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Revel Salon 2 Amplification Questions

Currently my Salon 2s are powered by a Plinius SB-301 fed by a Plinius M8 (Ayre C-5xeMP front end).

I have been and remain quite happy with this setup, but upgraditis may be kicking in (I should have followed someone's sage advice to stop reading audio forums for at least two years after assembling my system).

Specifically I am curious to know whether anyone is using these speakers with any of the following SS brands: Symphonic Line, FM Acoustics, Clayton, Gryphon, Karan, MBL or Accuphase (but feel free to weigh in with other suggestions of a like quality). And, if so, what they like/dislike about their gear, both pre and power amps.

I am only interested in SS power amps, but am open to a tubed pre. The Salon 2s are power hogs and while most of my listening is below 90db, every so often I wanna pretend I'm 14 again and crank Houses of the Holy at 110+ db and I don't think tube power amps can get me there.

My tastes run to mostly classic rock (Stones, Grateful Dead, The Who, Elton John etc.) with occasional detours into symphonies or jazz. I prefer strong bass that when played at volume can be felt as well as heard, clear but not bright treble and mids that are rich and not too forward - I guess the audiophile term would be slightly dark.

The system is in a 28'x16' sunroom with a 15' cathedral ceiling and a 9x5x8 bumpout on the left rear. There is lots of glass and I have not treated the room (nor do I intend to as it was built to enjoy the view), so I want to avoid anything that really emphasizes the high end. But I do want fast amplification with the ability to convey both micro and macro dynamics.

The Plinius gear actually does quite well achieving these goals, and unless there's a significant upside with the brands I've mentioned vis-a-vis Salon 2s then I have no real reason to change. But if it can get much better, then let me know.

p59teitel
p59teitel OP
288 posts
 
"the key component that really brings the music to life is the BAT Rex preamp that I am using. The solid state amp with the tube pre is really a most musical combination. the sound is never tiring, and low level listening is just as pleasurable."

After having the benefits of a tubed pre + SS amp combo drummed into me by both my audio gurus in recent conversations - and with additional reinforcement like yours - I've just committed to taking a plunge into the tubed pre-amp waters.

And there may even be some additional experimentation with a pair of highly regarded mono blocks. The unfortunate part is that in-home empiricism with this gear means cash outlay BEFORE knowing the results of the trial, but that's how it goes.

Details to follow...
johnss
291 posts
 
I would opt for a pair of JC1 mono blocks. Would be a good match for the revels.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
Interesting how you prefer to using a tube preamp and solid state power amp. I always felt that combo would be good technically, but found out other wise when I tried it with a few of my systems. Synergy is such a big thing I don't think we can paint with such a broad brush either way.
seattlehifi
70 posts
 
Tmsorosk,

I agree it is not easy to execute with stunning results and with proper impedance matching between amp and pre. My recommendation to P59teitel, if he must try a tube preamplifier with his SS amp, would be to demo several ARC models or the VTL 7.5. However, if he wishes to have a warmer/smoother systemm, yet still retain the detail that the Salon 2's are known for, I maintain that it can be achieved by addressing the source/dac - and that route is usually easily well executed.

Best,
Burt
ritmo
99 posts
 
I have a pair of the Salon 2s. I use ARC to drive them - a combination consisting of the ARC Ref5SE and the DS450. In my 16X19X9 room, the DS does a very nice job driving the Salon 2s.

I have considered moving to the DS450M (monos) but I'm not sure if this is a worthwhile upgrade. Have also considered a couple of other options - ARC Ref250s (not sure if these would struggle with the Salon 2s), Pass 600.5, Bryston 28 SST2s, and a few others. But frankly, the DS450 is doing a pretty good job right now.

Mike
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