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Amp for Genesis 500's?

I've been using an ARC VT100 MKIII with my Genesis 500 loudspeakers since 2001. I am going to try something different and was thinking of looking for an Ayre V3 or perhaps a BAT amp, tubed or solid state. The ARC was a great match with the speakers; what in your opinion would also match well? Is it really best to stick with a tube amp? Because these speakers have their own bass servo amp I don't need gobs of power.
sc53
sc53 OP
718 posts
 
Thanks for the responses; I am glad to see there are some other Genesis fans out there! You don't hear much about Genesis but the sound of my 500's is the one thing I never find fault with or get tired of. I agree with Mooch, I think I can use less power (and spend less $$) with these speakers, maybe 60 watts. Tubes definitely sound great with my speakers, but I"m also interested in trying out SS again. Thanks for the ideas.
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
Shhh... Some privileges should be earned, not just bought.
glassvacuum
1 posts
 
It's amazing. I have a pair of 500's being driven by a pair of VTL MB225T tube amps and was thinking of trying SS also. Nothing too exotic, but able to do at least 15 watts of pure class A.

I was thinking maybe a Nelson Pass or John Curl design.

I also built an Assemblage ST-40 when Sonic Frontiers was around and that amp makes the 500's lifeless.

I don't know if you're budget will allow it (mine sure won't), but I've heard a pair of 500's with a pair of Cary CAD-805's driving them. Total amazing. Aural orgasm!!

If you really want to try SS, make sure the amp of choice can handle driving 3 ohms. That's the average impedance. These speakers flirt with 1.75 ohms between 400Hz and 500Hz. That is a huge demand for any amplifier.
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