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Looking for amp advice (punk, rock & reggae edition)

My current amp isn’t doing it for me. Marantz pm6005 which is class D @45 wpc. Speakers are Focal Chorus 807V. It’s very detailed but a little clinical, my biggest gripe is a lack of midbass. According to Stereophile the impedance curve dives to 4 ohm between 100 and 200 hz which is where I think I the problem lies. All indications are that more power is needed to corrrct this which seems plausible as the more volume I give it the more it fills in in that range. The problem is that apartment living doesn’t allow 100db listening sessions.

So, I’m looking for an amplifier (separates or integrated) that has the current needed to round out the sound. The speakers are staying for many more years so replacing them isn’t a viable option, plus I love the sound.

Im interested in going tube but I have no experience with tubes. I have so many questions regarding tubes it could probably be it’s own thread but it seems to me that people love these more than SS on the whole. I’m open to any suggestions though.

My budget is $2500 (used ok but prefer new)

I listen to punk, post punk, lots of reggae (specifically dub), some electronic, a little jazz and some jangle pop (think REM).

Im looking for a warm side of neutral sound with good detail that can keep its composure with fast music yet be gentle enough for jazz. I like bass, if there’s an 808 or that dubby bass guitar, I want to hear it. These speakers do a nice job when the signal is right.

My analog front end is a PDC with a 2M Blue through a Lounge LCR MKIII. All interconnects are AQ Evergreen.

Thanks
gochurchgo
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Not really the right person to ask on indepth technical stuff.
Yes you get a 3db increase every time you double the power in theory, everything else being equal
So amp2 would not be 10db more, in theory, 45 doubled to 90 would be 3db, then 90 doubled to 180 would be 3 more db.
So 150w would be more like 5db extra
I think..........
Please correct me if that is incorrect
willemj
1,036 posts
 
A little while ago I moved up from a 2x45 watt Quad 303 to a 2x140 watt Quad 606-2 (both driving relatively inefficient Quad 2805s in a pretty large listening room). The biggest benefit was a cleaner and more dynamic sound. The old Q303 had clearly been asked to do more than it was made for. It has persuaded me to put a pair of 2x260 watt QMP monoblocks on my wish list.
Unless you are into boutique amplifiers, power does not necessarily cost much. Take a look at the excellent Pxx00s series of Yamaha Pro Audio amplifiers. The series has now been discontinued, so with a bit of luck you can get a real bargain. See here for an exhaustive test of the 2x350 watt P3500s: http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/amplificateurs-de-puissance-haute-fidelite/mesures-ampli-yamaha-p...
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,948 posts
 
8ft each. Belden cables from BJC. I forget if they are 10 or 12 awg. I got them 5 years ago.
@gochurchgo Is there any way to shorten them up? 8 feet is getting kinda long. I would also pay attention to how tight the connections are at either end of the cables.
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gochurchgo OP
923 posts
 
Well, according to this link I need 47 watts
https://geoffthegreygeek.com/calculator-amp-speaker-spl/

According to this one I need 130.4
http://headphoneaddict.com/power-calculator/

According to this one 90-300 watts if I understand correctly
http://rftech.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/24/~/determining-power-needed-for-speakers

Focal’s recommended power rating is 25 - 175 wpc.

The second one makes sense both by the way its laid out and that it would put my need in the center of the suggested wattage by the manufacturer. I don't think wattage is the issue though. Wattage is loudness. It gets plenty loud. I think its current as a large section of the impedance curve is closer to 4ohm than 8 ohm. The little power supply here isn't faring well with the impedance curve and the phase angle (-40degrees according to Stereophile).
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