What amplification is best for JMLab Mini Utopias


Hello, dear members. I've finally decided to ask for help, which I feel I should have done looong ago...I have been in this hobby for over a decade and have grown frustrated to the point of giving up. Simply put, I cannot achieve long term satisfaction with my system's overall sound, and need help how to do better as I feel I've done my share of one-time-more-expensive-component-upgrading(as much as my funds allow me) instead of simply putting a record/cd on and be surrounded by musical pleasure for hours.
My question is whether I should try one more time to find an amp/preamp/integrated amp for my JMLab Minis/Utopia Sub/Townshend ribbon supper tweeters, or find different speakers to go along with rest of system. Amps tried- Dynaco ST 70 new rebuilt, Dynaco MKIIIs, N.E.W. DCA-33, CJ Sonograph, Audio Note P2SE(current amp). All of those sound(ed) fine for a while only. Last one also lacks power. Or should I further go down in power, and get a single driver(with added tweeters)speaker-based system? I just recently pulled out from attic a Philips receiver from probably late 60s with 7watts of solid state output power hooked up to a tabletop Telefunken single, crossoverless paper driver speaker and am being astounded with the clarity, immediacy, speed and toe-tapping factor on all kinds of music just listening to FM in mono to the point where I don't want to go back to my main set up. I find the latter uninvolving, slightly mechanical, edgy, dark,much less expressive, and lacking in any excitement. I have also thought of getting AN speakers and build an AN system( I already have the M2 preamp) but used ones don't come often on audiogon, and I haven't had any luck selling or trading mine towards a pair so far... I don't have the luxury of attending audio fests or comparing full set ups at dealers in my area to make things easy. My sources are a Sony SCD-777ES(thinking of adding an AN DAC), VPI MKIV with TNT platter, VPI arm, Revox A-77 half track high speed(15ips) open reel deck, Pioneer tuner, TEAC C-3 cassette deck(recordings from live FM broadcasts on metal tapes rock IMHO. Cables are Kimber Selects. I cannot thank you enough for your shared experience, thoughts, and wisdom. Good listening to all!!
spinlps

Showing 1 response by arch2

Atmasphere is completely right about the Mini Utopias being tube friendly. I have owned Mini's for about 4 years now and have used with a variety of integrated amps, both tube and solid state. I wrote a review here on Audigon of four integrated amps I used with the Mini Utopias you may want to check out. Keep in mind that my comments were based on the Mini Utopias without any type of added subwoofer or super tweeter. I will say my battle cry for the last few years has been simpler is better.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ramps&1229402153

With all the different amps and integrated amps I have used with these speakers, for me, tubes are the clear winner (again, see my review for explanation why). If you want to stick with solid state I also agree you should have 100 watts or higher. With tubes, in particular the Mystere ia21 integrated I'm currently using, I have found its 50 watts to be more than adequate with the vast majority of my music with only a few exceptions.