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change amps or speakers

I am powering Eminent technology LFT8bs with quicksilver M60 monoblocks.  No preamp - I am running a dac directly to the amps, which works because with this configuration I am using very little attenuation.  Problem is it is obvious that the ETs require more current and/or wattage- the detail is there but not the punch and there are times when I am maxed out on volume at 12 0'clock and need more. Question is do I change the amps or speakers - I love the quicksilvers and put some serious $ into modifications.  A well respected friend/tech highly suggested I seek out a used pair of PSB stratus golds. I have a medium sized family room and like detail neutrality but need more rhythm and dynamics. Thanks you.
majorc
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,930 posts
 
@majorc
I could be wrong but I think that pre-amp (sonic frontiers anthem pre1P) is a phono stage pre-amp but I think you need a line stage pre-amp which is why it didnt sound right...
majorc OP
78 posts
 
Thank you.  Looks like I will need an active preamp no matter what avenue I decide to take so I will try that.  Any suggestions?  I can start with the quicksilver line stage - others I see on the gon that are highly touted is Don Sachs and Backert. I wish I didn't put so much money into modding my quicksilvers - if I didn't I would just sell them and replace with the newer model.  
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,930 posts
 
@ majorc
  I would go with the quicksilver line stage it has 18 dB of gain to drive your amps to a full 60 watt output. I use a schiit freya+ preamp to drive my amps. good luck. :-)
decooney
2,308 posts
 
@majorc
IF you decided to sell them, your current el34 based Monos would make a nice setup for someone within the higher-efficiency speaker crowd, kind of desirable amps on the used market. Could recoup some funds there. And of course, the other option is to keep them and buy much higher sensitivity speakers, you know that already. 

Since you’ve not bought a preamp yet...
One other option might be to part with the monos and purchase a really nice higher power integrated tube amp to more effectively drive your EMT LFT8b speakers.
majorc OP
78 posts
 
I'm back - was going to go the preamp route but I spoke with Mike at QS and he said the older M60s are a complete no go with the ETs - they are way to inefficient. He said doesn't matter whether the speakers are 8 or 4 ohms with the M60s, but to look for speakers with 90db or greater sensitivity - Mike suggested a pair of older JBLs. Any recommendations would be welcome - some that were previously expressed in this thread were the tekton and JBL 4425s.    
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