2. speakers
  3. 1116174148

best 5-20K speakers for high-end tube amp?

I have a Jadis JPS2 tube preamp and Jadis 845SE tube amp combination, and want to get a pair of speakers which really show off their sound. I currently have a pair of B&W804s, and I figure that seriously upgrading my speakers will give me a significant improvement in sound (these speakers are in a much lower budget range, and not ideal for tube amps I believe). What speakers would you recommend to really get the best out of my equipment? I heard the magic with my Jadis amp in the store with a pair of Wilson Puppys 5.1 in the store. My home system has decent sound, but not at all 'magical'. My currently listening environment is about 17 x 25 feet (9 foot ceiling), and I generally listen to jazz, pop, world (everything from indian classical to spanish flamenco to andean flute music, etc...), and vocal music of all kinds.

I figure the budget will be between US$5K and 20K somewhere, and I will try to buy used, but this will be difficult since I live in China.
no_slouch
jvogt
212 posts
 
I agree with the comments made about Magnepans. I own
1.6QR's which I had been using with a Mark Levinson 27.5
amp (200 W/Chan @ 4 ohms). The 27.5 is an outstanding
solid state amp, but sounded constricted at higher volumes.
It didn't have enough juice to drive the Magnepans. I sold
it and got a Levinson 335 (500 W/Chan @ 4 ohms) and the
speakers opened up. I love Magenpan speakers, but they do
require a quality high-powered amp to sound their best.
wrp
42 posts
 
No_slouch,

I you have an opportunity to be in New York, I suggest you try to listen to the DeVore Fidelity Silverback References ($14k). I have a pair on order and will be upgrading from a pair of Vandersteen Model Fives. These speakers are very transparent, dynamic and even across the entire frequency spectrum.

As far as size is concerned, they are 47.5 inches tall, 8-11 inches wide and 17 inches deep. 91 db efficient,and a very stable 8 ohm load. In other words very tube friendly. You can find more info at http://www.devorefidelity.com

Good luck in your search!
jeffjarvis
257 posts
 
Wilson Audio Watt Puppy,
Sonus Faber Amati, could be found in Hong Kong.

Audiogon member,Lafish in Hong Kong might be able to help.
I had a positive experience in my transaction with him.
szutinglee
91 posts
 
Teajay is right about acapella costing big bucks. they do have the fidelio monitors for $6.5k (including matching stands) that sounded fantastic at the past 2005 nyc he show. ofcourse, being small monitors, fidelio lacks deep bass. but still very worthy of checking out. the acapella lacampanella (about $26k) also sounded incredible at the nyc show. i just can't get them out of my head since listening to them...

i wish No slouch the best of luck at finding great deals on his journey.
no_slouch OP
48 posts
 
I am considering used Acapellas or Kharmas, but have some concern about their power requirements.

The Acapella website lists 25 watts as minimum recommended power for the Violon, while my amps put out only 20 watts.

From the low sensitivity (89db) and high power handling specs on the Kharma website, I get the impression that they all require large wattage- however, a pair of Kharma (Ceramique 3.2s?) were reportedly driven by 18 watt Lamm L2 amps at a CES show (conflicting reports stated L2 and L1 amps, however). And a magazine reviewer stated the L2s would work well with "high efficiency speakers such as the Avantgarde Trio, the Nearfield Acoustics Pipedreams, the Wilson X1 or X2, or virtually any Kharma."

Any help on this?
More to discover