2. amps-preamps
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For efficient speakers, how much difference does an amp really make?

I have ascend sierra RAAL tower speakers with 90-93db efficiency and 300W continuous power handling. I’m powering them with dual outlaw M2200 monoblock class AB/G amps rated at 200W into 8 ohms. It sounds good...but i can’t help but wondering if a different amp would provide greater clarity and low-end grunt.

I have been curious about an older adcom amp like the GFA-555 II or perhaps a parasound halo amp like the A23. 

To those who have had multiple amps in your setup, did you find significant sonic differences between amps, or is a subtle thing? I don’t want to start collecting amps, but I don’t want to deny myself the chance to improve my system further. Thoughts?
dtrandall
nitrobob
266 posts
 

I can answer your question. I mean I can REALLY answer your question. The reason I can answer it is, I had those exact speakers, with the same amp, and did the same thing your about to do. I had a set of Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with Raal , matching center ( Horizon Raal) and Sierra 2 surrounds. I had a Outlaw 7500 5 channel amp @ 200 per. I updated to the ATI Signature 6005 series @ 300 per. At idle, there was no change,. But turned up, especially on music, the change was impressive. Deeper, fuller, punchier. I loved that system, but you know us guys, we can’t leave well enough alone. I now have twice that much power with Legacy’s I*V5 amp and their speakers. But I liked that Raal tweeter so much it had a lot to do with me picking Legacy’s .

And those speakers will come to life with a couple nice subs. I started out with a pair of 8 inch push pull designs by Miller Kreisel. Then stepped up to 12 inch. I don’t think I would have had even close to the sound that system produced without the help of the subs .

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,979 posts
 
Yes a good powered sub or two set up well is a very effective way to address power needs. Power needs for flat extended bass increases exponentially as  frequency decreases which is why most good subs these days deliver 100s of watts often using Class D amplification. Plus use of a crossover that relieves the bass load on the mains usually results in better performance from those as well because now your main amp has to not work as hard as before trying to do it all. Best thing since Swiss cheese......
bobedwards101
176 posts
 
Try an integrated tube amplifier or preamp + power amp set. With those speakers, anything over 100 WPC RMS should work fine, and give you a lot better sound than your current Outlaw mono blocks. 
bobedwards101
176 posts
 
In your shoes, I’d audition the ACEYYK 160 watt Bluetooth integrated tube amp. Amazon has it priced at $1,010.99 delivered. If you don’t like it, just return within 30 days full refund. If it’s somehow defective return is free. If it’s a case of “well, I just don’t like”, then shipping back I’d in you. But you get the benefit of Amazon’s enormous discounts with UPS and FEDEX; or you can use a USPS flat-rate box if it fits. 
emailists
923 posts
 
Mapman- I used to love those tech Hi-Fi catalogs and recently found a few scanned online - great memories of reading those as a teenager and lusting after the top systems with the multi track recording features.


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