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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
missioncoonery
1,190 posts
 
Ive never run a MC252 with the minis but have run a 402 into them..didnt like it at all..Mac is too slow and bloated for the Focals IMO..I suggest a X.5 Pass labs amp.
huntermusic
76 posts
 
I owned the JMLab Mini-Utopias for five years. Ultimately they sounded best with Krell EVO 402 and BAT 52se preamp. I think they need more power than many of the amps mentioned above. I also agree that they benefit greatly from a subwoofer or two. I used a single sub, a JM Lab Sub-Utopia and the system acquired a much wider and deeper sound stage, and was much more musical.

I have to say however that the top end of the MIni-Utopias did not have the extension of the more modern speakers of late with the Beryllium tweeters or diamond tweeters. Ultimately the speakers are not as open as some of the newer speakers. Just my two cents.
gherrera1
88 posts
 
I second the Krell recommendation. I'm using Micro-Utopias with a Krell 400xi integrated.

As all the other posts have stated, the speakers require lots of power. I compared the 400xi against Luxman, Arcam, BAT, and a few others I don't remember. The Krell integrated had more control over the speakers that the other amps lacked, except the BAT.

Of course, the BAT integrated is about double the price of a 400xi. It's tubed too and sounded great.

Basically, give them power, tubed or ss.
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