October 31, 2002
Subject: Amp/speaker matching
Hi Wes,
I have read your review on
Arcam DiVA A85 integrated amp. I wonder if it would drive a speaker of 89dB,
especially in the bass (please refer to www.quadral.com
for the Ascent 850 speaker). I am most grateful for your opinion and suggestions. Thanks a
lot in advance.
BTW, I use Harmonic Technology TruthLink interconnects,
Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cables, and an Ah! Tjoeb 4000 CD player. I only play CDs.
Simon
The 850 is certainly an interesting-looking loudspeaker
-- I don't think they're distributed here, but I'd love to hear them. While 89dB
sensitivity isn't extremely efficient, neither is it unusual. The Ascents employ two
5.4" drivers for bass and another for the midrange and their response doesn't seem to
have any tricky wrinkles -- in fact, Ascent utilizes something they have dubbed BTC (Bass
Transfer Circuit) to extend bass response and maintain sealed-box-type bass impact.
In other words, they look like a great match for the Arcam.
I would think they will get on quite well together.
If you go for 'em, write back and let me know what you
think.
October 22, 2002
Subject: Choosing an integrated amp
Hi Wes,
Love your website. I have a quick question regarding the
Perreaux E160i integrated amp. If you had the choice, would you buy the E160i or would you
rather get a Musical Fidelity integrated amp at the same price? I mainly listen to rock,
R&B, soul, and sometimes even rap. I know you like the bass response from this amp,
but does it compare musically with a Musical Fidelity of about the same price? Thanks a
lot for your time.
Kent Doades
I haven't had the Perreaux E160i and the Musical
Fidelity A3.2 in the house to compare them directly using the same speakers, so I should
probably remain silent. Of course, anyone who knows me wouldn't bet on it, however. I have
spent time with both amps and like both very much. The MF probably puts out more than its
rated 100Wpc, but the Perreaux definitely out-juices it at 160Wpc.
Depending on your speakers and your room, this extra power
might be significant -- especially since you enjoy R&B, soul, and even rap.
I think the MF might have a sweeter top-end -- and
again, whether this is an important difference or not depends on your speakers, your room,
and your personal taste. This is not to call the Perreaux coarse or shrill, of course.
Both are extremely over-built and both are quite beautiful,
although most people will strongly prefer one to the other -- again a matter of personal
taste.
If you have a tricky AC system or have had hum problems in
the past, the Perreaux's ground lift is a huge inducement.
The thing about high-end hi-fi is that there aren't many bad
products -- in fact, most good hi-fi is hard to fault these days. That's not to say there
aren't differences in quality between products -- frequently there are. And it's not to
say that there aren't some products out there that are disappointing -- again, there are.
But the differences between two highly praised products at the same price point -- such as
these -- tend to be highly subjective and highly situation-specific, so they are best left
to the end-user.
I could live happily with either. And probably you could,
too. Hope this helped.
October 16, 2002
Subject: Powering Polks
Wes,
I just read your review of the Polk
LSi15s because I'm now in the market for speakers and was looking at them. Did
you use a separate amp on them or just an A/V receiver? I have a new Pioneer Elite
VSX-43TX receiver, which provides 100W x 7 channels. Do you think this will be enough to
drive an LSi system? I really don't want to get into spending more for an
additional amp.
Curry
Actually, I've used the 15s with separates and with
A/V receivers. Frankly, for the best sound I'd use a high-powered separate amplifier and
biwire them, although they'd sound very good with a 100Wpc A/V receiver.
I keep telling people that this whole hi-fi thing supposed
to be about the music and it's supposed to be fun. All of us have enough crap that
gives us stress in our lives -- let's not bring any of it into our listening rooms. If you
don't want a separate power amp, drive your Polks with your receiver and enjoy them
-- of course, with a speaker as good as the LSi15, that part ought to be easy.
