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Power amp Suggestions for Dunlavy SC-IV

I'm picking up a used pair of SC-IV for a mastering room in my home. Admittedly I'm from a Pro Audio and Recording studio background and am largely unaware of many of the obscure and esoteric audiophile brands and topologies. I was planning on powering them with a Bryston 4B initially, but started looking at used amps and was overwhelmed by the selection. Using the 4b as a point of reference what other amps would people recommend <$2k used.

Some that I have considered are the Krell KSA 250, Older Levinson ML3.
I even have an old set of Marantz Model 5 monoblocks in the storage room, though I suspect they are way too under powered for the Dulavy's.

Thanks and forgive my ignorance.

trin
trinculo
pryso
1,928 posts
 
trin, I have Duntech Princess, the older sibling to your DAL SC-IV. After trying many amps over the years, the best match I've found is the Halo JC-1 monoblocs. Unfortunately they are way above your budget, even used.

Your speakers will be revealing so I offer two cautions. In spite of their rated efficiency, they will benefit from higher power. I would begin with 100 wpc with tube or 150 wpc SS as a minimum. Also, many SS amps will be revealed for their brightness, edge, and/or harshness.

A few specific amps I think do well are VTL 225 and Cary SLM 100 for tubes or RE Designs and Classe for SS. Certainly quality amps from ARC, conrad-johnson, McIntosh, etc., (no personal experience) would also be candidates.
zieman
339 posts
 
T, Dunlavys are a very high efficiency design. You will be pleasantly suprised how well the old Marantz amps will do. You will however need a subwoofer, set at 60hz, maybe higher. Use the amp budget for that.
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tdaudio
201 posts
 
Other options to consider are some of the older Nelson Pass class A amps. I ran Pass Labs Aleph 2s with 4As (I ran across info in a couple places that those amps were used during the speaker voicing process). It was a good match.

In addition to his products at Threshold and Pass Labs, Mr Pass has designed class A amps for other Brands; Nakamichi, Forte, and I think some others.

TD
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I read a review that used a pair of Pass Laboratories 300W Aleph 1.2's to drive Dunlavy's. I think these will be way out of your budget range even as old as they are and used. I second the Pass Labs suggestion though (as a less harsh or unforgiving sound compared to the Bryston). Personally I don't have a problem with Bryston but some do - to my tin ears it sound correct even if unforgiving.
unsound
7,329 posts
 
I've heard Dunlavy SC-IV's run with some fairly high powered Pass Aleph mono's and was underwhelmed. I heard those very same speakers sound better with some B&K M200's, different Pre though. Though the Dunlavy's are indeed efficient, I was amazed at the improvement that 4 matched B&K M200's made over using just 2. But, that maybe just personal preference.
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