Amp for Dali Hellicon 400 mk2

Hi Dave,
In the end we will have to disagree about the Helicon 400. I have lots of experience listening to them with different amps, cables etc. I also owned them for some time with different amplifiers. I think they are outstanding speakers with very few flaws. Deep bass tonality would not be one of them from my experience. The amplifier review tends to indicate a lack of warmth or emotional substance from the amp, and I suppose my thoughts were that it may indicate some weakness in the deeper notes, as you have experienced with that amp/speaker combination. I made that connection because of the mismatch between your impressions of the speakers, and mine. Its one theory, and may well be wrong.
Your opinion was confirmed at the show, so clearly you are convinced, and you should consider different speakers for your system.
Regards.

Sorry Mike. I really thought there'd be a Dali suite, with these things running to perfection. Instead, Dali was referring to Soundings' second suite. They were running it with a REL sub, which was turned off for my listen. I would have like my opinion to be "confirmed" with other associated equipment, selected by Dali, but such was not to be.

Dave

I am using a Sanders ESL 300 MkII amp to drive my Helicon 400s. It is an excellent sounding amp with plenty of power and bass control! The speakers also respond readily to cable and preamp changes. I am also using a Dodd battery preamp with NOS tubes and the bass response is deeper and tighter than the Rowland Synergy IIi that I previously used.

You might consider trying a Belles 350 A (or the 350A Reference). Very high damping factor and 250 watts solid state. I have not heard the Belles with Dalis, but I have one driving my Unity Audio Signature Ones, and it controls bass very well.--Mrmitch

I auditioned the mk1 version with arcam P1 monos at my dealer. I felt they sounded quite anemic. I can only hope they sound better with more power. This was in a room that was about 13 x 16 x 8h.