Matching a amplifier to speakers

ghdprentice

That's funny,I was literally just listening to demo's of the X250.5.

I just put it on the list.

Thanks

ditusa

I will put them on the short list,are they class D?

Thanks

kofibaffour

First time I’ve heard of those.

I will see what their about.

Thanks

jasonbourne71

Thanks,I will check them out.

fthompson251

zlone

laaudionut

Coda is on the list.

I will give them a good look.

I like that I’am getting some agreement on something for a change.

Thanks

lordmelton

Thanks,I think I have heard that they do go well with Dynaudio speakers.

II’ll add them to my list.

mike_in_nc

Thanks,I know nothing about class D.I will have to read up on them.

soix

Either,depending on condition,price.

Thanks

salc

Ok,good to know.

I have been focusing on high currant,and damping factor.

I will do some reading on the input impedance ratio.

I have a old McIntosh MX110 tuner/preamp.

I will check this against the Pass amp,just to see what it looks like.

Thanks

mike_in_nc

Ok,but I know that every single piece of guitar gear I have tried that was claimed to be better than that old stuff has never worked for me,

Most of the digital modeling stuff sounds good when you demo it,but once there is competing instruments involved it falls on its face,and sends me running to a 64 Fender amp.

I will try though,as it would be nice to just once,like something that doesn't cost a bunch.

Thanks

petaluman

Thanks,sounds like good advice.
I'am very hesitant at this point to stray far from the amps I grew up listening too,so it would have to just blow me away in order for me to make the change now.

bluethinker

I hear you,That is the one thing that I see in most reviews of the Dynaudio's.

I will write That down in my notes.

Any thoughts on the Parasound Halo 21+?

Thanks

incorrigable

I will see what I can find on them.

Thanks

mbarrett635

I saw them,but I'am trying to stay around 4,000 or less.

Probably not going to find those used for awhile either.

Are they that much better than the Halo?

Thanks

mike4597

Thank you,I will take a look at Odyssey Audio.

incorrigable

ThanksI will look a the wired 4sound amps,they might be a good candidate,as they have like a 91k ohm input impedance.

My Mac mx110 is recommended to be used with amps of at least 100k ohms,and there aren’t many solid state amps that have that.

I might have to go tube if I want to keep the Mcintosh pre-amp.

That could get expensive with the high currant these speakers like.

Does anybody know of any good solid state amps with input impedance of at least 100k.

Thanks

In my search for a high impedance amp,it seems most of the Conrad Johnson SS amps have a 100k ohm input spec.

I found a old one for sale on the Audiogon site..It is a 350sa SS amp.

It has the power I need and is in my budget.I have heard CJ tube amps,which I thought sounded great.

Would any of you consider buying a amp over 20 years old ?(I think).

Thanks

ditusa

I looked at the schiit tyre,but it has a input impedance of 47k.

I'am looking for something near 100k or more as Mcintosh recommends for my MX110 tuner/pre-amp

thanks

I have been looking at the spec’s on many of amps recommended here,and few have a high enough input impedance to work well with my mx110.

McIntosh states a 40k output on the mx110,and a minimum 100k input on the amp it is to be going into.

The Parasound Halo 21+ comes close at 84k unbalanced .

The Rogue Audio stereo 100 is 200k

I was trying to go solid state for less maint.,heat and tighter bass.

Would the Rogue st-100 have enough power for my speakers(Dynaudio focus 360 4ohm)?

Would  the 84k input impedance on the Parasound be alright with my Mac mx110?

I’am wondering if the older Conrad Johnson 350sa,could be repaired if needed down the road?

Thanks

knownothing

1,667 posts

04-26-2025 at 11:58am 

@twangy57 I might suggest this:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbdfg8-audio-research-vt200-mkii-power-amplifier-silver-pre-owned-tube

I have no connection to this seller, just seems like it would fit the bill.

kn

I was looking at that one.

16 power tubes.That scares me.

How often would they need to be changed at 10hrs listing a week?

I know it's getting hard to get nice NOS el-34's for my guitar amps.

Thanks

ditusa

1,969 posts

04-26-2025 at 12:46pm 

@twangy57 Wrote:

ditusa

I looked at the schiit tyre,but it has a input impedance of 47k.

I'am looking for something near 100k or more as Mcintosh recommends for my MX110 tuner/pre-amp

thanks

Why not buy a McIntosh Amp?

Mike

Which one?

All the solid state amps have a low input impedance around 20k ohm's,which means they won't match well with my preamp's output of 40k ohm's

 If you mean tubes, which one has over 120 watts that I can get for 5000,or less?

Thanks

I’am starting to think I should maybe switch my pre-amp to a Conrad Johnson or another pre that has a lower output impedance.

