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Power amp suggestions for Peachtree & Triangle

Looking for a power amp with a budget of < $1000 to give a bit more punch to my system. I have a Peachtree Decco 65 integrated driving a pair of Triangle Comete 30th Anniversary speakers that just isn't cutting it for me. Sounds fine listening at 9 to 10 o'clock where the Cometes really shine, but anything lower I find is flat and dull. Having to constantly adjust volume up to get that "wow" feeling indicates to me a lack of power.

I suspect there is heavy sound absorption at work in the room (shag-like carpeting and large sectional) so I'm not sure if this is the issue or the Peachtree is the weak link. The Triangle Cometes are highly efficient speakers with a max power handing of 80W and 8 ohm.

Have my eye on a PS Audio HCA-2 but would 150W be too much?
ijarrio
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,178 posts
 
Each of my OHM 5 speakers has 4 3 way 3 db level adjustments on board (+/- 3db or neutral) for 3^8 or 6561 different possible settings combined. It makes getting the speakers tuned into the room right much easier than otherwise. Couldn't live without them. Once I get the settings right, they tend to stay for along time.

I also have a smaller pair of similar speakers without the tone controls. Much harder to place optimally. Both tend to sound essentially the same when tuned in right.

No tone controls on my ARC pre-amp though. :-) I'd like to keep my audiophile club membership card, please.....
mjmch2003
243 posts
 
Nearly forgot...I had a Conrad Johnson MF2250. THAT was a great amp. Smoother than my Cary with more low end.

I like that tone controls idea, though...
trianglezerius's avatar
trianglezerius
119 posts
 
They were designed on tubes so why not go with what Triangle uses?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,178 posts
 
With my Triangle Titus XS speakers that I've had for a good 15 years or so, which are smaller but similar to Cometes, were I to strt over again with them, I would look towards a tube amp. Lead contending tube amp vendors for me would be Jolida, Glow, Decware, and Rogue. If I could afford more, perhaps ARC or VAC or Atmasphere.

BTW the Triangle Titus speakers are one of the best sounding speakers I know of at low volumes with most any decent quality amp, even SS. They are the ones that convinced me that box speakers could replace my older Maggies, also low to moderate volume sound champs when set up well, years ago for low to moderate level listening.
ijarrio OP
16 posts
 
I "had" a 15W CR Developments Kalypso integrated amp driving a pair of Energy C-3s and the sound was fantastic at low volumes ("had" because the amp is in serious need of repair - no sound and tubes arcing). Never felt the need to turn up the volume beyond the 9 o'clock mark and this is what I'm striving for with my current system.

If I ever get motivated to get this amp fixed, I'm sure it will be a perfect fit for the Cometes. Although, the room characteristics were very different with my previous system.
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