Amp Recommendations


Hello everyone, posting this for a friend.  He's looking for a new amp.  The current setup is 

Audiolab 6000CDT (Transport)

MSB Link upgraded (DAC)

Conrad Johnson PV-11

Pair of Berning EA-230 (used as monoblocks)

Martin Logan Electromotion

Interconnects are Pangea Audio Premier XL

Choseal Speaker cables (replaced Kimber Kable 4 TC)

The Berning amp just doesn't have enough power to run the ML.  He's looking for  (preferably) a tube amp that is at least 100 wpc.  Also open to an integrated amp (also tubed).  New or used is fine and budget is $3 - 5K.  He started looking and is eyeing PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP,  Almaro A50125A, or VAC PA 100/100.  Thoughts/suggestions.

 

jbeckley42

Not surprisingly, I agree with several of the above to replace the MLs. 

BOL

@cooperdude6 Thanks, appreciate it!

@decooney they are very good amps and sound really good, but as the evening goes on and he (and we) get more into the music, the volume knob tends to move past the noon position, you can hear the small Bernings just struggling a little bit, it's not horrible, but after the big berning....it is just so sweet!

Thank you for all the suggestions, they are very helpful

To all those who say replace the speakers...have you heard them in  good system?  We started off with the Berning EA-230's and they sounded good.  Our friend was remodeling his house and lent the Berning EA-2100 and the ML came alive.  This combo sounds as good or better than Spica TC-50, Snell, B&W 683.  

 

To the naysayers...please explain how using two Berning EA-230 can make it sound good, but switching to one Berning EA-2100 makes them sound amazing?  

jbeckley42

I would at least read up on Sanders Sound Systems amplifiers, like the Magtech. They are not tube based, are solid state, but are designed specifically for electrostatic speakers.

They have a great reputation, and as an added bonus, are manufactured by CODA

Thanks. Let me also add a couple of ideas. I am not familiar with that specific model of M-L stats. That said, if the speaker has two sets of speaker binding posts, you could keep the tubes you have on the top panel and then get a decent solid state amp to drive the woofer. I have never done this with mine, so I'm not sure how to balance the sound, but bi-amping might be the solution. Also, I neglected to mention the prima Lunas. I have heard excellent things about their tubes and tube hybrids, but I have no first hand experience with M-Ls. You should be able to find a dealer to work out an in-home trial with the rest of your gear, since PL is a fairly common brand now.