As a former Extrema owner for almost 3 years, I will say you need a lot more than what EAR can pump out to drive the Extrema. I have tried several amps, my favorite back then was McCormack DNA-2. Pass X350, Rowland 8Ti HC, and numerous others just did not do it for me with Extrema even though I like Pass or McCormack on other speakers.
If budget is not a big issue, I highly recommend Goldmund with Extrema. I have heard Goldmund with Marten Coltrane recently and Goldmund really deserves the high price tag. In general, Swiss makes best pre/power while Germans make best sources.
In terms of room size, my room was 13x18 or so and I have them against the short wall, 3' from side wall and 5' from rear wall (measuring from the back of speakers). They threw a huge soundstage, wide and deep.
But unless you are dead set with Extrema, technology has improved and Extrema just does not stand the test of time in this fast moving world. There are lots of new tweeter technologies that surpass Dynaudio Esotar by a big margin. Also, Extrema does not work well with tubes and to me that is a big drawback.
If budget is not a big issue, I highly recommend Goldmund with Extrema. I have heard Goldmund with Marten Coltrane recently and Goldmund really deserves the high price tag. In general, Swiss makes best pre/power while Germans make best sources.
In terms of room size, my room was 13x18 or so and I have them against the short wall, 3' from side wall and 5' from rear wall (measuring from the back of speakers). They threw a huge soundstage, wide and deep.
But unless you are dead set with Extrema, technology has improved and Extrema just does not stand the test of time in this fast moving world. There are lots of new tweeter technologies that surpass Dynaudio Esotar by a big margin. Also, Extrema does not work well with tubes and to me that is a big drawback.