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Paradigm Persona 9H - hard to drive !?

December edition of the British magazine Hi-Fi News published a nice review of Paradigm Persona 9H.

They tested with Constelation solid state amps.

Relevant quotes from the review:

"Of all speakers the speakers I have encountered in decades of reviewing, the Persona 9H is right up there in the top ten, and maybe even the top five."

"From the first notes played, it was clear something very special was happening." 

"Paradigm´s Persona 9H speakers are outstanding in every respect, from the superb quality of build and finish to their scintillating sound."

All of this I already know, except the need of an amplifier of high power.

"Don´t be fooled by that modest power requirement and seemingly benign impedance: partner them with a high quality, high power amplifier, and prepare to be dazzled..."

The Lab Report concludes:

"...the 2.4 ohm minimum modulus we measured means that 9H is nominally a 3 ohm speaker."

"...and it has an EPDR which drops to a scary 1 ohm, albeit at 9.7 kHz..."

I drive my Personas 9H with a SET amp wit 25 watts with fantastic results, but after reading this I don´t know if I can achieve even better sound with a high power solid state amplifier.

Any thoughts ?


nabcs

Showing 2 responses by nabcs

nabcs's avatar
nabcs OP
55 posts
 
I only have used tube amps with my Personas.

Triode M845 - 50 watts 
Aries Cerat Concero 25 - 25 watts

Triode have a very good control in the bass but compared to Aries Cerat, the midrange is not that transparent.

The Aries Cerat have a much more natural and full bodied sound with a good bass control.

I do not feel any difference in relation to the power output. Both play at levels more than enough for my room.

But curiosity killed the cat, and probably I will try a Luxman M-900u this weekend.
nabcs's avatar
nabcs OP
55 posts
 
Here I am with a summary of Luxman M-900u sound with the Paradigm.

I didn't have much time with the Luxman amp (only Saturday afternoon), but the judgement was fast and relatively easy.

With the Luxman in the system, the sound is relaxed, but at the same time, fast and articulated. In the end the sound is very balanced and non fatiguing.

But, as good as Luxman M-900u is, to me the Aries Cerat is much better in terms of of naturalness and midrange purity.

True, the Luxman is the fastest and most explosive, but it misses the holographic sound Aries makes in my room.

And the voices? ... Oh my goodness, with the Aries Cerat I have the impression of the artist is with me in the room!!

I will definitely keep the Aries Cerat.
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