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DCM Time Window 7 - AMP & PREAMP

I’ve Found out that I’m the owner of 1 of only 200 pairs of DCM TW7 speakers ever made.
I am running 2 Carver A500x amps in mono block mode into these speakers. The speakers are rated at 700W max into 4 ohm. The Carvers in Mono Mode are 800W.

My question is …does anyone else have these speakers and what kind of amp are you using, and what are your thoughts on the DCM Time Window 7?
And to the Tube AMP experts I ask, how many watts would be appropriate for these speakers? They are efficient at 92DB, but they're still power hungry.

I am thinking of introducing a Tube PreAmp into my system and take the Denon out…any suggestions for something under 1k?

My system:
Denon AVR 3300, Emotiva XDA-1, Rotel 991 AE, (2x) Carver A 500x, DCM Time Window 7.

Thanks
dfgkali

Showing 2 responses by johnnyb53

johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
12-10-11: Dfgkali
Johnnyb53, I checked out those Heatkits...eh too vintage. I've been thinking about Emotiva's XPA1's, their Flagship monoblocks.
Did you specifically check out the AA-1600? There's not a lot to the styling: anodized black faceplate with removable handles. Still, it's an excellent neutral stable amp from the same era as your TW7's.

But the Emotivas are also a great value and should work well. And they're very cool looking with the blue light and all.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I remember the Time Windows fondly. I heard the 1As and the later Time Frames, but never your rare TW7s. I remember TWs as being unusually transparent and balanced, getting panel speaker sound out of cones.

Anyway, I think they present a fairly challenging impedance load and you might be better off with a good conventional A/B solid state amp. In fact, since you have some Emotiva gear now, maybe a pair of UPA-1 monoblocks would be in order.

If you want to get a good match from same-era electronics, look for a Heathkit AA-1600. Then have a tech check it over and restore it to spec if needed. It probably won't need much work; they're very rugged. I recently picked one up for $239 and I'm astounded at how good it is. It has just the characteristics the TW's would need--reasonable speed, low distortion, wide bandwidth, high current and damping factor, good extension, transparency, and very stable into reactive loads.
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