what generation they are and I don’t intend to upgrade them. i wasn’t looking to buy another system but i’m a sucker for interesting hi-fi.

Anyway, i’m looking for second hand amp recommendations for these. i was thinking Red Dragon S500 but they seem to be missing in action on their web site. What do you guys think would work well and is cheap. (1-2k second hand). this system is kind of an excersize in putting a decent system together for 5k ish.

Also general thoughts about how to get the best from them, from those with experience.

oh ! just one last thing.... if anyone has an email-able user instructions for them they could send me that would be a tremendous help.

Thanks all,  Wish me luck.

Myron.


borg7x9
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Atma Sphere is very much still around and they are very popular with Soundlabs owners but they are very expensive even used. For ESLs the Soundlabs are very easy to drive. You want at least 100 watts/ch. Between 1-2 K is tough. A used Parasound amp might come in under 2K.
You will have to play the used market and see what is available. If you can find an AB amp that gives you the first 10 watts class A that would be great. 
borg7x9 OP
91 posts
 
I’ve got a line magnetic 218ia here in another system (845 output tubes) I’ll try that at very low volumes. I’m a bit of an SET guy. So these are a departure. The 518 is only about 30 Watts so I’m not expecting it to go well. Failing that there is a Nad c390dd local that is within budget. There is also a Bryston 4bb st on eBay that might be a goer !!! Thanks all for your thoughts. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,873 posts
 
Call Dr. Roger West, designer and maker of SoundLab speakers, and ask him for recommendations.
borg7x9 OP
91 posts
 
Wow, go straight to the source.... i hadn’t even considered that as an option. when i’ve got them, ( i pick them up tomorrow ) and i can quote the serial numbers , I’ll do that. Thanks for the advice.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
https://www.stereophile.com/content/sound-lab-3-loudspeaker-specifications

The measured sensitivity was around 76dB/1m/1w (vs. mfr 88dB). Look for a high-powered SS for this model.
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