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The best amp or improvement for Dahlquist DQ-10's

I have been looking at and listening to many speakers but every time I come home to my DQ-10's I still enjoy them most. Their flaw, and the reason I'm looking, is the bass driver and/or the bass enclosure. The sound is not "tight" or "punchy" enough. I've read that this can be alleviated with certain amps. (Although I am skeptical). I've even contemplated changing the bass driver and bass enclosure.

MY QUESTIONS: Is there a speaker out that has the same mid's and high's but with "tight" bass? Is there an amp that really could tighten this "loose" bass? (No suggestions over 2k used market).

SETUP: I have a Rega Planet cd player and Rega 25 turntable feeding an Audible Illlusions 3A pre-amp with Amperex gold pin 6922's going into a Rotel 980BX 100 watt per channel amp.

ALL HELP APPRECIATED - THANKS
imin2u
crawfojb
13 posts
 
I was about to get rid of my DQ10s for some Maggies. But they were sold. However, the guy had a modded ARC D90B and SP8 and he assured me that I have never heard what the DQ10 can really do. He talkrd me in to it and it was the best combination I have ever heard with the possible exception of the original Ampzilla II and Thaedra by the GAS company. But these are next to impossible to find. Because of their jFETs they sounf like tube amps but have the power of solid state. I only paid about $2000 for the used RAC equipment but I think your preamp is fine.
zootr
2 posts
 
I have owned my DQ-10,s since 1976, but have recently upgraded the amp to a Mission 777 and a Audio Research SP-3A-1 tube preamp. The bass has improved consideralby along with openness. I am now looking for a set of the origional optional stands that place the speakers 8'' to 12'' above the floor level OR could someone provide the measurments for the stand components, so that I could build my own? Thaks Much, Zootr
don_s
270 posts
 
Zootr,

I built my own stands from solid (1.5" thick) walnut and made them about 2" higher than the factory stands. I just used one piece in the middle and made the stands "I" shaped. I think the factory one had three uprights. Was there more than one factory stand to choose from? Now I am thinking there was a cheap one (particle board?) with one center like the one I built and a walnut one with three uprights. That was a long time ago.

I can't send you measurements because mine were stolen along with the speakers.

Don't forget to add a small (1/4"?) strip to to the front of the top to tilt the speakers back. Good luck. I highly recommend using a stand.
zootr
2 posts
 
Don_s, Thanks for the information on the speaker stands. I will probably build my own so thanks for the input about the 1/4" strip along the front edge.

ZOOTR
don_s
270 posts
 
Zootr,

Good luck. I think the strip was 1/4" thick. Maybe it was 3/8" or 3/4". I copied the factory design on that part of the stand but my memory could be wrong about the thickness. Hopefully someone with factory stands will post some measurements otherwise you may have to play with that part to make the speakers stable on the stands but not get too much backward tilt and throw off the driver alignment the Dahlquists are so famous for.

Try to achieve the same tilt you get with the little feet that come standard with the speakers. Hopefully that will keep the time alignment correct.
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