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Amplifier For Martin Logan CLSIIZ?

Hey guys,

I'll be getting my Martin Logan CLSIIz's next Friday. I've been leaning toward tubes, but am somewhat open to solid state - provided it's a synergistic match.

Do the CLS' need WATTS or CURRENT?

Here is a list of the "affordable" (less than $1,500 used) amps that I am somewhat familiar with and was considering.

Solid State:
*Classe DR-2 or DR-3 (only 25 and 30 watts, but pure class A and VERY high current)
*Pass Labs Aleph 3 or 5
*McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe or DNA-225
*BelCanto EVO 200.2
*PS Audio HCA-2 (never heard this one but have read good things)

Tubes:
*Audio Research D-XXX Most of these are fantastic - anything from the D-76B up to the D-160
*BAT VK-60
*VTL 70/70, ST-125, Compact 100s
*Music Reference RM-9

This is by no means an exhaustive list. They're just a few pieces that I'm either very familiar with or that just sound intriguing.

I'm open to all suggestions but am particularly interested in hearing from folks with personal experience driving CLS'.

Thanks in advance for your help.
gullahisland
norfish's avatar
norfish
75 posts
 
I owned the CLSIIZ's for about 8 years and was very happy driving them with a pair of ARC Classic 120's. Can be obtained for about $2300 used. I tried the Synergistic Master A/C power cords on the CLS's and liked them quite a bit.

Randy
dannylw's avatar
dannylw
172 posts
 
Did you find that the power cords make a substantial difference?
bemopti123
303 posts
 
The reference for Gilbert Young of Blue Circle were the CLZII paired with his now, out of production BC-2 SS monoblocks...which are hybrid. When I had them, they used to produce prodigious amounts of heat, and were quite heavy for the specified wattage...of about 75 watts pure class A watts. 75 lbs and can be obtained at 2-2.5 K, not quite enough for your budget. I think other class A amps will do, what about the now classic DR-25 by Classe?
yada
158 posts
 
I went through several power cords about the time that Elrod Sig 3 rolled out. I found that the power cords did make a difference and thankfully, I liked a less expensive cord.

The most noticeable difference for me with the power cords was the presence of, or lack of air.
norfish's avatar
norfish
75 posts
 
I compared the Synergistic Master Coupler with a pair of XLO cords and found that the Synergistic had a much better midrange with more sparkle, especially on piano recordings. They went a fair bit of the way towards alleviating the thinness which is the primary drawback of the CLS, IMO. This thinness ultimately led me to sell the CLSIIZ's and get a pair of Alon Circes, which are also dipolar in the mids and highs, but use dynamic drivers.
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