October 10, 2002
Subject: Upgrades for vinyl and CD
Wes,
I have an Arcam Alpha 8 integrated amp, Rega Planar 3
turntable and Planet CD player, and Ruark Templar speakers. (Paradigm Studio/20s hooked to
an old H/K 730 receiver in my "back" system.) I have about 4000 records and 1500
CDs, so I need a vinyl-friendly system. My taste in music runs the gamut, and I would like
to get more "air" and clarity in acoustic jazz and classical, along with more
dynamics and "weight" from orchestral, Ellington, or Zeppelin. I don't know
where to start. I was thinking of the amp and was considering the Creek 53530se, Arcam
A85, or even the Simaudio Moon I-5 (I live near Canada and can get good prices on Canadian
equipment). I also know that you've liked the Perreaux equipment you've tested. I love the
size and sound of the Ruarks, but I thought their lack of bottom end might be a problem.
One shop insisted it wasn't, and that the Naim Nait 5/CD5/Flatcap combo would make my
Templars "sing." I was also thinking of the Acoustic Signature Final Tool and
the Lehmann Black Cube as good upgrades and value on the front-end (though the Pro-Ject
RPM 9 is intriguing). And, unless I go with the Naim, I'm stumped as to how to upgrade my
Planet without spending huge bucks (I'd like to keep it around $2000). I'm prepared to
replace each piece, though I'd prefer not to go with much bigger speakers due to space.
I'm looking for the best synergy and value possible, but I'm also willing to pay a little
more if that's where the most bang for the buck is. Can you offer some guidance on where
to start? Many thanks.
I just remembered that I'm also intrigued by the Musical
Fidelity A3CR pre/power combo -- is it worth the extra money over the ones mentioned?
Phil Clements
I don't don't blame you for wanting to hand on the
Templars -- I reviewed them for Stereophile and liked 'em a lot. I think they are,
ultimately, a bit bottom-end disadvantaged, but they have body and slam with the right
amplifier.
For that reason, I'd suggest going the with the
Perreaux or the MF separates. While I think the Nait/Flatcap combo would have slightly
less slam, it has a completely different presentation of musical energy and I urge you to
audition it. Actually, I think almost everybody should seriously audition Naim at some
point in their audio journey.
People have different degrees of sensitivity to the
whole question of timing and pace, ranging from folks who can't hear it at all to people
who are incredibly sensitive to it. Naim addresses this aspect of musical presentation
differently from almost any other manufacturer and listeners either "get" what
the Naim equipment does (in which case, nothing else will do) or they don't (In which
case, the "brash" energy of the Naim electronics will actually be perceived as a
shortcoming).
I think the Nait/Flatcap Ruark combo could be a
stone killer, but you very well might prefer the slam of the Perreaux or the tonal
refinement of the MF.
I also see your dilemma with the Planet -- it's not
perfect, but it's virtues and flaws are balanced so nicely that it will cost quite
a bit more to better it. A used Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista would be the ticket -- assuming
you can find one (don't look at me -- mine's not going anywhere). Or, since you
live in Canada, check out Simaudio's digital gear. As you point out, the prices are
attractive -- and I think Simaudio digital is far better than most people realize.
October 5, 2002
Subject: New integrated amp
Hi Wes,
Your site rocks, and I hope your sage advice will save me
lots of time by narrowing the field for a new integrated amp. I am willing to spend up to
$1500. Remote is a must, and phono and headphone would be nice. As for sound, I'm looking
for something with a "warm, laid-back, 3-D soundstaging" type of sound to
complement my very detailed and somewhat forward JMlab monitors. Can you recommend a short
list of two to three products that stand out as good candidates to audition?
Thanks!
Joe
My favorite integrated amplifiers around $1500 are
the Creek 5350SE, The Arcam DiVA A85, and the Perreaux E160i, although I also really like
the Musical Fidelity A3.2, which is a few hundred dollars more. The Linn Classik, which
includes a CD player and a tuner, doesn't have a phono section, but since you won't need
to buy a radio or CD player, you should be able to afford an add-on unit.
All of these offer extremely musical performance,
but each has features not shared by the competition, so the one that hits the greatest
number of your hot buttons should be fairly easy to locate.
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