Zu Druids - Two years after

I was running the Druid MKIVs with a pair of Gilmore Raptor monoblocks (class D, 250WPC into 8 ohms) and they sounded excellent, but I was using a tube preamp as well.

One thing's for sure, they will get LOUD with that kind of a setup, but the Druids stayed remarkably clean and coherent on the occasions when I did crank it up. I would assume the Essence would be similar in that regard.

An update from me. I have moved my Druids from largeish living room to small 11 x 13 office. I have them on the long wall and they still sound fabulous. So much so I have sold my $9,000 when new speakers. I have purchased a Mini Method to supplement the bass which should be here this week so will be hoping I can successfully integrate this into my small room and not muddle the dynamics and tone I am loving. The druids with 300b amp and Bent passive pre (I am convinced there is serious synergy here) are so good that I am re-working my way through my 1000 deep cd collection and its the proverbial hearing the music like it was new from every cd I spin.

Anyone running their Zu speakers with the Red Wine 30.2?

Loxllxol, Proceed AVP2 and Amp 5.

Re: using high-power amps: I tried my Druid Mk IV's with an Emotiva RPA-2 (Class H 350w into 4ohms) and it sounded insanely clear. Although the highs and lows were a bit glaring and exaggerated, I was pleasantly surprised by the realness conveyed with that setup. Oddly enough, I tried a 300b amp (Omaha Audio 300b) and it was way too dark and congested sounding. Also the hum was a deal breaker for me!

Now I'm running the Druids with a Pass Aleph 3 (Class A, 30w) and the sound is very natural and fairly analog sounding. I am also using a tube DAC and tube pre (Monarchy M24). This is all in a small bedroom 10x12.