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Ideal Cheap Low-Watt Amp for Martin Logan Quest

What would be a few ideas for an ideal low wattage dirt-cheap power amp for Martin Logan Quest electrostats?

(Either a power amp or, preferably, an integrated amp.)

OK, so it's a strange question. Electrostats are not the most power efficient speakers. But in my current situation, which is living off grid using solar power, I would like to keep my speakers (ML Quest) and get a small amp. I would like this amp to be dirt cheap and very low wattage. Lets say 50 watts and under.

Suggestions?

Most important factors to consider?

I will keep my current setup (tweaked H/K Citation 16 power and sae pre) for daytime use, but I would really like something for cloudy days and evening/nighttime use. We are on solar power, and at night rely on batteries for power. I love this life, but it does pose a challenge for listening to loudspeakers at night.
stephenlloydwebber
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

The ML Quest at only 85db, has a pretty evil 2.7ohm load in the bass and mid bass as well, not to mention the 1.4ohms at HF but the -phase angle is kinder up there.

The 80hz mark especially as it is combined with a - phase angle of around -60 degrees, which would take this 2.7ohm load down to an even lower EPDR of around 1.5ohms.

http://www.stereophile.com/content/martinlogan-quest-z-loudspeaker-measurements#G0AEXphElTTK72mB.97

I would say look for a good >100w solid state amp that uses Bi-Polar (BJT) output transistors (not mosfet) and can almost double it's wattage from 8 to 4 to 2ohms This will mean it can deliver current into these low loads. Class D's don't like loads below 4ohm.

Cheers George
stephenlloydwebber OP
4 posts
 
Yes, and here we're hitting on the relative idiocy of my original question. I want to keep my speakers but use a low watt amp, which also needs to be cheap, given my current financial straits, where audio equipment lists low.

If I got rid of the speakers -- ow, wow, there I'm already getting misty-eyed at the possibility -- I would need to purchase new speakers in addition to a new amp. The goal is low wattage but also dirt cheap, unless somehow I could get new efficient speakers and a low watt amp for the same price as a low watt amp for my electrostats.

I just really like the sound of the speakers and I happen to live off-grid. When the sun shines I can use a high power amp, and when the sun doesn't I can use my new/used ________ amp, which only cost me $___, I'm happy to say.
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,758 posts
 
I've put together a 'dirt-cheap' system for a guest bedroom with the Andrew Jones designed Pioneer SP-BS21-LR speakers and an AudioEngine N22 amplifier. It sounds surprisingly good. The SP-B21 speakers are @ $100, I bought a pair on sale for $50. For about $25 more their big brother, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR is even better.

Either would probably work well with the Dayton amp that Mofimadness recommended and you'd have a pretty decent late night system for @ $200.
lcherepkai
280 posts
 
What if you ran the amp, ideally a higher powered one, off of a generator used specifically for that purpose?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
You might consider Audiokinesis loudspeakers. They are wide bandwidth, revealing, easy to drive and reasonably priced!
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