Amp for Acoustic Zen Crescendo 2 ?

wlutke,

After hearing about your room size and other preferences,

I would highly recommend the combo of the Linear tube audio MZ2S and the Zotl 40,Great sound and synergy,I also tried my Valvet soul shine preamp with the 40 and it was just ok sounding.
I have paired the MZ2S with several different amps and have always heard really good sound even a parasound a21 sounded better than I've ever heard one.

The line magnetics are highly regarded and they should be,I have heard all of them but I have never owned any of them.
The Crescendo's are excellent speakers and as Granny Ring has mentioned they do need some pwr,but I think you would be fine with the LTA gear.

Best of luck to you,
Kenny.

Charles,

I could see this and the Linear Tube Audio ZOTL 40 as both being terrific yet distinctly different in their sonic presentation.

Yes I fully agree,I have heard the LM 508ia driving B&W 802 D speakers and I thought it was good.Out of all the LM amps I think the 508 is the best one,my friend that owns it is fairly local to me and I might be able to borrow it for a day or 2 and see how it sounds with my DI's.I know his amp has EML 300b XLS tubes but I can't remember which 805 tubes he has.I could also maybe use the EML's in my Yamamoto A09s which I have never used that tube.

Kenny.

Hello all,

Bill are you considering the 508ia for your system,If you get one let us know how you like it.

Wig,thank you for all the good info on the 508ia,I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying it.

Charles,

As I’ve often written, there’s no substitute for actually listening to an audio product.

I have always found it to be just priceless and really no better way than to try out different products in my own system,room,and music.

I received a text from my friend that has the 508ia and he said that they are going on vacation in 2 weeks and I could borrow his amp while they are gone but only if I promise him that I will not do any mods to it.Lol.When he comes back from vacation I will loan him my LTA gear for a weekend.


Kenny.

Grannyring,

I would now call your speakers the "Billcendos" 😁😁.

Can you provide a link to the soundcoat product that you used.

Kenny.

Bill,

Thank You for the info,the military surplus stuff looks like it would work just fine in most applications.Dynamat is the only one that I have ever used on driver baskets and inside chassis of components.


Kenny.

Charles,Granny Ring,

I listen at the same levels that you guys do with the occasional louder listening session but usually not for very long.

I also have found as my system has gotten better and better it's much more resolving,engaging and has better dynamics at lwr levels below 78 db.

Kenny.

Grannyring,

Very well said,+1 on all of your statements.

I tell lots of newer people in our hobby that a great system is put together with a set of priorities in mind and at the end of the day we listen to a system as a whole and not the individual components.And Offcourse each one of us has our own list of priorities that are unique to us individually.

I will boldly predict that in 10 yrs or less class d amps and all in one components such as the Lyngdorf will turn the audio industry upside down.A higher percentage of audiophiles will buy them for the convenience,simplicity, potential overall value,and great sound.

You are definitely one of the early adopters and I can tell from your words and statements that you truly love the sound you are hearing with your system and I think that is just totally awesome.

Kenny.

Wig,

Not sure if there is a sound difference between 845 or 805 tubes?

I would say from from my experience from either owning or listening to both of these big transmitter tubes they are more alike having several sonic qualities than being dissimilar.With equal implementation of same level of quality output transformers and each individual circuit design supporting the proper electrical parameters for each tube.Also would need good strong pwr supply's in each type of amp.

I personally have always liked the 805's vs the 845's,
They sounded more balanced and didn't have the upper frequency livelyness that a 845 sometimes can have.I owned a pair of the Mastersound 845 mono's last year but I didn't keep them very long.

And Offcourse I haven't heard all the different amps that use these big tubes.
Maybe someone else will have more insight on this question.

Kenny.

My goodness,

I would be beyond upset also.
I see really no reason not to be accommodating to a buyer with money in hand.

Best of luck to you,
Kenny.