Amp for Acoustic Zen Crescendo 2 ?


Hello all,
I have these speakers for 2 months now and want to move on to a tube amp of 50 - 60 wpc or so, or a SS amp that fits the bill..  My current amp is an Ayre V-5xe.  I'm looking for an amp to sweeten up the top end and has a midrange that does vocals full and articulate, even if that means colored.  The Ayre is a great amp but I think there is a better match out there.  I'll have to save up for used, under $5K.  I'm especially interested with what actual owners would say, as well as their system specifics, but all comments welcome.  Acoustics and speaker placement are fixed and substandard.  That's just the way it goes at our house.
I'm using a steel arm VPI TT with Ortofon Cadenza Bronze, ARC PH-7 and REF 3.  Thanks.

wlutke

Showing 2 responses by debjit_g

Hi Folks,

I have the Crescendo Mk2 for sometime but the speaker placement is quite challenging. My room is 19x15x8. In all shows Robert places these speaker away of the front wall not every room will have the luxury of. At times I have seen that the listening position is way too close because of the speakers being away from the front wall. Wondering how far are the speakers from the front wall in your setup and what is the listening position ?
@wlutke thanks! Did you go into Robert's new facility in Escondido or the older place in San Diego ? I have also been to the newer one and find the sound is just ok compared to his setup in the shows with the Triode Corp.
I have been trying all sorts of placement, hearing it for couple of days and finding another position sounds slightly better. It looks like a forever daunting task. What I am generally finding is placing well out from the front wall increases depth but also losses room reinforcement and could sound lean depending on the room. I guess getting a balance is the key.