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Soundlab A3s and thoughts.

Hi all. i’ve sold my Oranutans and my Brinkmann TT and was going to give it a rest for a while while i renovate an old house we just bought. but.....i’ve just agreed to buy a pair of Soundlab a3s from a local chap.

They sounded nice nice with his n-core digital amp and an ayon cd/pre. i don’t know what generation they are and I don’t intend to upgrade them. i wasn’t looking to buy another system but i’m a sucker for interesting hi-fi.

Anyway, i’m looking for second hand amp recommendations for these. i was thinking Red Dragon S500 but they seem to be missing in action on their web site. What do you guys think would work well and is cheap. (1-2k second hand). this system is kind of an excersize in putting a decent system together for 5k ish.

Also general thoughts about how to get the best from them, from those with experience.

oh ! just one last thing.... if anyone has an email-able user instructions for them they could send me that would be a tremendous help.

Thanks all,  Wish me luck.

Myron.


borg7x9
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,285 posts
 
Call Dr. Roger West, designer and maker of SoundLab speakers, and ask him for recommendations.
borg7x9 OP
91 posts
 
Wow, go straight to the source.... i hadn’t even considered that as an option. when i’ve got them, ( i pick them up tomorrow ) and i can quote the serial numbers , I’ll do that. Thanks for the advice.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
https://www.stereophile.com/content/sound-lab-3-loudspeaker-specifications

The measured sensitivity was around 76dB/1m/1w (vs. mfr 88dB). Look for a high-powered SS for this model.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
That may be with the old transformer. The newer toroids are more efficient. Myron’s set could be either but he can get them upgraded if need be. The newer PX panels are also more efficient.
borg7x9 OP
91 posts
 
My speakers are original A3s with the old transformers. So as inefficient as they can be..... still sounded great even with my limited amp........ Panels were a little crackly but I tuned this out with the bias adjuster. I’m not quite sure what this does, but I’ve asked soundlab for a Manual so hopefully I’ll learn and hopefully I’ve not done anything bad.

I picked up my speakers today, and roughly set them up this evening. With my Line Magnetic 518ia 22 watts SET. I wasn’t expecting much , but this combination gave me some of the most convincing presentation of female vocals that ive heard. Case of you (Diana Krall/live in Paris CD) was the most present I’ve ever heard it. Fantastic. Volume was not a problem either. There are limitations however. The little line Magnetic could not play extended, low, electronic bass notes without Producing physical vibrating of the panel. Short transient low bass was fine but long electronic bass produced a chuffing at medium to high volume. Lowering the Volume removed this problem. I’m hoping that a higher power amp will eliminate this issue. So I’m now thinking of the Line Magnetic lm150ia, with 4 KT150s producing 100watts. Just because I’ve liked their products so far. There is also I Nad C390 DD for sale locally that I’m interested in ( I used the M51 dac for a while and liked it ). It’ll run 150watts continuous into 4 ohms with x3 that peak. I’m curious about that too. DD amp, dac and pre all in one. Very different to what I’d usually go for but maybe a change is as good as a rest. We shall see.

thanks for your interest. 
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