Help me choose a speaker match for my Line Magnetic 805ia tube amp under $10K


Since all of you were such a huge help in getting me to arrive at my decision to get the Line Magnetic 805ia tube integrated, I thought I would start another thread to discuss speakers to consider. I do love my Ascend Acoustics but after hearing the improvement that the Line Magnetic gave my system, I am wondering now if there is a reasonably priced but a better speaker that is a better match for my system. The only criteria is that the price be equal to or less than $10k. I am looking for a speaker that is not harsh in the higher frequencies but still has enough sparkle and snap that doesn't give up anything in terms of detail. The ability to deliver some low end, dynamic punch is something that I would be looking for as well as this is the one area the Ascend's lack in currently. 

My current setup is...

Speakers: Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower with RAAL Tweeters and Ascend Acoustics Center Speaker with RAAL Tweeter
Amp: Line Magnetic 805ia at 48W x 2
DAC: PS Audio Directstream Junior
Primary Music: Jazz and Female Vocals 

Speakers that I have considered so far include (power requirements notwithstanding):
  • Magico A3
  • Dynaudio Contour 60
  • Focal Sopra 2
  • Sonus Faber Olympica 3
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
freesole

Showing 3 responses by ctsooner

Not sure where you are located to go audition.  Your amps are rated around 50W, but have fairly high current based on what I remember of them.  It's kind of like having a 90W SS amp.  What size room did you say?  How do you listen and to what types of music?  If your room isn't huge and you listen around 86db or so (fairly loud), then you should be able to run most speakers.  

Under 10k, I'd have my short list to include:
Proacs
Vandersteen (Treo's as there are rarely Quatro CT's available used as most of us keep them for long periods of time)
Harbeths' (so much fun to listen to for long sessions)

Again, speakers are the most personal of choices in all of the audio chain.  I personally like to purchase via a long time established company as there is usually a better chance they will be around when something goes wrong down the line.  If you ever need a driver, they are not always available 10 or more years down the line from some of the smaller companies.  That's been a problem in the past with some of the very small companies.  if you don't care about long term situations, then there are some good designers out there.  YMMV
I have been very happy with various Vandersteen's and top 50w amps as long as they have plenty of current. As we know you may as well add another 25-40% to the power rating when looking at good tube amps over SS ones.

It all depends on you room and listening volume.  As long as the speaker is easy to drive as a Vandersteen is, the sensitivity won't matter much. IF you pair said speaker with the Vandersteen sub 3, the main amp is only running in the 100hz on up range so it frees up the bass which is a big drag for most amps.  I wouldn't discount any easy to drive speaker and yes, bring your amp with you if you are able to for auditions.