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Best $500 amp to drive Paradigm Studio 100 V2s?

Hi all - first post here (I think?) Joined a while ago but have been a bystander until now.

I may be acquiring these speakers and I don't think my pair of 70 wpc B&K ST-140s will do them justice. Correct? I hear they really need a lot of power. Would be nice if I were wrong, as I am very happy with them.

Don't really want to spend too much more than $500. Looking for used (as always!)—Bryston 4B (the plain ol' 4B—all the others are $$$!), Anthem MCA 20, maybe NAD? Or... ?

Does anyone know exactly how much power the Studio 100s should have? I realize this may be subjective; I can't find an actual number mentioned anywhere despite combing the internets. North of 100 watts per 8ohms is what it seems like.

Any advice appreciated. The B&Ks are the only separates I've ever owned, so I am pretty much a total newbie to other makes. Open to integrated suggestions as well. Or, would be curious to hear what a good preamp (<$300) pairing would be with whatever amp is suggested (my Adcom GTP-500II is on its last legs).

Thanks!
fixilator
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

This is what Stereophile measured tests say to use with these, and I'll add about 100w into 8ohm and close to 150watt-200watt into 4ohm spec on an amp would do nicely.

"The big Paradigm's sensitivity weighed in at 89.5dB(B)/2.83V/m, 1dB more sensitive than the earlier version we reviewed three years ago. This is within the margin of error of the older speaker but is still almost 3dB higher than average. The impedance, however, drops below 4 ohms between 55Hz and 210Hz, with a minimum value of 3 ohms at 90Hz (fig.1). A good 4 ohm-rated amplifier should be used with the speaker."

Read more at http://www.stereophile.com/content/paradigm-reference-studio100-v2-loudspeaker-measurements#cck4irVcCc8Ii58K.99"

Cheers George
unsound
7,329 posts
 
George's post above suggests that the B&K ST 140 is not an ideal choice. The ST 140 doesn't like that impedance load.
raymonda
855 posts
 
Crown XLS 2000.......You can get them for 250 or less. You will need Impedance matcher to get the absolute best out of it since it is a pro amp. But it will work wonderfully.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I forgot to mention in my last post that QSC amps are made in the USA. I think they're the only ones.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

For your price $500 try to find a clean Yamaha P2200 a real sleeper, great bass, and good mids and highs, and relatively unknown for audio, used a lot in bands and PA.

A Yamaha P2200 would do nicely, 250W, big linear power supply, bi-polar output for good current and has magic Alps Black Beauty's as input level controls, feed your source direct in.

Cheers George
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