I just wanted to add some thoughts about using a professional music amplifier and in particular the Crown XLS Drivecore series. (XLS1500-XLS2500)
1. An S/N ratio of 105db A-weighted, though very good, isn't for very High efficiency speakers (It works out fine with the NHT 3.3 at 87db efficiency and even my Taddeo Monitor 1's at 92DB but I doubt it would work well with speakers rated at around 100DB or better as I think you could start hearing too much white noise.
2. Even though these particular Crowns have RCA inputs they need a higher level from your preamp (1.4vrms or better in order to reach full volume capability)than many preamps put out so check your specs.
3. I strongly recommend leaving the amps built in speaker protection turned on as it works very well and these amps are very powerful!
I still love mine and although an $8000 Krell pure class A might be better? I simply can't afford to find out. But it does sound better than an excellent 6550 based Bewitch tube amp driving my efficient old Taddeo's in either triode or pentode mode to my old ears. It just seems to grab the driver's and absolutely hold them to its will.
1. An S/N ratio of 105db A-weighted, though very good, isn't for very High efficiency speakers (It works out fine with the NHT 3.3 at 87db efficiency and even my Taddeo Monitor 1's at 92DB but I doubt it would work well with speakers rated at around 100DB or better as I think you could start hearing too much white noise.
2. Even though these particular Crowns have RCA inputs they need a higher level from your preamp (1.4vrms or better in order to reach full volume capability)than many preamps put out so check your specs.
3. I strongly recommend leaving the amps built in speaker protection turned on as it works very well and these amps are very powerful!
I still love mine and although an $8000 Krell pure class A might be better? I simply can't afford to find out. But it does sound better than an excellent 6550 based Bewitch tube amp driving my efficient old Taddeo's in either triode or pentode mode to my old ears. It just seems to grab the driver's and absolutely hold them to its will.