Usher BE-10/20, what do you use to drive them?

We are Ushers dealer and have found the larger BE speakers really perform best with at least 100 watts of power. We have had equally good results with tubes (like the Cary 120s) and solid state (like the Gamut DI-150 and Plinius 301). While you can run the BE-10/20 with smaller amps, we have found that the speakers dynamics can be limited. We have not tried the Ushers with NuForce amps. I think my favorite combo to date is the Cary SLP-05 preamp and Plinius SB-301. In terms of cables, the speakers seem to be less finicky than other speakers, as long as they are quality cables.

-- Jeff

So I gathered some muscles are needed to move those big Eton woofers, not a surprise. My little BE-718 is very power hungry too, but they do so wonderful with Plinius 9200.

Reason I am seeking for amp advice, Usher BE-10/20 are more analytical than 8571/8871 and many other speakers due in part to the BE midrange which is super sharp and detail. Almost like a Leica lens if you will. So getting a super detail amp like Halcro or Spectral might not be ideal given the nature of the speaker. McIntosh sounds like a good idea, but will it mask out too much of BE's strength? Plinius is usually associated warmth, I think that also explains why Jeff likes it with the big Usher.

Without spending a fortune, say in the $5k range for used amp, what else is capable of getting the most out of the big Usher?

Has anyone heard them with OTL amps, such as the Atma-Spheres or Joule Electras? Cheers,

Spencer

Semi, for $5k, look at Parasound Halo JC1. I almost got these instead of my Ayre MXR. For the price, I dont think you will find many better amps.

BTW, I agree that the Ushers need a decent amount of power. I believe the impedance drops to 3ohms in the lower freqs.