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What amplifier do you use for your Dahlquist DQ10s

I have an Adcom GFA555 currently but am looking to upgrade to a better sounding amplifier. I've been considering Aragon 4004/8008 (Mondial not Klipsch manufactured), Counterpoint SA20 or SA220 (but have heard a lot about reliability issues with Counterpoint), but I'm looking for other ideas. I like the Rogue Audio m150/180 mono blocked but don't want to spend that much. I am using a Rogue Audio Perseus preamp that I would like to keep in my system. Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated.
fanofdq10s
13 responses Add your response
brf
1,715 posts
 
The Adcom GFA555 is a great match with the DQ10's I have also heard the Aragon 8008 with DQ10 and they worked and sounded really good.
sturgus
68 posts
 
You can try the Musical Concepts mod for your Adcom.
kennesawjet
203 posts
 
I have Karl's (the designer)alon II's and IV's and they sound great with Conrad Johnson/tubes
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,654 posts
 
I owned the DQ 10's many moons ago! They need a good amount of power! There is a Conrad-Johnson MF-200 (200 watts per channel)listed on this site for $750. It would go real nice with the 10's! You can google that amp to find out more information. BTW they are great speakers!
timlub
2,039 posts
 
My first instinct is a Muse One Hundred Sixty, this would be phenominal on DQ-10's...
My second thought would be a McCormack DNA .5 or DNA-1...
Third I think of a Sumo Andromeda II...
Fourth Hafler Transnova 9500
and Lastly Musical Fidelity A3CR Power Amp...
These amps are all capable, will all sound good with the Dahlquist and will run from $500 to $1000.
It is normally thought that these speakers need a lot of power, in reality, they need an amp capable of current (which comes with power)...
m297904
93 posts
 
I have a pair of DQ-10s that I drive with Proceed HPA-2's (250w/ch). I also drove them in an HT setup with a Parasound A51 (250w/ch also) both to good effect - they loved the power!
As others have said, current drive is the real requirement. The other suggestions of a DNA 1.0 (not the 0.5 though) or Muse 160 or CJ MF-200 if tubes are your fancy are very good too. Although I believe the DQ's were designed to thrive on transistor power. Oh, I really like the Aragon 8008 too!
brf
1,715 posts
 
M297904, the CJ MF-200 is a metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) amplifier, not a tube amp.
A lot of good recommendations.
fanofdq10s OP
14 posts
 
Thanks for the advise. It will be helpful in my decision.
brf
1,715 posts
 
Fanofdq10s, have you done any crossover upgrades to your DQ10s? I had my done (a long time ago) and the improvement was very noticeable. With the new caps available today, I imagine the improvement to be even greater. Just a thought.
fanofdq10s OP
14 posts
 
Brf, thanks for the advice. I have definitely thought of upgrades on them. Ultimately I will be upgrading caps and wiring for sure. I have a great stereo shop where I live that I have dealt with for many years that will do the upgrades. I'm just waiting until I upgrade or replace the amp
seattle_mike's avatar
seattle_mike
43 posts
 
DQ-10's love big solid state amps and good tube amps. If I had a pair and a Perseus I would absolutely go for a Rogue Atlas Magnum. Ask Mark about putting KT150's in it.

Most of the solid state stuff people are recommending here would be 'meh' with DQ-10's.
fanofdq10s OP
14 posts
 
I would love to pair them with Rogue M180 mono blocks. I have ultimately ended up buying an Aragon 4004 Mark II.
doak
199 posts
 
Bet the 4004 does a very good job.
Always thought it was a great amp and not just for the $$.
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