2. amps-preamps
  3. 134836-96791

Looking for amp advice (punk, rock & reggae edition)

My current amp isn’t doing it for me. Marantz pm6005 which is class D @45 wpc. Speakers are Focal Chorus 807V. It’s very detailed but a little clinical, my biggest gripe is a lack of midbass. According to Stereophile the impedance curve dives to 4 ohm between 100 and 200 hz which is where I think I the problem lies. All indications are that more power is needed to corrrct this which seems plausible as the more volume I give it the more it fills in in that range. The problem is that apartment living doesn’t allow 100db listening sessions.

So, I’m looking for an amplifier (separates or integrated) that has the current needed to round out the sound. The speakers are staying for many more years so replacing them isn’t a viable option, plus I love the sound.

Im interested in going tube but I have no experience with tubes. I have so many questions regarding tubes it could probably be it’s own thread but it seems to me that people love these more than SS on the whole. I’m open to any suggestions though.

My budget is $2500 (used ok but prefer new)

I listen to punk, post punk, lots of reggae (specifically dub), some electronic, a little jazz and some jangle pop (think REM).

Im looking for a warm side of neutral sound with good detail that can keep its composure with fast music yet be gentle enough for jazz. I like bass, if there’s an 808 or that dubby bass guitar, I want to hear it. These speakers do a nice job when the signal is right.

My analog front end is a PDC with a 2M Blue through a Lounge LCR MKIII. All interconnects are AQ Evergreen.

Thanks
gochurchgo

Showing 6 responses by uberwaltz

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Not really the right person to ask on indepth technical stuff.
Yes you get a 3db increase every time you double the power in theory, everything else being equal
So amp2 would not be 10db more, in theory, 45 doubled to 90 would be 3db, then 90 doubled to 180 would be 3 more db.
So 150w would be more like 5db extra
I think..........
Please correct me if that is incorrect
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@gochurchgo.

I know you say you have experimented hugely with position but here is my experience of the 807v.
I must have spent at least 6 hours moving them in tiny increments to get the best possible sq in my listening seat. This includes distance from walls, toe in and critically the upright angle. The latter may have been because I had raised them onto 2" thick maple blocks which them subsequently raised the tweeters in relation to my ears. But after carefully lowering the front adjusters on each speaker i was able to dial in a really sweet spot that really was by means of very finite 1/2" adjustments in position, yes they were that finicky to set up in my room.
However the rewards were well worth it.
That being said they were never ever driven with less than 150wpc amps with current to spare........
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
With the insanely low prices H160 are selling for right now I am almost tempted to buy another one just because!
I mean there is one on ebay right now at 1400........
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
You are welcome gochurchgo.
btw the Focal Chorus 807v are excellent speakers that punch WELL above their pricepoint imho.
I was still using mine with 12k of electronics behind it and still did not feel they were embarrassed but I came across a pair of Wilson Witt at a very good price which are what I am using now.
The Focals should last you for many years with some good clean power to drive them
Good luck!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I second Robelvick description.

Detailed, true to the mid and lower bass.

I do not listen to quite the power play music you do but plenty of hard driving rock and new rock where mid bass is paramount for me.
Vocals are clear and precise.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I can heartily second the vote for a Hegel h160 or a h300.
Both have the Hegel house sound and plenty of current and grip to spare.
I used the h300 on a set of focal 807v as well. Superb imaging and mid bass was extremely full.
Just one point on the h160, it actually has 3 analog inputs not 2. The ht input can be configured as a normal extra analog input from the remote.
I found the inbuilt DAC on the Hegel were more than adequate and considering these 3800 and 5500 new units can now be had for 1700 to 2200 is a killer deal.
More to discover