Tannoy Legacy Ardens - which amp suggestions for 15 big ass babies


Source streamer LINN Klimax Renew DS and turntable rega RP8

This is more of a what if?? Just got new speakers and wouldn’t change amp for a few months ...... I’m using my existing Croft 25r pre into ATC P1 power amp at the moment - I cant hear anything wrong but there’s always that niggle maybe something else will bring something more out. The ATC P1 is class ab at 150w but speakers are 93db so no lack of power. I tried my
leben 300xs with its 15w in for a evening but only sounded as good if sparse vocal type music - anything more complicated saw much better retrieval and detail and musicality from croft / ATC combo. Deep bass brilliantly controlled where the Leben went farty (sorry for description) 
so wodnering if there is alternative that people use with fat ass tannoys. Seen some mention Luxman class a like the 590 others Tron amps or icon audio. Would prefer European or British as better value for money here .....

music listened to varied lots of singer songwriter folk country pop rock - little heavy rock and hardly any classical

thanks for your thoughts rich
128x128richdirector

Showing 1 response by islandmandan

I've heard the opinion the Ardens can use additional internal bracing and dampening. There is Hans Hilberink's Tannoy site, and Hans' Yahoo Tannoy forum (Hans being the moderator), a tremendous amount of information available from either one. You can post questions, and get answers from Tannoy owners all over the globe.

With my custom Tannoys (HPD 315's, ca 1975 12" DC drivers, that have upgraded "Hard Edge" surrounds, custom crossovers and internal wiring). I've used quite a few amplifiers, with good to great effect, solid state to start out with, then tube amps. At this time, I'm using a Class D Audio (two modules bridged, outputting 500 Wpc), for everyday listening, and an SET 300B for vinyl listening. Both have their advantages, the SET sounding gorgeous, the Class D makes them sit up and pay attention. They sound great with both.

Good luck, and enjoy your Ardens,
Dan