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Speaker Asylum General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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Speaker Asylum General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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In Reply to: What amp do you use for Merlin TSM? posted by Champion on January 12, 2009 at 02:10:52:
You'd definitely want to listen to a production model Audio Note amp with the speaker in question. The if it worked out well you could certainly be safe with a kit.
The OTO SE which I have uses EL84 tubes and is rated at possibly a generous 10 watts in the sense that the number with no audible distortion is probably half that rating (at least according to the measurements done by Hi-Fi Choice).
Basically they're designed for their own speakers and more efficient speakers.
Audio Note typically doesn't make the flea powered SETs so in that regard they're more robust than many - and the OTO PP was quite happy driving the Quad 2905 for example. Both amps have 4 ohm taps.
If Merlin recommends 5-15 watt amps the the Audio Note's will likely be fine - but if they recommend 50 watts+ as many makers do then it might be advisable to heed the warning. I love Audio Note tube amps but with the wrong speaker match the result would not be too pretty.
As a far more powerful option and still sounds quite good is the lesser known Grant Fidelity Rita. This integrated has peaks of 450 watts and will be happy driving virtually any loudspeaker. It's a bit more than the OTO and perhaps a little less finesse and smoothness of the OTO but it has far more power and drive and will be better suited driving less efficient loudspeakers. Not to mention it has the build quality of amps many times their price - looks nice and is built like a tank. Having to lug a 100+ pound amp around was not fun but the sound sure was. You'd be hard pressed to find a better tube amp for lower efficient speakers for the money than the Rita. It even looks nice and runs cool.
You might be able to negotiate on price as well as they often have promotionals as they're a relatively new company looking to grow. Though they may have already passed that stage.
You can read my reviews of the OTO and the Rita at www.dagogo.com if it helps.
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Follow Ups
- Before you try an AN Kit... and consider Grant Fidelity Rita - RGA 22:48:14 01/14/09 (0)
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