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Amp for Dahlquist DQ-10

I have recently discovered this site and appreciate the opportunity to learn about audio from the knowledgable people the participate in this forum.

I have a pair of DQ-10's that I bought new in the late 70's. They always seemed under powered by my Hafler DH-200, but still sounded great. I'm using a Crown IC-150 pre-amp.

I recently purchased an Adcon 555 power amp. That seemed to perk the DQ's up quite a bit and with it my interest in refreshing my system. I'm now considering either replacing the Crown preamp or adding a second Adcom 555 power amp, but I'm not sure which change will give me the most bang for the buck. If the replacement of the preamp is the best route, I'm interested in hearing suggestions of which preamps will mate well with the 555.

Since I will likely be buying used equipment online and won't be able to listen before I buy, I wanted to see if anyone here was willing to offer a suggestion.
laffer
timlub
2,039 posts
 
I haven't sat in front of DQ 10's in a long long time, but I have sat in front of them in a couple of homes probably 25+ years ago and once in my store. I modded the pair in my store. In the store we put them on Sumo gear, it did a good job on them, the nine was warm and inviting, but in the homes, one was much better, He used a Audio Research Preamp and Kenwood LO7M power amps. This was a very nice combination indeed. I would today, still recommend a tubed preamp that is warm and rich, along with a power amp that is fast and accurate. These old speakers would sing again. Everyone won't like that Adcom amp, but it is alot of bang for the buck, If you like it, run with it. I might recommend a Joule-Electra Preamp. Maybe a Conrad Johnson... Depends on Budget. Good Listening, Tim
mr_hosehead
207 posts
 
My sister still has her DQ-10's from back in the day - and now she has her Mac electronics back and driving them, just like when she first got that gear. That combination has always worked for me (but then you're reading comments from someone who drove speakers w/ a DH-500 for years). I'd guess you could find a second 555 for a price that makes that approach very reasonable (and if that doesn't do what you'd hoped you could sell that 555 for approx. what you pay and then try the pre-amp route). You know you liked that combination - so now you just want a bit more of it.
laffer OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for your comments. The pre-amp upgrade seems to make a lot of sense. I've often admired the sound but never developed the knowledge to be confident in this area. I'll research Timlub's recommendation on tube pre-amps. Adding a second 555 is pretty simple and inexpensive, so I can address that later. I'm guessing that the pre-amp will make a more significant improvement than adding power. I like music at high levels, but one 555 is pretty strong by itself.
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