Need Recommendations for SS amp for 2 ohm load


Hi,

I'm in the process of upgrading my Innersound Eros speaker to Roger Sanders new 10b design. As an outcome, I need recommendations for a Solid State Amp that can handle 2ohm impedance and the phase swings along with the capacitance characteristic of the Innersound/Sandersound speakers.

I have the VTL MB450 which is a great amp, but the big tube amp won't be good with the wicked load of the electrostatic speaker.

I really prefer tube amps but the review on 6moon for Sandersounds 10c speaker strongly advise against tube amps due to the digital crossover it uses. My upgraded speaker will be using the same digital crossover, so my search now for a new SS amp that can handle this.

I'm looking in the budget range of $2-4K max...
geraldedison

Showing 4 responses by geraldedison

Thanks for the many suggestions.

Several amps I never thought of, I will investigate those.

Just to respond to the suggestion on the ESL amp, I once had the old Innersound ESL amp, and I felt it was rather bright and had more of the SS edge for my taste. This was years back and I understand the Magtech is generations advance, but not sure how much the sound has changed.

I did try my VTL with my old innersound EROS once before and I blew a new tube after short play. I think there was a bit of reaction between the amp and speaker, so haven't try that again since. May be a fluke but didn't want to take any chances.

The thought of sticking with analogue cross over is tempting, but Roger really pitched the many features that came with the digital cross over. The main selling point was the lower crossover point of 177hz which allow the ESL panel to operate in its intended range and I can now use my pair of 1000 watt subwoofer amps to drive the bass :-)

Roger did offer me a trial period to take the analogue crossover if I change my mind. That is the great thing about Roger, customer satisfaction is a real thing to him!

I don't know if I'm being unrealistic, but I was wondering if there are any hybrid amps - tube input/SS output that could handle such a load. I'm also not sure if the digital crossover would negate the value of a partial Tube amp anyway. Just would like to retain the musicality of tube if possible. Don't know if I shouldn't stretch but just stick with a good solid performing SS amp instead.

Gerald
Sean,

The rest of my system is Linn Majik DS player and Music Hall MF7 phono for source. I have the Lamm LL2 Deluxe for pre and I have two sets of amps; the VTL 450MB (this is nicely modded with new caps and golden lion KT88s), my fallback SS amp is the Nuforce Ref8. The nuforce can handle the load of the Innersound, but switching amps are not good mates for ESL speakers. So I'm looking for something class A/B maybe even hybrid.

It's interesting to hear that you hear Roger's recent setup with his new amps. The digital crossover and the upgrade kits should arrive tomorrow and I'll get to experiment with it.

I am still wary of exposing my VTL to those speakers...

Gerald
Spectron Musician III?! I've never heard of it, but seems like something worth checking out.

I had initially been thinking about the Krell or the Ampzilla amps, but the recommendations here for Sunfire, JC1, etc, does give me something to research; thanks!
Sarcher,

I took a look at the Spectron, turns out they too are switching amps which is like my current nuforce Ref 8. They can certainly handle the 2 ohm loads, but as you mentioned Roger has made it clear that switching amps don't pair up well with his speakers.

I did have the old Eros MKI the very first model :-) So this upgrade will be a big jump forward. I actually just got it today and took a bit longer to get it in then I expected because my EROS is so old it didn't have the snap in wire plugs to match the new panel. I had to very carefully cut out the three wires from each panel from plastic snap casing...that took longer than the everything else....but WOW, what a difference!

Even with my nuforce it is sounding great!

These speakers are restrictive on the type of amps that you can mated with, but it's so worth the pain :-)

Enjoying my music and I sense it's going to be a long night...