Acoustic Zen Crescendo

Curious as to why you use the Zero's with the Atma amps? My experience with the Zero's was not good finding they really messed with the sound. 

I have tried several amps and thus far the Lyngdorf is the best. It puts out some 100 watts and sometimes I sense the Cresendos would be very happy with more quality watts. I have two tube amps I have used that both sound great, but in the end sound a little strained at higher volumes and in the bass. 

The Cary Rocket88r puts out 60 watts and with the mods are high quality watts. Same with a set of very good Legend Triode amps from Von Gaylord. My room is very large 36x22 with 12 foot ceilings. 

I am curious if folks have tried powerful Class D amps with the Cresendo? Merrill is a good example I think? In what areas did the Merrills shine compared the the M60's? 

The LM amp has always interested me, but at 22 watts it would seem not to offer enough power based on my current experiences. The Cresendos certainly take the power and in my room seems to want more than 60 watts. I fully understand watts are not watts and one 60 watt amp can drive my speaker better than other 60 watt amp etc... 

The  Cary Rocket  88r offers 30 watts Triode and 60 in Ultralinear mode. The Cresendos need the 60 Ultra mode watts for sure in my room. 

Bill,
This is why at the end of the day everyone simply must trust what they hear and be content. Two people can be in the same listening room critiquing a system and comparing/swapping components and form very different impressions that are "equally " valid. Someone could listen to your system and prefer the tube amplifier while your clear preference is the Lyngdorf 2170. This is not uncommon as people key in and are drawn to various sonic attributes that they place higher value on.

It’s very possible you’d enjoy the Crescendos with even more powerful amplifiers than your Lyngdorf, say maybe 400 to 500 watts. Conversely another listener may feel that this is the wrong direction and believes that the sound quality takes a backwards step. Different ears,different priorities and taste. I believe that you should try a very high power class of D amplifier, it could very possibly be the ideal pathway for your needs. There are a variety of amplifier choices for this excellent speaker that would prove sucessful matches, just depends on what someone is trying to accomplish musically. Robert Lee consistently chooses to use the Triode Corp amplifier more often than not,  I can understand why based on my listening exposure to this pairing. 
Charles

AZ selling direct when they have dealers is totally wrong. That is why they don't have many dealers. Either you sell direct or you have dealers because it can't work both ways. I feel doing business this way degrades the product.

Charles, I would love those Triode amps, but their weight, size, and cost are just out of my league! :) The combo sounds amazing at shows. 

Wig, I thought the LM amp was only 22 watts? I will look those up again.