I'm not new to this hobby. I used to follow the hobby closely in the 90s and a little beyond. I gave up on Stereophile and Audiogon years ago because of all the silly debates on minutiae that got very heated at times. Also the high end had devolved into class warfare and snobbery. It's still like that to some extent. There's even a few snobs left on Audiogon.
Instead, I decided to enjoy the system I had, get into the music and not worry about whether or not I'm getting the last iota of detail and passion. The better the recording, the better it sounded and if it was recorded with passion, it came through on my low buck, low snob appeal rig.
I always kept an eye out for gear, especially speakers, that would enhance my system without complicating it and without running me into debt. If I wanted to get rid of it later on, I wouldn't lose any money. (If you haven't figured it out yet- I am cheap and PROUD!) The Manis came up on Audiogon for a killer deal because it had a few nicks in the cabinet. Big deal. At the price, I jumped on it. They are everything "they" say it is.
My Adcom served me well since 1989. Even driving Dunlavy SC-IVs. My room is smallish and doesn't need 1,000s of watts for rock levels. The Duns were the best speakers I have ever heard, but they were way overkill in my room. I reluctantly sold them (and made a tidy profit).
I listen to a wide variety of music. From solo acoustic guitar to huge, bombastic symphonies, to Springsteen, Santana, Allman Bros., with jazz in between, depending on my mood. I listen loud, especially when I'm on the exercise bike.
The Manis fit the bill and I won't lose if and when I sell them. The "little" Adcom 545 drives them well. The bass is well controlled and deep, no lack of current. Adcom uses humongous power supplies and capacitors. They are current monsters. I have tried other amps in the past. I borrowed a Brystom 4BST from a dealer and tried it on the Duns. There was NO improvement in any respect over the Adcom. Perhaps in a bigger room there would have been, but not in mine. I tried an Aragon 4004/2 on the Paradigm monitors I had at the time. Where did the bass go?! No drive, no bass. Back to Adcom, much better. Maybe there was problem with the Aragon, maybe not. I won't try them again.
So, there is some backround. I do want to try other amps with the Manis. I think you are getting an idea of what the criteria are. Low buck overachievers are my favorites. Something well known so if I decide to sell, it won't be difficult. (The ASW speakers I had took YEARS to sell. They are a German brand very similar to Audio Physic, in design and sound, but no one ever heard of them.) The bigger Adcom is only a possibility. I haven't ruled out Classe, C-J. McCormack and other brands in the 1,500-or-so-used range. I'm in no hurry. I can wait for another killer deal.
You're wondering what speakers I always went back to after selling the Paradigm, Dunlavys and ASWs? Radio Shack Minimus 11!!!
Ok, finished laughing? They are GREAT speakers. I've had them since 1982 and they have been outstanding backups. After I sold the Duns, I pulled them out of storage and set them up, prepared to be very disappointed. It has been years since I listened to them, but now they were to be used immediately after having Dunlavys. I couldn't believe it. They were as natural in the vocals as the Duns and Paradigms, two of the most natural speakers I've had. Natural vocals are the first thing I listen for in speakers. ANY pickle barrel/boxiness is an immediate failure. For example, I listened to the Alon IVs after they were raved about in Stereosnob, for all of 30 seconds. The Shacks gave up bass, detail and dynamics to the Duns, and they would get slightly hard when turned up to rock-out-while-working-out levels, but paired with a garage sale M&K sub , they were extremely satisfying. All for a total of $130.00. Now they are the rears in my surround system.
Now I'm in the high end amusement park again, but I'm staying off the damn merry-go-round.
Ben.
