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Vienna Mozart Grand or Beethoven Baby Grand

Anyone compared these two? I am trying my friends old Mozart (the pre-Grand model) and its really good but considering stepping up to the Beethoven Baby Grand. I have a Moon I-3RS amp, goes really well with the Mozarts.

Also the Hifi News Aug 08 review of the Beethoven Baby Grand suggests it could be a demanding amp load as the minimum impedance gets down to 1.5ohms (average is 4ohms). Does anyone know what this means? My amp, the Simaudio moon I-3RS is rated 200W at 2ohm - could the speakers damage the amp when the impedance gets low?
Thanks for your help in advance.
acdvd

Showing 7 responses by guidocorona

guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Miner, the B&K reference 200.2 S2 apparently has a stated damping factor of 450, which should be quite good for driving the Mozarts without bloat. I honestly have no idea what the problem may have been, except perhaps for equipment not well broken in.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Acdvd, a damping factor of 200 is fairly reasonable. . . higher than that of my old Rowland Model 7 mono amp behemoths. You can expect a very slight flaring of the bass, which in fact you are likely to find rather pleasing to the ears. . . but should not encounter any obvious problems. Regardless, remember that speakers need to be broken in. . . a lot, lest they sound sterile. Guido
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Miner, which model of B&K was the dealer using?
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Acdvd, I am an admitted fan of Vienna speakers. . . they are true musical instruments! It is also true that they enjoy being driven relatively stoutly for best results. Your Moon I-3RS should be fine. . . with its damping factor of 200 you can expect a slight flaring/warming of the bass, which you may actually find to be quite pleasing. If I recall correctly I heard them a couple of times driven by a Primare integrated whose power rating was similar to your Moon. G.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Miner42, with what amp did you drive the Mozarts? The bass of Vienna speakers in general can sound warm/bloated when driven by amplifiers with a low damping factor. Guido
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
The damping factor for an amp is usually published as such in the specifications of an amplifier. If you can't find the info on the manufacturer's web site, please get in touch directly with your dealer or with the manufacturer itself.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Beerad, I am delighted to learn that Baby Grands work well with Primaluna amps. . . I have heard the Prologue at PSCIALLI's place and thought it was an amazing sounding amp in its own right. G.
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