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Amp recommendations for Tannoy Canterbury SE

I have just purchased the Tannoy Canterbury SE speakers and am driving them with my existing Ayon Audio Triton II KT88-based monoblocks delivering 100 Watts per channel. My only source Ayon CD-5 is connected directly to the Ayon monos, since the CD-5 has got a decent volume control. I listen to mostly very fast and dynamic music including rock, techno and others.

My initial impressions are that I am not getting speed, punch and tight bass. I am wondering if this is possibly due to an amp mismatch. While the tube amp's 100 Watts seem more than adequate for Canterburys 8 ohms and 96db spec, I wish I could get better results.

I am seeking recommendations on what could be the best suitable amp for the Tannoy Canterburies. I am open to both tubes and solid state.
- What could be some of the best Tube Amps as well as Solid State Amps that could be a good match ?
- Existing Tannoy Prestige series speaker owners - what amps do you use ?
- Should I be looking at tube amps which are based on tubes other than KT-88 ?

If you have any other recommendations in positioning/configuring the Canterburies please let me know too.

Many thanks in advance
Wilfred
wilfredt
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
Hello Wilfred,

I don't have Canterburys, but I do drive a pair of custom-built Tannoy HPD 315's (12" Dual Concentric, ca 1975, but with new woofers with the updated Prestige "Hard Edge" surrounds). So far, the best amp I have found is an old VAC PA 35.35, an EL 34 push-pull amp with tremendous current delivery capability, though they are only 35Wpc.

I also have a Plinius SA 100 MKIII, at 100Wpc, but the VAC is by far the better match. I listen to very dynamic symphonic music, jazz, r'n'r, and blues. This amp/speaker combination is well-suited for any type of music, the ability to deliver high energy transients is quite often enough to scare the daylights out of me.
I like the VAC so much, I sent it in to Kevin and company at the factory for a Signature upgrade, and it's even better than before. You might consider looking into VAC, this amp has done great for me.

Best of luck,
Dan
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
It might be that the speakers just aren’t as fast and punchy as the one’s your used to. I can’t see any reason why your amp shouldn’t work well with these speakers. But, as always, it all comes down to personal preference. That’s why some people prefer relatively powerful solid state amps, even with efficient Tannoys. I would love to hear the Canterburys with my amp and it is only a 25 watt push-pull 300b.

FWIW, I believe Tannoy recommends amplifiers rated between 50-275 watts.
wilfredt OP
36 posts
 
Dan,
Thanks for your inputs. I believe the current delivery capability matters most here. I am wondering what is the equivalent of the older VAC model you mentioned available nowadays. I see only high powered amps on their website now.

Phaelon,
Thanks for your observation. For my personal preference, perhaps powerful solid-state is the way to go...
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Best to find a dealer that will loan you some solid state units, 100 watts+. Often the only way to really find out what best suits the SE's is the 'try' way. Theory will get you know where. I have heard the SE's at a dealer's showroom with various amps, none of which made the speakers appeal to me. Finally went with the JBL Everest speakers. The first high end speaker I owned, in the late fifties, was Tannoy. At that time I choose it over a K-Horn.
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