McIntosh or Bryston amps for Legacy Speakers

Karsajid, I don't recall if we've conversed on email - there are too many monikers to recall - but if not you're welcome to contact me.

I have used/reviewed Jeff Rowland, VAC, Cambridge Audio, Monarchy Audio, Pathos, and Coda among others with Legacy speakers.

With the mid'highs for the Whisper DSW I enjoy the Pathos Classic One MkIII; I am using a single Cambridge Audio Azur 840W on the bass. It is possible for you consider a different amp for the Mid vs. High level inputs to the speakers. It will take some playing with the options, and you can adjust the filters to your liking. The active x-over system is quite involved and will take much longer to achieve perfection to your ear than a regular speaker. However, the potential vastly outstrips a speaker with passive x-over. :)

Finally, if you want sweeter, warmer midrange seriously consider the Pathos, as it has one of the most beguiling midrange presentations I've heard from any of the amps I've used - that's why it's on my Mids with the DSW.

However, if you have not worked with the gain/filters of the XD for your current amps you may wish to do so prior to seeking new amps. I can discuss with you about that.

Hello Doug. Nice to hear from you. We did converse at length over email about setting up the Whispers, and your advise and experience is always valuable to me.

In the last few days I have tried the Bryston 7B SST and the Pass Labs XA100.5 with quite different results. I have also used the Ayon Triton tube amp.

It seems to me that the Whispers let the different characteristics of the amps come thru quite clearly.

I am going to try a McIntosh amp very soon and will hopefully soon come to a conclusion about which amp to buy.

Will keep this post updated for those who are interested in knowing about amp synergy with their Legacy speakers.

I have finally ordered the Coda 15.0 Class A amp for my Whisper XD. Does any one here have a similar setup? Coda with Legacy speakers?

Sgr now runs Codas with his Helixes, and it sounds very good. Maybe he'll chime in.

John

Hey John,
Yes it is true I love my Coda amps and CP preamp. I'm running two CX amps and one CSX amp to quad amp my Legacy Helix. Bill Duddleston uses Coda amps to voice all his speakers. I've had Mark Levinson 436s, Krell KSA 250s, Acoustat TNTs, Haflers, and several others in my system. None have amazed me like the Codas have.

If I were to upgrade amps I'd look to Coda again and purchase 3 of the 15.0s.
I think you'll have a great sounding, dependable amp and system for years.
Let us know how you like the 15.s.
Steve
(sgr)