What amp are you using with your Zu Essences?

I'm using an Art Audio Carissa and a PX-25 and loving them both. I have decided that for me the PX-25 is a better fit as I listen at what I believe are too low volumes for the Carissa with such high sensitivity speakers ( I have 101dB Sensitive Omen Defs). The Carissa is better with jazz and vocalists, but I prefer the PX-25 for electronica, rock, etc as it is a bit more dynamic, but a little less life like compared to the Carissa. Either one though is a great pairing with Zu's.

I was running the PX-25 with my Essence before getting the Jota. It is a great amp and matched the speakers very, very, well. For my rather larger room, I found that it ran out of gas (6 wpc) for me on challenging pieces. The reason I got the Jota was based on my very positive experience with the PX-25 (and the Quartets a while before that)! I come nowhere near running out of power now (~24 wpc).

1markr. Thanks for the feedback. How do the two compare? The PX-25 with the JOTA? My Defs are more sensitive, and the 6 watts is surprisingly enough. I bet the Carissa would pair well with the Essence also as it is a big 18 Watts! I just feel like with my Defs it is like driving a Ferrari around town in first gear!
Thanks,
Morgan

I went to 1markr house to listen to his system.One of the
most live musical system Ive heard.Its so palpable listening to
the instruments and singers.With the Jota the essence just
blossom.Perfect match.Art audio do make musical amps.I own
the concierto.

Just thought I would chime in one more time. I have about 150 hours in on my Manley Steelhead which is partnered with my Manley 300B amps-- replacing the receiver that was performing stand-in until the Steelhead arrived. After replacing a tube in the 300B that was apparently functioning but not at peak and inserting the Steelhead into the mix, I couldn't be happier with the sound.

With the Steelhead/300B combo, the Essence throws a huge wall-to-wall soundstage that starts slightly in front of the speakers and extends back through the rear wall of my room. In SET mode, they are absolutely stunning on small ensemble music or acoustic. It's pretty exciting to have Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, and Van Morrison lifesize and in 3D in the room. Plus, if I want slightly better dynamics, I just switch the 300B's into PP mode. In PP, the 300B's have all the drive that the Essence will ever need in my room.

Upon final assessment, wihtout the option of switching between SET and PP, I would recommend at least 15 watts of SET or PP power to really experience all of the dynamics of which the Essence is capable. 24 watts of PP 300B power is more than sufficient. If you are not listening at moderately high to high listening levels on large-scale classical (e.g. Mahler) or on something like electronica (e.g. Massive Attack) then less watts would be just fine.

Enjoy,

PMB