Integrated amp to drive ProAc 1sc

Thank you all for your input! It looks, at this point, that "TUBES IS IT" and that has been my opinion from the start. I however was curious about ss. Keep it coming!

Pepler,
That's really interesting that our experiences comparing the 1SC and the 2.5 are almost completely opposite. Different rooms, different gear. :•)

My room is a bit acoustically challenged, but it's odd how the 2.5s actually soundstage and do the disappearing act better than the 1SCs. Very interesting! My speakers are in front of two openings that lead to small rooms. That could be part of it.

Your experience makes me afraid to switch to another room if need be in the future, heheh.

Do you think you'll get the VAC Avatar? There's a "Super" up for sale right now.

If you decide to go that route, I'd be interested to know how the VAC and 1SCs like each other.

Good luck!

Gunbei - I auditioned in my home the Tablette Sig. before deciding on the 2.5s 7 years ago as I really hoped to find something less expensive. The Tabs were so bright and, as my wife called them, cold sounding that I couldn't even consider them. This with a triode P/P amp.

I then tried the Response 2s in my house and it was beautiful sounding but a bit too beautiful, if you know what I mean. Wonderful late night classical music speakers, though. I finally did spend a 2 1/2 hour private listening session with the 2.5s at the dealer using an 845 SET and an 25 wt SS and fell in love. Bought them that day and have not looked back. In fact, just this past week I treied to sell them to see if I could find something better and more musical, got an offer (on the low side) and decided to withdraw from the market. I just can't let them go! I actually thoroughly enjoy just looking at them and it made me quite sad to see them sitting unplugged my the family room. Last night I dragged them back to listening room and decided in 2 minutes that I'm going to keep them. Besides, this makes my wife very happy as she actually paid for them with her bonus that quarter - and we all know how our wonderful ladies get sentimentally attached to things! (I guess me too.)

I also listened to 1sc with SET amp (Cary 300B which is a bit on the warm, dark side of things) and found the ProAcs etched and uninvolving. But remember, just like we all taste differently, we also listen differently.

Recently, I tested about a dozen integrated amps and settled for the Sugden Masterclass.
Accuphase E530 Class A is also very nice and has alot of features.
Worth a listen.

Tomryan,
The more we all post our ProAc experiences, the more it seems they have a Jekyll and Hyde personality, heheh. Greatly affected by the electronics upstream and their environment.

I can understand you and your wife finding the Tab 50 Sigs sounding thin. I noticed this tendency as well, and chalked it up to the small enclosure. I believe the 1SC uses the same drivers, but in a larger cabinet which may allow the woofer to achieve a fuller sound. I'd guess the crossovers could be different as well.

I'd always wanted a pair of 2.5s, but never thought I'd pull the trigger because of their size. I was lucky A'Gon member Alcides had a beautiful pair in yew wood up for sale. We both live in LA so I was able to see them before I bought them, and I have to admit I had the same reaction to their appearance you just described. As a matter of fact, I still do when I see them. I love their simple elegance, and I think their sound matches their appearance.

Pepler,
This summer I considered getting the VAC Avatar Super as well. It's beautiful looking and from what I've read very nice sounding and quite powerful for only 80 watts. However, for once common sense won out and I decided to put a halt to my run away spending. Now, maybe you can tell me what I missed out on, heheh.

Dean