Amp for Dynaudios

Conventional wisdom says that Dynaudios are best with beefy solid state amps. As to which one - pick your poison. Cary if you like a mellow top end and slightly flabby bass, Rowland for a sweet sound but with the other usual SS characteristics, Krell for a drier but more punchy sound, etc.

I really am impressed with the McCormack DNA-125 Smooth, Fast and Detailed. It has a great synergy with the Dyn's. Plus it has the high current that the S1.4's need since they drop to 4 Ohm. The McCormack does 200 watt into 4 OHM. Steve McCormack is one of my favorite designers. All of his designs sound fabulous and have a great reputation. He visits this site often to comment and answer forum questions. A Very special amp. PM me if you are interested I have one 3 yr old and 2 pair of S1.4's Maple and Cherry with stands. I am switching to a tube set up and was going to put these up next week:) Good Luck!

Seasons greetings fellow A'goner.My current 2 channel system consists of:Dynaudio "Audience 52SE"speakers,Marantz "DV-7001"multi disc player which runs through a Yaqin"Tube Buffer"(Tesla 6922 tube),Yaqin "MS-34D"Class A, EL34 Tube Integrated Amplifier(Shaguang EL34's & NOS Mullard M8100's),MAC cables(Silver Braided I/C's & Source HC Power Cords)all pluged in a Furman "PS-8"power station.Before I offer my opinion on your choices I want to DISPELL a few myths regarding Dynaudio speakers(especially when driven by tubes).It has been said that Dynaudio's are lifeless at lower volume levels.Whle this may be true when driven by most class A/B amps,when driven by quality,Pure Class A amplification this drivel goes right out the window.I am retired so I don't have fixed hours & often listen to music well into the wee hours of the mourning.Even at whisper quiet levels the 52SE's have all the tonal definition & musicallity you could ask for.Second people say they are too dificult to drive with tubes,BULL!My Yaqin puts out 40 wpc Pure Class A Tube Power & IT ROCKS THOSE 52SE's!Bass is DEEP & Tight with NO slop WHATSOEVER!Dynaudios are ACCURATE speakers & WILL expose any poor equipment in the system as well as POOR RECORDINGS so keep that in mind.They are definitly NOT rolled off & mellow speakers.Now my recommendation(OH MAN I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THIS COMBINATION)is the Contour S1.4's driven by a VTL"IT-85"or the Cary"SLI-80"Tube Integrated Amp!My money says those combos would ROCK!!!The Dynaudios will highlite EVERY great aspect of tubes.As for loose bass with the Cary,I doubt that VERY seriously.Power transformers on todays tube amps are just too well built not to control the small bass drivers we are talking about with an iron fist.Maybe on big multi driver speakers but not something like the Contour S1.4's.Rolled off treble?Again NOT LIKELY with todays production tubes.One more thing.I have discovered that my 52SE's like all copper wire in the system.Check those S1.4's out with tubes & I'm betting you'll be in sonic heaven.Have a great weekend.

I have trouble driving my Audience 42 speakers with a 100 watt Creek Destiny integrated. I'm in a bedroom as well so it's not like I'm trying to fill a huge space with a small speaker either. Dyns are known to be a tough load so I wouldn't be looking at any amps that are lower powered. I've never tried tubes and don't care much for them just because I don't like having to power things down every time I listen. That BAT integrated you mention might be a good idea. Or maybe even one of the high powered Musical Fidelity integrateds might be worth looking into?

My vk-75 drove my Dynaudio 3.0's with what seemed to be very little effort.

Tim