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Help picking an amp to work with my system

I recently obtained some Martin Logan ESL X speakers and absolutely love them.  That said, they are part of my surround sound system, so I use them for both, listening to music, and then when I want to do movies, they become the left and right channel of my surround sound.

I’m currently Bi-Amping them off of my Denon 4520ci receiver, but have had issues with them starting to distort if played at around 95db on a heavy bass song, within halfway through the song.  I posted about it in another group, but my post was deleted.  I believe the receiver I’m using just doesn’t have the capabilities RMS to keep up with that draw (Astronauts in the Ocean by Masked Wolf is a perfect example of a song that will sound crisp in the beginning and halfway through, start to distort).

I still need my receiver for surround functionalities, but for these two speakers, I was considering getting a dedicated 2channel amp and use the receiver as the pre-amp for them.  Does anyone have any recommendations on an Amp that’s affordable and clean?  I was thinking a Peachtree Nova 300, hopefully I can find one open boxed/used.  Would this unit fit my needs, or would it be pushing it with these speakers even using that amp?

maverick3n1
maverick3n1 OP
26 posts
 

Supposedly they need to be played at 90+ DB for something like 45 hours to actually break them in, so is 95db really that high of a volume considering the break in requirement?

maverick3n1 OP
26 posts
 

From the manual:

BREAK-IN
When you first begin to play your EM-ESL speakers, they will sound a bit bass shy. This is due to the high quality, long-life components used in our woofer. Our custom made, butyl surround woofer requires approximately 72 hours of break-
in at 90 dB (moderate listening levels) before any critical listening. The break-in requirements of the crossover components (and, to a lesser degree, the stator) are equivalent.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,500 posts
 

so is 95db really that high of a volume considering the break in requirement?

If you are clipping your amp, you are already playing way too loud for your equipment. Adding a robust 200wpc amp will help with that but I’m still concerned about your volume levels. Why so loud? Big room? One more thought, have you boosted the bass on your AVR?

maverick3n1 OP
26 posts
 

My receiver is setup flat so the original content determines frequency levels. I used to run sound for concert and love loud clean music.  That said, I don’t have to have it that loud.  I’ve just intentionally been playing it that loud, even if I’m listening from down the hall, in order to break the speakers in per the original instructions.  As for room size, I believe it’s 15’ deep and 23’ wide.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,500 posts
 

That said, I don’t have to have it that loud

In that case get a good A/B or Class D amp with some serious power and low ohm capability (200wpc is enough) and maybe think about a sub to take on some of the load. If you like the Nova give them a call and ask if it will handle the low impedance load of 1.6 ohms.

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