Zu or Mark & Daniel

Wow - you couldn't pick two more different speakers both in terms of sound and driveability.

The Ruby has very low sensitivity (around 84dB if memory serves me) and really needs a solid amplifier to bring out their best - staggering bass from such a small enclosure and a very forward, punchy and dynamic sound.

The Credenza has sensitivity of over 100dB and a less detailed presentation though also quite forward and very musical. They sound great with tube amplification requiring very little power to get them singing.

For the Virtue 2, for me it's no contest - the Zu's would definitely be the better match. If you had a more powerful amp - say 100 watts/8ohms minimum, then it would be a different story. For your music tastes, I think you'd really enjoy the power and drive of the M&D's.

Did you make a decision?

Personally, I have yet to hear a class-d amp sound great. No offense to Virtue, but I've heard very expensive Rotel ICE implementations and even if they are a little bit better, class-d is just fundamentally brainless. This is not necessarily bad, there are lots of playback setups that are brainless out there and class-d is a cheap way to drive them.

I also have found that Zus need more than flea power to drive them. You can get level, but they sound strained without 40W-60W.

Your Virtue would be eaten alive by a 84dB speaker. Credenzas will make the best of your amp. I would recommend a sub for sure with them though, esp. for electronic music. Actually, you should get 2 subs.

I ended up getting the Mark & Daniel Maximus Mini and moved my setup to a smaller room. The Virtue 2 pushes them with no problem and bass is stunning from these little speakers. They sound fantastic. I did try a more powerful amp (Lexicon) and although bass performance was better the midrange and highs were not as good as the Virtue.

Probably still going to pick up a pair of Zu's eventually but very happy with the Mini's.

BTW the Virtue is not a class d.