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Opinions on Amp/Preamp 300+ W for Infinity Crescendo 3009s?

I’ve got a set of 4-way Infinity Crescendo CS 3009s and I’m looking to upgrade the amplification. Currently running an older Marantz home theater amp that I feel isn’t doing the speakers justice. I know other Infinity speakers (Kappas) have a reputation for dropping to some seriously low impedance but have read that these speakers don’t have that issue. That being said, I can’t find anyone that has done measurements to know for sure. Do you guys recommend going for a high current amp anyway? They’re rated for 300W @ 8 Ohms with 90db efficiency.

I was leaning toward an Emotiva gen2 or gen 3. I play music pretty regularly at high volumes and for extended time, so I'd like to go ahead and get something with good power so that I don't run a risk of doing any damage. Emotiva is about the most inexpensive brand I would go with, anything used under 2k is fair game. Are monoblocks an option at this price range? Let me know what you guys recommend. Thanks!
hdmurph975

Showing 1 response by mattmiller

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mattmiller
1,529 posts
 
Yeah it looks to me like these speakers will suc up the power! (there 90db rating is misleading at best) SO, I would try and find the cleanest/warmest sounding power amp and pre amp combo (a 200w Mac will be way more enjoyable then a 300w Emotiva imo) you want to spend money on. If you are planning on listening loudly for long periods I would find an older McIntosh combo or integrated amp, call http://www.audioclassics.com

The Emotiva while high powered and affordable,  the 3009's will sound HARD at high volumes and with a lot of fatigue after a short period. 

If you could find a used ADCOM GFA 555 and a GFP 565 (preaamp) this would be a great combo and they sell for around $350 each!

Matt M
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