Good suggestions here. I currently have several pairs of Aerials including the 7Bs. I've tried a lot of amps on them. Some made 10% of the CDs sound phenomenal while raking the others over the coals while others made 90% of them sound average but not bad. I've settled on two amps that I think do a great job but they do sound different. First I have an McIntosh MC-402 - smooth, emminently listenable, nice overall sound. Secondly I have a Bel Canto S-500 on my 7Bs in my bedroom system. Sounds very good. The bass is good, detail good, not grating.
Two very different amps that both sound good with Aerials. I'm thinking about picking up a pair of 500Ms as there was a price drop recently. I may move my S500 to a third system with a pair of Aerial 6s. I've A-B'ed the 6s and 7s on the Bel Canto and the 7s do have more bass and my wife let me leave the 7s in the bedroom so who am I to argue. :)
If I were still looking for amps (I seem to be off the proverbial merry-go-round for now) I'd try a McCormack or a Plinius. Also had an Electrocompaniet that sounded very good on the 7s. One thing I love about the Bel Canto - you can leave it on and it's not using any power to speak of... something like 17 watts on idle.
If I were you, I try the Bel Canto before trying something super heavy (lbs) like the Pass or the McIntosh. BTW, I tried the Pass 250 on the 7s and although a very competent amp and maybe the best customer service around, it just wasn't quite what I was looking for. The heat the thing throws off is incredible. My wife said "there's something wrong with your new amp, the whole room is heating up." It was true and is normal operation for the Pass. The McIntosh heats up only a minimal amount. The McIntosh may not have the dynamics and bass you desire. I think the Pass sounds similar to the Mc but maybe a little more detailed.
Let us know what you go with.
Two very different amps that both sound good with Aerials. I'm thinking about picking up a pair of 500Ms as there was a price drop recently. I may move my S500 to a third system with a pair of Aerial 6s. I've A-B'ed the 6s and 7s on the Bel Canto and the 7s do have more bass and my wife let me leave the 7s in the bedroom so who am I to argue. :)
If I were still looking for amps (I seem to be off the proverbial merry-go-round for now) I'd try a McCormack or a Plinius. Also had an Electrocompaniet that sounded very good on the 7s. One thing I love about the Bel Canto - you can leave it on and it's not using any power to speak of... something like 17 watts on idle.
If I were you, I try the Bel Canto before trying something super heavy (lbs) like the Pass or the McIntosh. BTW, I tried the Pass 250 on the 7s and although a very competent amp and maybe the best customer service around, it just wasn't quite what I was looking for. The heat the thing throws off is incredible. My wife said "there's something wrong with your new amp, the whole room is heating up." It was true and is normal operation for the Pass. The McIntosh heats up only a minimal amount. The McIntosh may not have the dynamics and bass you desire. I think the Pass sounds similar to the Mc but maybe a little more detailed.
Let us know what you go with.