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Looking for Amp suggestions or Avalon speakers

I am in the process of downsizing due to a smaller living space and think i have settled on Avalons (either the Ascendants or the Ideas) for my new speakers as their footprint is acceptable to my spouse and i like their sound.

My old amps are the Sonic Frontier Power 3 monoblocks but sadly probably have to give those up as well due to the amount of space they take up. I have also always liked the Conrad Johnson sound (haven't heard alot of other amps so wanted to give an idea of a sound that i have liked over the years).

I have always preferred tubes to solid state but i have heard some say they think the Avalon's sound better with solid state?

In either case, i'm looking for suggestions for an amp that would mate well with the Avalon's. I'm fine with buying used equipment. Looking for something in the under $5,000 range (though of course would love to get away with spending less if i can).

Thanks in advance for all suggestions.
dkonstruction
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,626 posts
 
When you read back I will read that I love how it is build. They are different compared to others. I like brands who dare to be different. I sold it for over 6 years of time. I also sold it to friends as well.

It is personally not my speaker. We are talking about a personal taste. I can create a superior phycical stage with instruments and voices which are more apparent and realistic in proportion. Even those who own Avalon I have shown them that I have a much more touchable image than they have. Don't forget this is my job and world. As a perfectionist it never stops. It always needs to be better.

I prefer magico over Avalon. Again it is a personal thing. Nothing more, nothing less!
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,626 posts
 
I also think the .8 series of Pass Labs whill be a great choice. I will buy a X350.8 this year. But for Avalon I would go for the XA series. Because Avalon needs a warmer mid freq.

I think Avalon will work great with XA100.8 and a tube pre amp. I owned the XP-20. It is a good pre amp, but it is not perfect.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,626 posts
 
When you play a cello or double bass with Avalon you get some
coulration in the low-mid freq. It is pronounced a litte more
than in real.

This year I sold a pair of Pl-200's to a person who plays a
double bass. He played a few songs for me. Here I had the same
experience again. It is more clean in the mid freq. With
Thiel&partner it is too much.

Monitor Audio uses speakerunits made of ceramics with
alluminium. This gives it a faster response compared to
Thiel&partner units. This gives it a more natural and
realistic sound.
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