I wonder why the MX110 has such a high output impedance,as the C-22 is only 220 ohm’s?

Is it a result of the FM tuner?

Lots of variables involved.

Thanks

"100boardwalk

17 posts

04-26-2025 at 07:05pm 

I know you’re thinking SS, but if you consider tubes, the MC 275 would likely play nicely with the MX110. My ancient McIntosh XRT 20’s have comparable sensitivity to your new Dynaudio 360 speakers, and my 275 drives them admirably.I purchased my very low hours MK VI 275 from Audio Classics for $4999."

I originally planned on going tube,but from everything I have read and what people on here that have owned the Dynaudio focus 360’s have told me is,they need at lot of power and a lot of currant.

I also think with the warm nature of the mx110,my system might benefit from some clarity offered  by the right ss amp.

I have been looking at the Mcintosh amps,just need to think on it some more.

I just know some people have said these speakers seem to like at least 200 watts per channel.

Thanks

emergingsoul

1,246 posts

04-27-2025 at 11:37am 

Frankly very few people understand how to match amps and speakers. Most of the components these days get along pretty well.

Just make sure you’re speaker sensitivity makes sense when you buy amplifiers.  Highly sensitive speakers don’t need as much amp power rapidly ( can consider a low power tube amplifier which I think is something I wish I would’ve done earlier).  Also, Crossover design impacts Power usage within the speaker that’s a whole Nother issue.

Seek advice of the dealers selling the products and get their thoughts on how components match with each other. They have experience using the components and that’s the best source of info.

I thought I was doing that,but I was not aware of the impedance mismatch between some tube pre-amps and most solid state amps.

I new the speakers I was buying liked high currant and a lot of power,and I thought I would have no problem getting a amp to deliver that a reasonable (under 5000$) cost.

I’am sure I will find something that will fit the bill.

thanks

squared80

178 posts

04-27-2025 at 09:35am 

There is no such thing as ’matching’ amps and speakers. All you need to worry about is power handling, since all amps are literally going to sound the same (save for tube amps).

They sound different to me,and I guess I'am the only one that it will really matters too,

thanks

blackbag20

545 posts

04-28-2025 at 05:32am 

@mike4597 Plus one ... Klaus is amazing.  I have the Kismet Amp and it's never leaving the house ... do yourself a favor and check this guy out!!

https://odysseyaudio.com/

They look nice ,and very reasonably priced,but I need a input impedance of around 100k to work with my Mcintoch mx110.

Thanks.

I have found 2 amps I like,but both are older.

They both have the input impedance I need to get the best results from my Mcintosh mx110,(at least I think so).100k

First one is a Conrad Johnson 350sa -input impedance 100k

the second is a Audio Research 150m-input impedance 100k

I going to call around to make sure these can be repaired still if needed .

Would anybody not buy these because of their age?

My thinking is because they are solid state,they would be easier to maintain. 

The only other amp I have found so far that has a impedance close to what I need  is the Parasound Halo 21+

It;s impedance is 84k,close to the 100k Mcintosh recommends.

Thanks

Update.

Upon talking to several audio shops,they tell me the 40k impedance of my preamp would work fine just about any amplifier,as long as I wasn't running speaker cables over 10 ft.

Sound right?

ditusa

1,973 posts

04-28-2025 at 12:09pm 

@twangy57 Wrote:

The only other amp I have found so far that has a impedance close to what I need  is the Parasound Halo 21+

Parasound Halo 21+ Input Impedance (SE): 33 kΩ see specifications below: 

That's strange I could of swore it was 100k bal and 84 un bal.

I must have been thinking of another amp.

Thanks

Does anyone have a Rogue amp with KT=120's

I'am looking at a pair of M-180 mono-blocks with 180 watt's per side.

Do these tubes have a decent lifespan?

Are they  readily available at a affordable cost?

I also Imagine with 8 power tubes these amps will put out some heat.

Thanks

westcoastaudiophile

470 posts

04-29-2025 at 02:10pm 

Four output KTs are driven pretty hard to produce 180W of power, thus lifespan will not be great, likely below 2000h. 

I guess it all depends on one's listing habits .

I don't think I listen more than 10 hr's per week,so 2000 would be approx 4 years for me.

Thanks

displayname

160 posts

04-29-2025 at 02:32pm 

Musical Fidelity pair well with Dynaudio.

I agree with that. 

Another good option would be Norma. https://tmraudio.com/components/power-amplifiers/norma-audio-revo-pa-150-stereo-power-amplifier-1/
That specific unit looks like an excellent deal. 

I looked at the specs and it appears to have a input impedance of 47k.

I'am trying to find a amp with a input impedance near 100k,to work with my mx110 preamp/tuner, as recommended by Mcintosh.

thanks