what solid state amps for the soundlab u-1

so i definitely want to stick with the u-1 . thanks guys i geuass it's time for me so try to set up some things schedule wise. thanks again

The U-2 has the same radiating area as the M-3, but it has a tubular steel frame similar to the U-1 though smaller in diameter, hence somewhat less rigid although the panel is smaller. Nealhood is correct, Sound Lab will build U-2s or most of their other models upon request, and they do custom work as well. They also built some U-3s which were similar in size to M-2s and A-3s (this is where it gets confusing :-). The M-1s, A-1s, and U-1s share similar size panels. Any of you fellow planar-heads curious about comparisons of other Sound Lab models present and past are welcome to contact me offline; I love talking about them almost as much as listening to them :-)

Brian

The U2 is now discontinued but, was basically a smaller version of the U1 - a no holds barred electrostatic speaker. In fact I believe Soundlab will still make a U2 if requested. It was not discontinued for being old or out of date, just that Soundlab apparently considered that only one flagship speaker was appropriate. And, probably that their existing offerings (including the newer Millenium series) offered much of the performance of the U2 at a lower cost. I am speculating somewhat on both these points though. Frame features and construction is virtually identical to the U1. The actual panel size in the U2 is somewhere in between the M3 and M2 panels. But the overall speaker size is more akin to the M2.

If you have any interest in the U2 then contact Soundlab and, with a little bit of patience (or a whole lot) you should get a more accurate answer to your questions - tho be it known - it could take a while.

guy's you still have not explained to me what the u-2- is. how is it different from the u-1 ? is it a replacement for the u1?

Don't know why my two previous attempts to post to this thread didn't make it, but I'll try again.

Audfile74: A pair of Sound Lab U-2s (similar in size to M-3s) I sold were driven by an Innersound ESL-300 amp, which is capable of driving the speakers to fairly loud levels, though you may prefer other amplifiers, including some mentioned in this thread. The speakers readily reveal the character of everything else in the chain, especially amps that are bright, too laid back or polite, and so on. If the sound is either fatiguing or uninvolving, keep looking.

Rwwear: Interesting story. The Fouriers could be spooky good but were finicky. I owned one of their stereo amps at one time.

Brian

Among the amps I'd recommend with your U-1's include models from Parasound (JC-1), Pass Labs, Levinson, Accuphase, Jeff Rowland, Clayton Audio, and Warner Imaging. I'm sure there are others, but I'm limiting my comments here to my own experiences. Disclaimer - I peddle some of these lines (as well as Sound Labs).

If wall juice is indeed a limiting factor, you might want to consider the Model 501's from Jeff Rowland.

Duke

I remember a few years ago when I worked for a Soundlab dealer we were running the Fourier OTL amps with the A1s. I brought my old Krell KSA 250 over and everyone was surprised at how well the Krell did with the Soundlabs especially since they were such a high impedence. Since then the owner of the store has switched over to Krell for his own amp.

i was not aware that there was a u-2 the website only lists the u1.

The Innersound ESL-300 works fine with U2's so, I would assume it would work equally well with the U-1's. This is one generation removed and I have not heard the current genertion Innersound amps but, one can only assume they would work equally well, or better. The Parasound JC-1's also are reported to work well with Soundlabs.

Yet when it comes to Soundlabs, in my opinion the Atmasphere amps (especially the MA-1 and 2) reign supreme. You must try one of these when you set up a dedicated listening room.