Help w/ amp for ML Requests


Am buying pair of Requests. My current VTL Compact 160 Monoblocks probably can't drive them well. Please help with
good reasonable amp selection, tube or ss, $3-5K. Key word is reasonable.
ryllau

Showing 1 response by abstract7

You need an amp that can handle very low impedance loads. While the loads aren't as low as the original Quests, they are still go fairly low. Couple that with a dynamic woofer that can kick in when the panel is producing a very low load and you can have quite a demand for an amplifier. So, you don't need huge amounts of power, but power that can double down to 2 ohms. There are two brands of amplifiers that come to mind: Krell and Levinson. Some of the Krell amps can be harsh with the panels, but virtually everything in the Krell line (except the KAV products) will drive these speakers very well. Levinson is smoother, but can also be darker (particularly the older gear). I have heard the ReQuests with Reference 20.0 monoblocks, 27 (I think that is the right number it's the 100 watt stereo amp), and 331. All of them sounded fantastic. I prefer the Reference 20.0, but that's really a personal preference. The 331 was actually more lively than the 20.0. Lastly, do as Jeff suggested with bi-wiring. These speakers definitely benefit from bi-wiring (not all speakers that are bi-wire capable do).