While I'm contemplating an adequate response, you can also try the martin Logan owner's website for their advice.
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Help w/ Martin Logan setup!
Hey guys!
Very, very new to this site - this is only my second post. I have searched alot for this, but was hoping somebody with a similar system could chime in...
Current system:
Sony 930d (not that the tv matters!)
Marantz SR6010 receiver
Martin Logan Motif X center
Martin Logan Ethos fronts
Martin Logan Motion 40 rears
Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 sub
Coming soon:
Oppo 4K player (currently using an Xbox One S)
Pro-ject turntable
Getting this system as turned me into an audiophile - I'm really big into movies and gaming, so that's why I got everything. This is my first high(ish) end system I have ever owned. Looking for amp advice: Everyone tells me to add an amp, and I am thinking of a few, but wanted to get some opinions/advice. To start, it would be a 2 channel to just the Ethos. I'm deciding between: Rotel RB-1590, Anthem MCA 225, maybe a few others. I hear great things about those two, but I'm completely new to amps so need some guidance. I'm open to any and all suggestions - trying to stay between $3-$5K. Also, and sorry if this an inexperienced question - will the sound on movies and gaming change drastically after adding an amp, or is it more for music? I'm thinking it primarily will benefit music as its 2 channel, but just wanted to get a more in-depth answer! LOL
Thanks in advance!
Very, very new to this site - this is only my second post. I have searched alot for this, but was hoping somebody with a similar system could chime in...
Current system:
Sony 930d (not that the tv matters!)
Marantz SR6010 receiver
Martin Logan Motif X center
Martin Logan Ethos fronts
Martin Logan Motion 40 rears
Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 sub
Coming soon:
Oppo 4K player (currently using an Xbox One S)
Pro-ject turntable
Getting this system as turned me into an audiophile - I'm really big into movies and gaming, so that's why I got everything. This is my first high(ish) end system I have ever owned. Looking for amp advice: Everyone tells me to add an amp, and I am thinking of a few, but wanted to get some opinions/advice. To start, it would be a 2 channel to just the Ethos. I'm deciding between: Rotel RB-1590, Anthem MCA 225, maybe a few others. I hear great things about those two, but I'm completely new to amps so need some guidance. I'm open to any and all suggestions - trying to stay between $3-$5K. Also, and sorry if this an inexperienced question - will the sound on movies and gaming change drastically after adding an amp, or is it more for music? I'm thinking it primarily will benefit music as its 2 channel, but just wanted to get a more in-depth answer! LOL
Thanks in advance!
16 responses Add your response
Those can be very magical speakers but are a difficult load to drive (besides needed to be set far out into the room). Did your dealer suggest any amps to you? You want lots of power and the ability to drive a difficult load... Or you could quickly snap up 2 A21s and bi-amp with those while testing for the next sound quality iteration... I use Maggies which are a little easier on amps, and I use a Sunfire Cinema Grand to biamp. It ought to work pretty well with your speakers if you can find one. There is also a different co. which uses a similar design approach and IIRC is still in business. |
+1 on the Parasound suggestion. I used to run a pair of A23's for a 4.0 setup, and they were wonderful. Then I went to 5.1 and it all went to pot. :-) I'm just kidding, I ended up with some very nice class D monoblocks. If you are tight for space, the NAD multichannel with nCore amps. At some point you'll need to calibrate your speaker levels. I suggest the $28 or so Dayton imm-6. Works with most cell phones and AudioTools or similar. It's not only really flat, but has enough bass to help you get your sub right. http://amzn.to/2emwYWo Best, Erik |
Thanks @erik_squires . I hear everyone give their opinion of which amp "sounds better". In the case of Parasound...is this better highs? Mids? Overall clarity? etc etc LOL Again, I am kind of new to all this, and I started with a pretty good setup (I mean, I think so at least). I want to make sure I get the most out of it Thanks in advance |
It's easy to get sucked into "audiophile nervosa". My advice is a bit more pragmatic. Go back to Magnolia and pick up a Marantz MM7025 and see if improves things. If so, call it good. It's not that expensive and, regardless of how much you spend on an amp, it's still being integrated into an A/V setup. That's not a knock - I bet you system sounds great AND can wear many hats. If the 7025 doesn't make things better, simply return it. Easy as pie. You're not paying for more Watts, but a separate power supply to those Watts. |
I'm powering my Martin Logan Spires through a pair of Soundcraftsmen pro monoblocks (600 W). I've found a few candidates that meet your budget: Blue Circle BC-8 (current bid at $1,700): https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-blue-circle-audio-bc-8-mkii-mint-condition-monoblock-amps-w-boxes-rare-2016-11-02-amplifiers-32117-holly-hill-fl - 225 W @8 Ohms, 1,200 W @ 1 Ohm Parasound $2,100: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-parasound-jc-1-400-watt-monoblock-amp-2016-11-04-amplifiers-91406-van-nuys-ca - 400 W @ 8 Ohms, 800 W @ 4 Ohms, 1,200 W @ 1 Ohm Classe CAM-200 $1,695: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-classe-cam-200-2-monoblock-amplifiers-2016-10-31-amplifiers-78735-austin-tx - 200 W @ 8 Ohms, 400 W @ 4 Ohms |