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Highly efficient speakers to pair with my SET amp

Hi - I'm posting a little shyly, but with the hope that the collective wisdom and experience of Audiogon can help me chase down some speakers to pair with my SET amp.

I'm currently running Paradigms (Studio 60s) with my Almarro 318A (18 wpc). These are my first speakers, and the combination has kept me happy (and rolling tubes, swapping cables, and otherwise delightedly descending into happy audio oblivion) for a year or so. I've rotated among CD players and have had similar levels of happiness from a Jolida JD100 and a Njoe Tjoeb; both are lovely.

As you can see, I'm balancing sound I like with equipment I can afford. Of late, though, I've been seduced by a friend's setup, which features a much more powerful amp (tubed; same goes for his pre-amp), a higher-grade CD player, and much better speakers. I'm wondering if I can approach that level of bliss without (1) chucking the Almarro, which I love; (2) breaking the bank; and (3) ever getting into the 'edgy' danger zone (I definitely fall out on the sweet SET side of the listening world).

On said friend's advice, I'm thinking that the easiest place to start would be to seek speakers with a little more efficiency. I'm wondering if anyone might offer suggestions as to terrific, highly efficient speakers (~92 db?) in (here goes) the under- or near-$2500 range -- or might have another perspective to keep me from, um, 'borrowing' my friend's setup when he's next out of town.

Thanks very much,
Betsy
fungi
dupzyk
29 posts
 
Betsy -- you might try searching in the past discussion threads and i think you will find some good suggestions there. One that i might look at if you are willing to buy used are the devore super gibbons -- i don't own them but i have heard them and liked them. Carol
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,615 posts
 
Betsy- if you are running an SET with 18 watts, you need more efficiency than 92 db to really hear what the amp is all about. One inexpensive way to get that is the ZU Druid- but if you look into them, make sure they are a new pair or a set that has had the recent updates, else make sure that they are priced so you can get the updates.

Audiokinesis has made easy to drive speakers in the past in your price range, you might try with them.

Another approach is to go with vintage- I recently sold a set of Altec Siennas that were 97 db 8 ohms. Although not much response below 40Hz, above that they were fabulous. I sold them for $300.00... I could have gotten more but I have too many speakers laying around :)
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
SET + Single driver horns = heaven

If you are handy with tools and have enough determination, please contact me privatly.

For less then your original budget, you can have a slice of heaven. I think your friend just might start visiting YOU more often. :)
racamuti's avatar
racamuti
362 posts
 
Hi Betsy, Take a look at the Sonist website, I am running a pair of their Concerto2's with 5 watts and loving it. They have a SPL rating of 95db and have been voiced to to run with SET amps. Also Reference 3A- MM DeCappo's will work with your amp as long as you don't put them in a large room. One final brand that I recommend is Decware most of their speakers were designed for low wattage amps. The Sonist speakers are 2500.00 new but hard to find used, the Reference 3A- MM DeCappo's are 2500.00 new and used ones are easy to find on the GON, Decware comes up on the GON once in a while, they have a few models that will work with your amp, just call Steve the owner and he can help you with witch one. Good luck with your search.
beavis
272 posts
 
Betsy

A site I have used in the past when looking for speakers is: http://www.welbornelabs.com/recomendspeaks.htm

There are also other recommended speaker sites like: http://www.wavelengthaudio.com/speaker.html

A site I like is Decware. See: http://www.decware.com/newsite/speakers.html

Good luck!
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