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Devore O/96 with high powered amplifiers

Just picked up a used pair of Devore O/96 and am awaiting delivery. Still have a pair of McIntosh MC501s (500W) and a pair of Quicksilver V4s (170W) that I used with my previous speakers.

Before I sell the amplifiers for something with less power, I plan to at least try them with the O/96s.

What can I expect to hear? What issues might I encounter?

 

 

allison2
allison2 OP
38 posts
 

The Atma-Sphere OTL is a good suggestion.  I've read that they are a good match with O/96.

cold_pillow
6 posts
 

Not an O/96 owner, but I did watch Ken Micallef's interview of John Devore where they discuss John's system. In it John, mentions that some high-powered amps do not like the O/96's high impedance. His example was the change from a long-time Parasound A21 reference to a JC5. The JC5 did not mesh well with the O/96. 

https://youtu.be/i9WYbi7afGQ?si=JcvofgN0tugIoA3R

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,404 posts
 

@fsonicsmith @cold_pillow 

The DeVore can do bass nicely but its important to keep in mind the speaker is not designed for a tube amp with a higher damping factor. At shows DeVore is often seen using an SET with no feedback which has a lower damping factor. He is relying on this for the speaker to make bass properly.

This is why some higher powered amps might not be ideal on this speaker. Its not the power that's the issue- its the fact that the speaker is not meant to be heavily damped by the amp.

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kennyc
2,881 posts
 

+1 Leben CS600 is a great match for the O/96.

Congrats on the O/96! After demoing many speakers at audio shows and stores, the O/96 are one of the best “musical” speakers I’ve heard.  

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