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Help with Acoustat Model 1 + 1

I recently bought a pair of Acoustat Model 1 + 1 with Hafler Mk121 transformers. I foolishly bought 'em without testing, and of course, the transformers were near-DOA, but I was able to get 'em repaired and the speakers working. However, I'm struggling with the following and would very much appreciate your counsel:
1. Am I best served leaving the transformers plugged in? Do they need to stay charged? They seem like an electrical fire waiting to happen.
2. I've been testing the speakers with a 150w/ch 80s HK integrated; high voltage/high current, but still need to crank the amp up to get decent volume level. Is it possible I'm underpowering even at 150w?
3. The Acoustat passive sounds marginal; will I encounter any special difficulty trying to integrate a modern powered sub?
Thanks in advance for your insights.
loomisjohnson

Showing 3 responses by loomisjohnson

loomisjohnson OP
1,903 posts
 
klinerm, i'm surprised that tubes would have enough juice--what specifically are you running your acoustats with?
loomisjohnson OP
1,903 posts
 
rrog, plato, thanks for the feedback. per your suggestions i had a buddy come by last night with a 450 w/ch carver pro amp, which although hardly an audiophile-grade piece, made a huge difference--it's clear i was underpowering them even with 150 honest watts. (a bit disconcerting when plugging in the amp makes all the lights flicker, however). the extra juice markedly improved the sub as well. quite exceptional sounding overall--narrow soundstage but eerie realism, detail, etc. i would be curious to compare them to a less challenging, power hungry speaker like the tekton or maybe zu, but these acoustats certainly do justify their reputation.
loomisjohnson OP
1,903 posts
 
i appreciate the responses. first, an errata--i actually own the model ones (single panel w/passive sub), not the 1 + 1. in any event, i finally settled on a hafler 9500 amp. as i understand it, hafler based on the tnt200 design after he acquired acoustat in the mid 80's. thus driven, the acoustats are pretty great--they have that non-fatiguing, eerie realism that you only get with electrostatics. their main limitation is soundstage width--they have a definite, narrow sweet spot--which is not an issue in my 9' x 18' listening room. i often see these monoliths listed for near give-away prices (i assume most wives hate 'em), and while not for everyone they're an inexpensive entry to real high end.
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