Amp advice for Sound Lab M-2's


Looking for opinions for a amp to use with my Sound Lab M-2 speakers. I am down to considering the Bryston 7b – SST, Parasound JC – 1, and the new Sanders Sound ESL amp. The former owner of the M-2’s used a Pass X-350, but I found that it sounded dry, and very thin. No warmth at all. Lots of older Krells out there, great bottom ends, but again often very cool sounding. I’m not that familiar with the Levinson’s, another option, maybe. The Sound Labs do need a good honest 300 watts > 8 ohms, and 600 watts > 4 ohms. Most amps don’t have the combination of voltage and current ratings to handle the speakers. I am leaning towards the Brystons. Overall they seem to be an amp that is easy to live with, while maybe not the best over all, they do a lot right. Ideas and experiences appreciated. By the way, the listening room is 23x21, with a ceiling that is 9 feet on one long wall, and slopes up to 16 feet on the other long wall. 15 feet of the highest long wall is open right in the middle of the wall. So the room can really suck up speaker output. Thanks.
gammastrep

Showing 1 response by hi_hifi

The best Soundlabs I've heard were with tubes. Wolcotts are popular with SL users as are Atmasphere amps. VTL MB450 and up and possibly some ARC amps are worth considering. A used ARC VT200 MkI (better than the II imo) would be a cost effective solution.

I'd definitely explore the tube amps (and preamps). The M2s are outstanding speakers and they will provide detail and imaging and bloom and air and everything from lows to highs with great non-fatigue if you marry them to a good tube amp.

Let us know what you hear when you get it all together.