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Amp recommendations for Tannoy Canterbury SE

I have just purchased the Tannoy Canterbury SE speakers and am driving them with my existing Ayon Audio Triton II KT88-based monoblocks delivering 100 Watts per channel. My only source Ayon CD-5 is connected directly to the Ayon monos, since the CD-5 has got a decent volume control. I listen to mostly very fast and dynamic music including rock, techno and others.

My initial impressions are that I am not getting speed, punch and tight bass. I am wondering if this is possibly due to an amp mismatch. While the tube amp's 100 Watts seem more than adequate for Canterburys 8 ohms and 96db spec, I wish I could get better results.

I am seeking recommendations on what could be the best suitable amp for the Tannoy Canterburies. I am open to both tubes and solid state.
- What could be some of the best Tube Amps as well as Solid State Amps that could be a good match ?
- Existing Tannoy Prestige series speaker owners - what amps do you use ?
- Should I be looking at tube amps which are based on tubes other than KT-88 ?

If you have any other recommendations in positioning/configuring the Canterburies please let me know too.

Many thanks in advance
Wilfred
wilfredt
wilfredt OP
36 posts
 
Dover, thanks. Yes, it makes sense to first finalise the amp and then finalise on the cables.

On a separate note, last weekend when my friend visited my place he suggested to use the 4 ohm tap on the Ayon amps instead of the 8 ohm tap I was using. Although Canterbury was rated 8 ohms, I tried connecting them to the 4 ohm tap and then it was suddenly very interesting. The Tannoys were much faster and with tighter and well controlled base ! I presume this means that the Tannoys present a more difficult load than the specs imply.
sksos1
387 posts
 
Dover a very good customer of mine uses the Canterbury SE speakers and we have tried the Kondo SPz and he also found it not full bodied and lacked bass control over many other cables he settled on some Purist Audio cables, a much better match.

(dealer disclaimer)
lancer181
4 posts
 
Hi Wilfredt
With my canterbury's I run a Bakoon 35 watt class a amp which sounds fantastic. Best to have biwire cables and connect the earth wire as Tannoy say's in there manuel
jburidan
803 posts
 
Art Audio Jota
douger
104 posts
 
Hi Wilfredt
When you originally posted I had ordered a Decware Zen Torii MkIII amp and was anticipating using it. I had been using a pair of Bottlehead 300B Paramount monoblocks, wonderfully clear and musical 8.5 wpc. Very good until I wanted a high volume rock concert or Beethoven's Ninth. Very close, but not quite enough. Next I got a Primaluna Prologue 5, 36 wpc, KT88's, no NFB. Plenty of power, very good sound, just not quite as transparent as the 300Bs...

After I read about the Zen Torii I decided that it would be
good to try it out... el34s, 25 wpc, strong transformers, tube rectification and fully choked. It is advertised as
giving the clarity of 300Bs but more power. I have had mine since early June and it is living up to the promise. I put the Tannoy footers on and realized much better detail and clarity as well. The amps mentioned above by others are certainly quite good, but the Zens are about 3 thousand dollars plus shipping. You may read and decide for yourself at www.Decware.com. There is around a 3 month wait while they build yours, and though you secure the order with a credit card you are not billed until it is shipped.
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