2. amps-preamps
  3. 1021443733

Amp for Paradgim Studio 100

Just upgraded from Paradigm mini-monitors to Studio 100's. Now I'd like to get a great amp to match these great speakers. I have an Arcam 72T Cd player which is very revealing and forward which when combined with the metal tweeter can sound a bit bright at time. Been thinking of getting the Musical Fidelity A300cr amp or Odyssey monoblocks. Which one would be better? Looking for something to tame the 100's as well. Do these amps have a warm but detailed sound to them?
merlocpm2227
merlocpm2227 OP
6 posts
 
Or how about the McCormack DNA 225?
aball
2,016 posts
 
My 100s have McIntosh amp and preamp (MC7100 and C712) for the best sound I have heard from these speakers. I had Krell KSA100 and Classe 150 on them, each for a long time, and found the McIntoshes to be magical on these speakers. The Krell was too bright and thin, and the Classe was missing some of the emotion that the McIntoshes manage to bring out. With the Macs, the highs are like crystal but never with an edge, deep tight bass, spine-tingling mids, and pure smoothness all around. I just love my current setup. BTW, Im also using MIT T2 balanced and unbalanced, and biwired, Sony ES changer.
merlocpm2227 OP
6 posts
 
How do the Macs compare with the McCormack? Are they similar sounding?
aball
2,016 posts
 
Hey
I have only listened to one McCormack and frankly I dont remember the model. It was not especially memorable apparently. McIntosh, BAT, and Classe in general catch my attention musically (in somewhat that order).
kzx0v6ac90
1 posts
 
I am running an Anthem MCA-20 (225Wpc) through my 100v2's and am very happy with it. It is inexpensive compared to the Brystons and Bel Canto's but decent nonetheless. I am using an Onkyo 747 A/V receiver as preamp for the time being and while not perfect, I don't find the sound hot in the treb. Some bad recordings can sound that way of course but on the whole I am happy with the high frequency. There is better certainly, but at what price? Well matched speaker cable could be important for the overall sound of the 100's in the high end. I am using Harmonic Tech Pro 11's at the moment in a single run configuration hooked to the lower terminals. Am on the hunt for better jumpers. I think the important thing is to try a quality name brand amp and see what you get. Anthem is owned by the same folks as Paradigm.
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