Good Amp for Martin Logan Monolith II


What is a good amp for the Monolith II that doesn't cost a fortune. Before I had an Aragon 2004 for each speaker and it still seemed like it wasn't powerful enough. They would get very hot and seemed like they were struggling to power the Monoliths.
dirtrider180
Eliane Elias is brilliant. My Foolish Heart and Tangerine, also on that disc are great.

Are you familiar with Grant Green? On his CD, "Idle Moments", Blue Note, listen to the title track, almost 15 minutes long. This recording really says something about the resolving power of the big Martin Logan panels. Through my CLS while each musician takes their turn, there is a strange sound coming from the right speaker before the sax begins his solo. It is Joe Henderson blowing air through his horn to the tune of the song while he is warming up for his solo and it was picked up by his mic. I'm sure this was not audible during the recording session or by any other speaker for that matter.
Okay, Grant Green, Idle Moments is my next purchase.

Thanks for the recommendation. You know, the fun part of this is that I can actually borrow equipment from my favorite store in San Diego and they let me take it home for extended listening. I may borrow some AR Amps and take them home to listen. I am not in the amp of the month club, I'm not, I'm not!

enjoy
It's great you can borrow equipment from your local dealer. It would be a good way to find out if your system would be more coherent with all tubes and if it is meaningful to you.

I was runnig the Dunlavy SC IV speakers with Audio Research tube electronics. Dunlavy never believed in bi-wiring, but the dealers and reviewers pressured him until he started offering binding posts for bi-wiring or bi-amping. I tried the speakers both ways and I preferred the sound with single wire because the speakers were much more coherent.

I will be interested to know if you try another pair of tube amplifiers on the bottom and the results. Please keep me posted.
See, the problem with not being in the amp of the month club is that if I go to my favorite stereo equipment dealer, Stereo Design in San Diego, borrow two mono tube amps and take them home and use them instead of the ML3, and they sound better (which I really doubt by-the-way), then I'm in a situation where I may be stupid (for me) enough to buy them, when I really don't need to do that at this time. This year, I'm suppose to be saving money and not spending money (unnecessarily). Very subjective I know. I haven't heard a tube amp just powering bass woofers that really out do a very good solid state amp. They are typially slower and don't have the bass slam and bass realism that I hear from a good solid state amp. But, one day when I am very patient and have the strength to not do something stupid, I will do that. I wish I had friends nearby that I could borrow their amps and try this. But alas, no one nearby. My closest friend with massive VTL mono amps lives in northern California.

enjoy.
If you find one,the Streets 950 stereo power amp from the mid to late 80's drives those speakers with ease!!the Barry Streets design was one of the best,true dual regulated power supplies,the only other amp to state that claim is the famous Mark Levinson ML-2 -25 watt mono blocks that can fetch up to $5k in todays 2014 market if redone with new caps.etc...the Streets 950 was rated around 95-100 watts but with 7 times more current then traditional high watt amps,no voltage problems whatsoever and amps ran rather cool,like toast,featured a 2-speed internal fan with large side to side heat sinks.the Streets redone with new cap technology will blow away the current $10k to $15k amps!!
amps also just kill on Snell Type AIII speakers in bi-amp mode,the Snell's sound best by far with good solid-state amps due the speakers are extremely power hungry and need control.get in touch I just may have access to 1 or 2 of the Streets Electronic System model 950 power amp,timing is everything,here today gone tomorrow.
keith--in ohio