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Amp to match Avantgarde Uno G2 horn speakers

Hi, I listened to a pair of Avantgarde Uno G2 horn speakers two weeks ago and was really captivated by the sound. I heard it driven by an Audionote Meishu SET amp which outputs 9 wpc. Since the Uno G2s have a sensitivity rating of 104dB, that was more than sufficient.

What I'd like to know is: is there any other amp that would be a good match for the Uno G2s? Must it be a SET amp to bring out the best of the Avantgarde horn speakers? I noticed that Avantgarde dealers will invariably sell Audionote tube amps too. How about the Pass Labs XA30.5 pure Class A amp? Would they drive the Uno G2s well? Looking forward to your replies. Thanks.
jtein
nvp
317 posts
 
A few months back I went to an Avantgarde demo show in The Netherlands. The dealer choice for amplification was Audio Note, but he was very nice and switched (at my request) the Audio Note for Accuphase, i.e. the E-560 class A integrated (30 watts into 8 ohms). I have requested this amp because I own the Accuphase E-550 (the predecessor of E-560).

The Accuphase-Avantgarde combination was just marvelous. I could not find a single fault. I have listened only to the UNOs. The dealer bagged me to listen also to the DUO Omegas. He assured me that the DUOs will sound even better than the UNOs (driven by the same Accuphase of course). Unfortunately, I could not stay any longer, the time just flu by spinning one disc after another and I was late to an appointment.

Apparently, according to the dealer, it is well known that Accuphase-Avantgarde is a match made in heaven. The demo I have attended has certainly proven that indeed that was the case.
triode
263 posts
 
My Duo Omegas have mated best with Lamm ML2s - synergy defined, and hailed as an excellent match by none other than Vladimir Lamm himself. Previously used Cary 300SE 8wpc mnons, and (with better results) Wright Sound 3.5 monos (2A3 with 3.5wpc). The Lamms are staying.
jeff1225
172 posts
 
Best matches I've heard:

-Lamm 2.1
-Audiopax 88
-First Watt F3 and J2
-Viva

The nice thing about First Watt is that you can have an in home trial from Reno HiFi. The F3 was wonderful but not a great match with my Hovland HP-100.
rgs92
974 posts
 
I heard the big Avantgardes in the NYC show a few years back with B.A.T. amps and I was very impressed. There was no shout factor, tinnyness, or bass boom. It seemed just right and very involving. I forgot if tubes were involved.
david12
1,454 posts
 
The UK importer of Avantgard, Graham Tricker, is a great enthusiast for the speakers and of course, is Tron Amplifiers also. I don't know that Tron amps were voiced with Avantgard in mind, but they did sound very good together, when I went to pick up my turntable.
Tron are well respected anyway, try googling the name or GT audio is his UK website
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