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I'm presently running a pair of AR3's and 3a's through my McIntosh MC2300 amp on it's 2 ohm taps. Knowing that the speakers can and do dip below 4 ohms to 3, or even 2 ohms each depending on the situation, was wondering if experimenting with the 1 ohm, or even .5 ohm taps that the amp offers would be encouraged. Have never run speakers that low before, and while I don't think there is any danger to the amp or speakers, thought I'd ask before doing. Thanks.
Follow Ups:
The AR-3a's were my first pair of speakers. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough power to drive them properly, but they still sounded very good. One day I was in an audio store and they had one of those big McIntosh amplifiers with the big meters driving the AR-3a's and they sounded absolutely awesome. I was driving mine with a 40-wpc Revox integrated amplifier so I couldn't turn them up real loud, but they still sounded very nice in my little studio apartment. I was only 22-years old when I had my AR-3a's with a Thorens TD-125 turntable and SME 3009 tonearm with Shure V-15 Type II cartridge. My electronics were a Revox integrated amplifier, a Revox tuner and a Revox A77 tape recorder. That was one of the best systems I ever owned. I just wish I had a bit more power, but those speakers still sounded exceptional.
I owned that system for only a year or so. I lost my job and had to sell it. I'll never forget that system because it was one of the best systems I ever owned and it was many years before I owned another system that I felt sounded as good. I'm 73-years old now and my present system is the best I've ever owned and possibly the best I've ever heard, but I still have fond memories of that original Revox, Thorens, AR system I owned more than 50-years ago.
Best regards,
John Elison
Lovely post. Thanks for the memories.
I acquired a nice pair of JBL 4412's over the weekend, and will be pairing them up with the Mac MC2300 so that I can rock out when I want to, something that I wouldn't want to do with the precious 3's. Those will now be powered by my McIntosh MC2105 and used for mornings and evening listening sessions, when the wife is home and the music is a bit more gentle.
I remember the JBL's, too. I never owned a pair, but a lot of my audio buddies in the Air Force bought them and enjoyed them very much.
Happy listening!
John Elison
These are my first pair. Always preferred the more laid back type of speakers like AR/KLH, etc. But I heard these were more neutral and so far I'm really pleased with them.
Decided 2 ohms sounds best. 1 ohm was a little light in the bass dept, a little thin, or so it seemed to me. 2 got it back to a nice pounding that I expect from the 2300.
The MC-2300 has a transformer coupled output section.
unlike other SS amps, you are not connected directly to the transistors - but to a transformer to manage the load/power
feel free to try different taps for your AR 3 & AR 3a speakers-
Happy Listening
Thanks.
You must be using the AR 3 and 3A for many years. How do you compare these with the new generations of speakers of similar make ? I would assume the new ones are generally brighter and more open than the AR and perhaps with less bass. You must be liking the musicality of the AR.
Cheers
Bill
I've known and liked AR speakers since I was a teenager in the 70's. I grew up not far from where they were made in the Boston area so there were a lot of people who owned them. But I never actually owned a pair until a few years ago. Yes I love the 3's/3a's, and yes it's their musicality that makes them so special. Mine are both completely rebuilt, so not at all what a lot of people hear when they listen to them these days and then criticize them. They have plenty of high end and a great mid range, and of course a huge bottom because of the 12" woofer. But unlike a lot of more modern speakers which I've heard/owned over the years, they are not in your face, and are extremely easy to listen to.
Thanks for the reply. In the early 70's there was a demo kiosk inside the NY Grand Central Station with several ARs set up for commuters' listening. I used to spend a lot of time in there. Only problem was they had only classical LPs. Finally when I bought a speaker I went for the large Advent. I had plans to buy AR7 later but did not work out. They were all, as you said, musical speakers.
Cheers
Bill
They had a similar listening room in Cambridge, MA in the 70's that I spent a fair amount of hours in. And of course their speakers were in pretty much in all the many audio stores in and around Boston. Couldn't afford them back then so it's nice to finally own some now. There are still many models which I would love to own. AR9, 11, LST. Don't know if I ever will but gives me something to shoot for.
How would you compare the 3 and the 3a? Is there much difference?
Very close. I prefer the 3 a little more. I can't explain why other then to say it seems to do everything a little better then the 3a. Goes a little deeper, has a bit better mid. The 3 has a different crossover point then the 3a, and both were restored by different individuals. Perhaps it's that. I don't know. My 3a is early and has the same 12" cloth woofer that the 3 has.Can't go wrong with either, IMO, assuming proper restoration and proper amplification. They are not the easiest speakers to drive.
Edits: 03/04/21
I dont know which speaker is below. Suppose you turn them around and listen, perhaps 3a might sound better? I am thinking the weight of the speaker on top giving more density to the air spring inside Acoustic Suspension speaker. A wild th0ught!
Cheers
Bill
And a good thought!Presently have 3a's on bottom. But I've had the 3's on bottom in the past, also had them side by side, and of course have listened individually. 3's remain my favorite in all configurations. Because they're so similar, however, stacking them provides for a bigger, more powerful presentation then listening to them separately. Particularly with the current McIntosh MC2300 that I'm powering them with.
Edits: 03/05/21
Great. I envy the set up. All the best.
Bill
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