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Which amp?

74.75.159.203
Posted on November 7, 2009 at 06:29:02
late
Audiophile

Posts: 70878
Joined: April 4, 2000
 I have 11 year old PSB Golds. I have a 6 channel ADA 150 watt amp with a common power supply. Using it just for stereo improved the sound. When I fried one of the speakers, having it push just one speaker helped a lot in the bass.

They really need a high current amp to sound their best, but money is an issue. A local guy has a used Anthem PS2 amp and he's asking $1950, the list is $3K.

Audio Advisor has the Parasound 'classic' amp which is about $1400 and has 250 watts. I really ought to be listing these amps by the number of amps they put out.

They also have the John Curl Parasound and a Cambridge Audio amp, refurbed they're a bit over 2K. I have no idea how reliable either of those would be. Shipping a big amp around to be fixed would be expensive.

I'm tempted to dump the speakers and get smaller, more efficient speakers. Of course, if I do that I lose the deep bass. I should mention that this is a dual system, music AND home theater. I don't do surround sound, there are just the two speakers.

I have been stuck for several months now. I am reluctant to dump a ton of money into fixing my old speakers, and replacing the equally old ADA amp. But when I went speaker shopping locally, the results were depressing. The only speaker I liked cost $3K. That's possible for me, but
past what I should be spending.



They also have a MF integrated 250 watt amp refurb for about $1700 after shipping. I have had good luck with MF, but I am a bit concerned about the power.

RE: Which amp?, posted on November 11, 2009 at 12:48:13
KnobSpinner
Audiophile

Posts: 13
Location: Rural Washington State
Joined: August 13, 2009
 Outlaw Mono M2200 amps. Sold only online and now on sale for $270.00 each. 200w at 8ohms and 370w at 4ohms.

I am using a pair w/Magnepan MMGs. An incredible sound for the money. The MMGs are also online only for about $630.00
(Worshiping at the Universal Music Altar)
RE: Which amp?, posted on November 10, 2009 at 17:42:04
MichaelV8
 Sorry you have a problem. I'm still using my gold i's and they sound better than ever with the new Bryston 4BSSTsq. Before that I was using the Musical Fidelity A5 power amp which was also good, but had a problem with a low level buzz in the audio which could be heard at low levels, but not at average levels where it was masked. I also used a MF A3 power amp and at 120 wpc or so, it was too light weight for the golds.

My next speakers will be smaller. I was considering the Dynaudio Focus 140's. Perhaps they would improve the mids some and provide a more seamless transition from the mids to the bass. Ok, the big sound and fullness of the bass will not be there. One thing I have a small problem with on the PSBs is that something's a bit off in the bass. Perhaps it is because the bass is out of phase with the mid and treble drivers? Not sure.

I suppose with the Dynaudio's I'd need a sub and again the transition from bass to mids would be problematic. So far I'm just content enough with the PSBs to continue with them until I have some problem. I suspect I might have the same problem with the smaller Paradigms--not sure.

RE: Which amp?, posted on November 7, 2009 at 17:39:00
Pat D
Audiophile

Posts: 7558
Joined: June 20, 2000
 I can see you have a multi-faceted problem. I think to look at them one at a time.

How much will it cost to fix the Gold-i speakers? They're still pretty good speakers.

I am not at all certain that changing amps will make a great deal of difference. It may be that bass from one speaker sounds cleaner in the placement you have. That's another reason for fixing the Gold-i's first. Then look into getting another amp.

The 150 watt 6 channel amp on the ADA site says it will do 250 watts into 4 ohms. I don't know how that was measured (i.e., how many channels driven). You may have a different model. Anyway, advertised in the U.S., it must meet that spec.

You'd have to about double the power of the amp to make much difference. The Musical Fidelity amp is probably fine.

You could look into a Rotel power amp. They've built some high current powerhouses in the past that aren't too expensive. I don't know what the current prices are.

What is the $3K speaker that you like?

"Probability is the very guide to life."---Cicero
Paradigm S4, posted on November 7, 2009 at 20:51:21
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Audiophile

Posts: 70878
Joined: April 4, 2000
 It's discontinued, but there's a pair left at my dealer. The only change since the model was discontinued is that the dealer will throw the stands in free.

It's 500-600 for the parts for the speaker. Yeah, they are good, especially for HT, but the newer ones have a much better midrange.

The ADA has a design flaw. It has flush mounted banana receptacles. If the cat goes by, sometimes the wire works loos and touchs the other wire and that amp board goes zap.

I agree with your statement about doubling the power.

RE: Paradigm S4, posted on November 8, 2009 at 21:52:53
noway
Audiophile

Posts: 103
Location: Canada
Joined: August 28, 2007
 Who gave you the repair estimate for the PSBs and do you know what is actually wrong with them? Are you ordering the parts direct from PSB? I would get them fixed but wouldn't spend that much doing it.

For amps I would go with a used Bryston 3B or 4B, with some warranty remaining.

RE: Paradigm S4, posted on November 8, 2009 at 13:11:16
Pat D
Audiophile

Posts: 7558
Joined: June 20, 2000
 Tough choices.

I quite like the Paradigm Signature Series, obviously. I haven't heard the second versions.

Is the S4 the second version? Or does your dealer still have the first version? If so, it's overpriced since they should offer a big discount. Besides, you should be able to get the first versions used--and they are very fine speakers.

Is Paradigm coming out with a third version of the Signatures?

"Probability is the very guide to life."---Cicero
I don't know if those are first or second versions, posted on November 8, 2009 at 14:29:05
late
Audiophile

Posts: 70878
Joined: April 4, 2000
 There appears to be some changes in this year's lineup on the website, but
I have no idea if they constitute a different version.

They are nice, aren't they.

RE: I don't know if those are first or second versions, posted on November 8, 2009 at 16:29:51
Pat D
Audiophile

Posts: 7558
Joined: June 20, 2000
 I have found the Signature Series speakers that I have heard, the S2 and S8, to be among the best speakers I have heard, regardless of price. I only heard the S4 very briefly, and it seemed brighter but that may have been a poor placement next to another speaker. I presume the later iterations are at least as good.

I was very impressed with the PSB Synchrony One, I think I could live happily with them though they are very slightly more forward than I prefer, or perhaps the Synchrony Two tower, though I haven't heard them. The Synchrony One B standmount is a good speaker but I prefer my own. The Synchrony line seem to be harder to drive

I found a reference to the Signature line, Version 3, in the link below. It looks like the S4 have been dropped from the line.



"Probability is the very guide to life."---Cicero
Not amp but..., posted on November 7, 2009 at 14:37:34
tweakk
Audiophile

Posts: 113
Joined: October 3, 2009
 .

Already have a pair of halogens, posted on November 7, 2009 at 20:52:22
late
Audiophile

Posts: 70878
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Got a ten watt and a fifteen watt Topeak. The newer leds put them to shame.

The MF will do well with your Golds., posted on November 7, 2009 at 09:25:40
ppopp
Audiophile

Posts: 2076
Location: Southern California
Joined: October 10, 2002
 The Cambridge should do okay too. Both have the kind of character of sound which should compliment the PSBs. Don't know enough about the Parasound or Anthem amps to comment.

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