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What kind of power needed for Martin Logans?

This question has been asked in one form or another, but this time I need some specific advice. I listened to a Martin Logan home theater set-up the other day and I'm in love. I am willing to add or change anything to get these speakers into my system. Electronics right now are a B&K Ref-30 pre-pro, Sony 9000ES DVD, and 5ch Acurus 125x5. The Acurus is gone, I know that, but now I have to replace it with something. I have a Bryston 4B-ST that I use for my 2ch system. I can move that over to the home theater and add to it. My home theater room is small, so I will not be buying the gargantuan Martin Logans. A nice set of the smaller ones ($1000-5000 range) will do nicely. So let me have it. Do I go five channel amp? mix and match 2 and 3 channels? monoblocks? Brands? I'd like to keep the amp purchase down to a reasonable number ($2000-$5000). Any advice would be appreaciated, especially from people who are running Martin Logans now. Thanks.
argent
twopippis
49 posts
 
I have the ML Odyssey. I also have the B&K Ref 30 and the Sony 9000es. The amp I am using is the Krell KAV 1500 which is a 300 wpc, 5 channel. I originally had the B&K 7250(5X200W) and switched up to the Krell. I have a very large room with cathedral ceilings so needed the extra power of the Krell. I actually really loved the B&K, especially for home theatre. I think it is a tremendous value for the money. You can get a good used one fairly inexpensively or go for the new 7260 which is 6 channel. If you want something a little better, try out the Krell KAV 500 (100X5). You can get a good used one in the $2000 range. I really love the Krell. It is very detailed, more so than the B&K. The B&K was slightly warmer though. Since your use is strictly home theatre, I think you would be thrilled with either of these choices. I would look at the ML Ascents. Good luck!
abstract7
541 posts
 
It depends on which Martin Logans. In general, they have the ability to go to very low impedances (panels). This coupled with the demand of the dynamic bass driver can create a staggering load which is difficult for many amps. Some of the newer models (ReQuest, SL-3) are a bit easier to drive as they have increased the impedence. I have bi-amped a pair of Monoliths, which gets away from the problem entirely, but prior to bi-amping I would look into high power hi current amplification--generally class A. The bryston is not class A running and will not be great sounding with the panels. Amps that I generally like are older Classe (model ten) and Levinson (twenty series--I think the 27 had the highest power in the 20 series). Some people feel tubes really work well with the MLs, but I don't have much experience there, so will let others comment on which tube amps might work well. My guess is for the power and demands you will need for both musically and theatrically (HT) satisfying experience you will have a difficult time beating a solid state amp.
larryken
537 posts
 
I have SL3' that are powered by a BAT VK500, which is 475 watts at the speakers nominal 4 ohm impedance....these speakers need at least 200 watts to sound their best and don't do well if underpowered. The transients the panel can produce need as much power as you can afford.
Regards,
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