Integrated amp to drive ProAc 1sc

Anyone else find the 1sc a bit bright and etched sounding? I can't imagine using many SS or any ARC amps with it. Now the Resonse 2, 2s, and 2.5s, yes. Also, it seems people are saying 300B SETs are powerful enough to drive this speaker - I presume this would be in a small room?

Ecclectique - Ever heard the large Merlins (or even small ones) and if so, how do they compare to 2.5s? Also, I remember hearing about 5-6 years ago that some people were modding the 2.5s' crossovers and swearing it simply improved what was already excellent. Heard anything about this?

The 2.5s are only 86db efficient but have a very stable impendance curve (I don't think they drop below 6ohms) and a benign phase angle making them quite easy to drive.

I also remember something about the Merlins as regards using tube or SS but, based on what I read here, most owners use tubes and a lot use OTLs. The Merlins also appear to be a very easy load.

Gunbei - I auditioned in my home the Tablette Sig. before deciding on the 2.5s 7 years ago as I really hoped to find something less expensive. The Tabs were so bright and, as my wife called them, cold sounding that I couldn't even consider them. This with a triode P/P amp.

I then tried the Response 2s in my house and it was beautiful sounding but a bit too beautiful, if you know what I mean. Wonderful late night classical music speakers, though. I finally did spend a 2 1/2 hour private listening session with the 2.5s at the dealer using an 845 SET and an 25 wt SS and fell in love. Bought them that day and have not looked back. In fact, just this past week I treied to sell them to see if I could find something better and more musical, got an offer (on the low side) and decided to withdraw from the market. I just can't let them go! I actually thoroughly enjoy just looking at them and it made me quite sad to see them sitting unplugged my the family room. Last night I dragged them back to listening room and decided in 2 minutes that I'm going to keep them. Besides, this makes my wife very happy as she actually paid for them with her bonus that quarter - and we all know how our wonderful ladies get sentimentally attached to things! (I guess me too.)

I also listened to 1sc with SET amp (Cary 300B which is a bit on the warm, dark side of things) and found the ProAcs etched and uninvolving. But remember, just like we all taste differently, we also listen differently.

Amen, Ecclectique and Gunbei. I feel terrible as I almost worked out a deal to sell my 2.5s but I just can't - almost like ending a friendship for no reason. Maybe some day I'll upgrade to Merlin's floorstander but until then...

Gunbei - we also need to check what's called the phase angle of crossover as the flatter that is (less steep) the less power is needed to drive.

I have a friend with 84db Spendors. You'd think he'd need a min. of 100wts to drive but since the impendance curve and phase angle are very easy (benign) he uses a 20wt OTL and everything works great. I know another speaker that is also 84db but has a wide imp. curve and steep phase angle - it's a bitch and needs a minimum of 100wts just to get going. I also know a speaker that is around 91-92db efficient but has a difficult imp and crossover load and requires lots of power.