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Aerial 10T Mk2 - Suitable Amplifier?

Audiophile newbie here. I found a mint pair of Aerial Acoustic 10T (Mk2) speakers at an estate sale. They came with Kimber 8-strand (per polarity) cables (4 cables for bi-wiring) and a Rotel RB-971 (70 watts/channel) solid-state amp. Sound sources are connected via the preamp stage of a Denon DRA297 (no speaker cables connected to the Denon). I’m delighted with the speakers, which eclipse the Vandersteen Model 1 pair that are now my TV speakers. Audiophile friends have made amp suggestions including bi-amping. I’m hoping for suggestions from Audiogon members regarding amp (or preamp and amp) selections that would bring out the best in the Aerials.
128x128rwroberts
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hk_fan
460 posts
 
Parasound JC1's.
jl35
3,982 posts
 
When those speakers were current, Aerial recommend high power Theta or Classe mono blocks   A friend had a pair, we liked them with Pass X250, did not like them with Parasound A21
mitch2
3,972 posts
 
McCormack DNA500, or DNA225 - preferably upgraded by SMc Audio.
Cary 500MB monos but not the 500.1s
Ncore would work too, but the higher up the chain the better with the best value being the NC500 monos from Acoustic Imagery for $2K
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hk_fan
460 posts
 
I also had good luck with a Levinson 336 driving them.  

In terms of preamp/amp combo I've tried many and have settled with a Levinson 326S pre with the JC1 monos.  It does so much right in terms of what I am looking for.

I would not bother with bi-amping, instead spend that money on a higher quality/power amplifier(s).
tinear1
49 posts
 
I have had my 10T's since I bought them new in 2001 for $6,900 (with the Sound Anchor stands). Something equivalent would be at least $15K today. Fantastic, musical speaker. It's recommended that you have a high current amp with  min 200 watts to get them to light up, so that Rotel has got to go. I started with a 300w Classe SS amp, which I thought sounded good, but after that darn bought-new amp broke down for the second time in 2 years, I replaced it with a Krell FPB400cx (400w of Krell muscle). That's what I'm talkin' about - now they sing. Bass is tight, where the only ding the 10T's got in the reviews back in the day was they can be a tiny bit tubby, and goes really low. And don't believe that crap about Krells being bright - maybe that was true for early models, but they're nice and smooth - just depends on what's upstream. Find a used Krell with at least 300w and those Ariels will be very happy. You can use it with tube preamp's  if you choose - there's a jumper inside that you change. I tried it with an ARC pre, and it was very nice. Now I'm using a Krell KCT preamp - which for me is a nice combination. There's something to be said for going with a stack from the the same vendor - you get what the designers were going for.  All the best to my 10T owner brethren!
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