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Perreaux 3000 B
We got a record number of responses last week when we asked readers to share their loudspeaker preferences. Now tell us what <I>drives</I> those speakers.
Currently using a Futterman OTL 4 (love that sweet top, esp. on string quartets), which has served me for 13 years. This year it will be sent to the backup system driving Rogers LS3/5As, and a VT100 Mk.II will be ordered to drive the Thiel CS2.3s. A Bryston 2B is driving Met 7s very nicely, thank you.
Different situations call for different speakers and power. A pair of Spectral DMA-80s bridged to mono, each with their own dedicated 20-amp hospital-grade line and outlet, through MIT 770 Ultralinear Series 2 biwires, drives my B&W 801 Series 3s (modified) in the main system. A Naim Nait with Flatcap and Naim biwires drives my ProAc Response 1Ses, with the Sunfire TrueSub hooked to the Nait by CHORD interconnects, in the bedroom. Power for the bathroom tunes is an integral part of the Cambridge SoundWorks subwoofer and satellite system, with Monster Cable Classic wire.
I have been happy for many years with an old Naim Nait, but finally feel the need for more power. For replacements, I am limited to a budget of $1-1.5k. I am down to three products: the Naim Nait 3 (truer rhythm and midrange than the Krell 3000i, but of course quite limited orchestral dynamics); the Classé 100W integrated (more effortless, but lacking magic?); and the Audio Refinement Complete (the current leader, lacking only a little of the Naim's pacing perfection). Loved the BAT/Hales stuff at the HI-FI Show, but it's out of my range.
Threshold S500. Great amp, and I can probably use it to arc-weld in a panic. Seriously, I would spend less money if buying an amp today. There are so many things you can do that have more effect on the sound than an expensive, kinky amp. The room and speakers dominate the sound, provided you have a decent amp with enough power. Moving and angling speakers a few inches will have more effect on the sound than changing amps or cables (unless you like high-output-impedance-induced colorations from a tube amp).