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What's best for Tannoy D-700s?

I finally have the opportunity to upgrade my system. I have been lugging around the extremely heavy Tannoy D-700s with me for years now, and have read that many audiophiles think they are guite good. I have not been happy with the sound I've gotten out of them, and suspect that this is due to not having the right amp, wiring and wall positioning.

So to all you marvelous audiophiles: please help me select an integrated amp, used or new, that would pair well with my Tannoys. Also, please let me know if it is really important to bi-wire them or do exotic things with their cross-overs.

I would like to spend less than $1500 on the amp (used). The ideal for me would be that the amp also supports 5 channel surround sound for a yet-to-be-purchased surround system, but I understand that in most cases, 5 or 7 channel amps in a range I can afford will not do both jobs well. So I'd also appreciate any advice as to whether having, for example, a 7 channel amp would work or if I should stick to 2 channel.

For those unfamiliar with the Tannoys, here are the specs from the manufacturer:

Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms
Minimum Impedance: 3 ohms
Sensitivity: 93dB/w
Frequency Response: 30Hz to 30KHz (=/- 3dB)
Maximum Input Power: 150watts
beranrose
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
the D500's and D700's work well with any quality integrated. Audioclassics.com may have some suggestions, but on more than one occasion i have heard them paired with a bryston b60 and they were really dynamic. a creek or tandberg integrated would be a reliable choice as well
michaela
314 posts
 
Your D-700's are indeed quite good and if you're not getting great sound from them, it's not the fault of the speakers. The big Tannoy's do extremely well with tube amps and quality integrateds, but they will really open up with a high current ss amp that's at least 200 wpc. McIntosh and Tannoy are a classic combination, there is great synergy between the brands, but MAC gear might be out of your price range. Here's some suggestions that might be in your price range: Classe CA-200 or CA-201; Audio research 100.2; Audio research D400 Mk2; Gamut D-200; Plinius 9100 or 9200 (integrateds).

I think your D-700's will do better with the best 2 channel amp your budget will allow, rather than trying to get a 5 or 7 channel amp and stay in your budget, as you will again be making sonic sacrifices and again, not getting as much as you can out of the speakers. You'll just be in the same situation as you started with. You can always add a 3 channel amp later on for HT as your budget allows.

Good Luck to you,

Mike.
beranrose OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for your help. Many have said that the Tannoy's are juice hungry, and I've been assuming (perhaps wrongly) that means I should go with a solid state amp.

If I can ask a follow up question, would I be able to get better performance at roughly the same price range with separate components, or at the price I am considering will an integrated amp always be the right solution?

Thanks is particular for the range of models you suggested, Mike. I took a look at your own system - impressive!
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
the ss amps i listed are powerful enough to open up the tannoys but sweet enough to listen to for hours at a time. you don't need to go with separates unless you choose to. though mac and tannoy are a classic pairing, the bryston and creek offer big league sound, and historically these companies have pleased many discerning music lovers who aren't looking to break the bank....as have the tannoys
michaela
314 posts
 
Beranrose: At your current budget, an integrated would seem to be a sensible solution and should yield very good results. I haven't heard the models that Jaybo has suggested so I can't comment there, but in time I would look to separates, only as your budget allows. Jaybo is correct in that a quality ss integrated will be powerful enough to give you tons of musical enjoyment from your speakers, although it's been my experience that when you add a powerful high current seperate amp, it will take control of the speaker, the bass will really firm up and the Tannoy's will show you what they are capable of. Good luck,

Mike.
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