2. amps-preamps
  3. 134019-108740

Needing advice

Hello everyone. 

    I would love some advice on a power amplifier to pair with my Martin Logan ESL's. I am still very new to the audio world and am having a hard time trying to figure out what amp I should be looking at. I recently purchased some brand new ESL's at a great price to pair with my Yamaha Aventage 2050 and even though they sound good they just don't sound as good as when I listened to them in my local audio video store. I have absolutely no regrets on the purchase and know when they are paired with the right equipment they can sound amazing. I know opinions can be very different and I know listening to them in a store that uses much higher end product and better room setup then I have also plays a huge part. 

    I would like to keep the price under $1k (which I know might limit my options) and the type of music I listen to ranges from Frank Sinatra to Tool.  They will also be used for my home theater and I would say my listening ratio would be 60/40 in favor of movies. The subs I use are 2 dynamo 700's  and have positioned the ESL's based on Martin logans recommendation. I have tried to do research on Emotiva, Rotel, Parasound, Outlaw audio, B&K, Peachtree and the more I read the more I realized I still have a lot to learn. 

Thank you everyone in advance for any advice you can give. 
Craig
cvbryso
jollygreenaudiophile2's avatar
jollygreenaudiophile2
72 posts
 
In the price range you are looking at. Without going vintage which can be hit or miss. I have noticed some used Rotel amplifiers on Ebay that might work for you. The RB-1080 is nice but can be bright. Class A/B 200 wpc. at 8ohm and built like a tank. If you have a little patience I’ve seen them go for $300.
But since you said "60/40 movies with your surround system", There have been a few Rotel RMB-1575’s available at your price point. And having 6ohm ESL speakers that will drop to 4ohm’s at times I read. They might be a nice fit. Five channels "All driven", rated 250/500 wpc at 8/4ohm should give you power and detail enough. And an easy load for the amp to run. And then you could upgrade the power to your center and surrounds as well with the remaining three channels.
oldwaverider
1 posts
 
Craig,

When I listen to the ESL’s they do sound pretty darn nice with the NAD 368, 80 Watts $895 w/o media streaming card), though better with the 388. https://nadelectronics.com/product/c-368-hybrid-digital-dac-amplifier/

If you haven’t listened to Rogue Audio out of Pennsylvania, their Sphinx would drive the ESL’s very nicely (no DAC, but has headphone amp & phono preamp & can work with theater by setting volume but that’s another thread). THEIR MARKETING IS VERY VERY BASIC LOOKING BY THE WAY, so ignore that. The Cronus Magnum II (out of your price range which is $2500 absolutely blows alway the ESL’s. Even blows away the ESL 9’s, and 11’s too :)

The Sphinx is hybrid integrated, 100 WPC, at $ 1500. Also has outputs for Subs.

http://www.rogueaudio.com/PDFs/Sphinx%20v2.pdf

cvbryso OP
1 posts
 
Thank you all so much for your advice. I have been a lurker on here for a while now trying to learn as much as I can and have noticed how knowledgable everyone seems to be. I plan on using the Pre outs on my Yamaha 2050 atm until I can get dedicated seperates. I am even considering selling 1 of my dynamo 700's and use those funds to up my spending on a good power amp. My hope would be the two 8 inch woofers in the ESL's would produce enough bass to compensate for the loss experienced with going down to 1 dynamo. 
jollygreenaudiophile2's avatar
jollygreenaudiophile2
72 posts
 
http://https//www.ebay.com/usr/orlous5  I have purchased from this guy several times. He stands by everything he sells.  messaged him and he said he had several amps an pre' set he could offer you at your price point. He garantee's everything that he sells. Most of the gear he sells isn't on ebay though. But he lists it as people ask. 
And sells through Ebay.
More to discover