Tannoy Speaker Owners


I have Tannoy DC8Ti speakers.  I'm planning to retire sometime this year, and want to try tubes before I do. I'm wondering what amps, tubes or otherwise, other Tannoy owners have. I'm only interested in power amps.  I've tried the Tannoy's with each of my three solid state power amps: Pioneer SPEC-4 (~36 years old) ; McIntosh MC2600 (~ 25 years old); and NAD M22v2 (1 year old). The NAD sounds best in my system: wider sound stage with better instrument separation, timbre, musicality, detail, etc.  

My current system:  Herron VSTP-3A(r02) pre amp, NAD M22v2 power amp, Innous Zenith MKII media player, Small Green Computer i7 for Roon DSP, Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE DAC, Parasound JC3jr phone pre, and Technics SL-1200G TT w/ Ortofon Quintet Black.

My listening room is small ~13'x12'x8'.  I listen to contemporary jazz (no John Coltrane , Miles Davis, etc) and old school R&B (none of today's Hip Hop or Rap).  I love vocals (e.g., Gregory Porter, Diana Krall, Angela Glaupo, Randy Crawford, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Chicago); non-vocal music (e.g., The Crusaders, Arne Domnerus, Brad Mehldau, Dave Grusin, Stanley Clarke) and the combination of both (e.g., War, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Santana).

I'd like to audition whatever I buy in my system.  I'd prefer to start looking at amps that others are using. My budget is ~$7500, and I'm in no rush.

I'm not opposed to used, and there are several deals on agon at the moment. In particular a Zesto Audio Bia 120 that is about 60% below retail.  In my area, there are several high-end audio stores and independent manufactures that produce high-quality / reference grade components.  I realize there's the usual suspects (Cary, Rogue, PrimaLuna, Luxman, etc.).  I also plan to visit the local manufactures.




128x128oldschool1948

Showing 2 responses by david_ten

@oldschool1948  I hope non-Tannoy folks can chime in...

What volumes do you typically listen at? I ask because your DC8Ti are not the most efficient and different than prototypical Tannoys, in that regard; However, your room is small.

Specifications copied below, as they may be helpful for recommendations:

PERFORMANCE
Recommended amplifier power (Watts RMS)30 – 200 Continuous power handling (Watts RMS) 100 Peak power handling (Watts)400
Sensitivity (2.83 Volts @ 1m) 89dB Nominal Impedance (Ohms) 8
Frequency response (-6dB) 33Hz – 35kHz
Dispersion (degrees conical) 90
DRIVE UNITS
Dual Concentric™ high frequency 25mm (1”) Titanium dome with Tulip WaveGuide™
Dual Concentric™ low frequency 200mm (8”) treated paper pulp cone with rubber surround. 44mm (1.75”) edge wound voice coil
Bass Driver
200mm (8”) treated paper pulp cone with rubber surround.  44mm (1.75”) edge wound voice coil
CROSSOVER
Crossover frequency 250Hz, 1.5kHz
Crossover type Passive low loss 2nd order LF, 1st order HF
Deep Cryogenically Treated
CONSTRUCTION Enclosure
Type Rear ported Volume 43L (1.52 cu. ft.)Dimensions (H x W x D)
excl grille 1025 x 271 x 260mm
(40.4 x 10.7 x 10.2”)Weight 28kg (62.839lbs)
@oldschool1948 +1 to @atmasphere ’s post.


Given your ’smaller’ room size and because you are "now [keeping your] listening levels low to moderate..."

...I suggest investing in quality, even if it means going slightly lower in power output than would be ideal for your current speakers (especially given your listening levels and room size).

This will pay off should you follow @cd318 ’s suggestion to move up to larger [and more efficient] Tannoys. Though you are making decisions based on your upcoming retirement, allow for some flexibility and ’space’ to get to where you want to!