ProAC 2.5 users please share experience on amp

Hi Derick, I got your e-mail.

Actually, I've only tried one amp with the 2.5s. The BAT VK200. A year and a half ago when I was running ProAc 1SCs I did a shoot out with some amps that included the VK200, Blue Circle BC22, an older Bryston 4B and a Pass Aleph 3. The preamp used with all amps was the Blue Circle BC21.

My prior experience with ProAcs [Tab 50 Sigs and 1SCs] showed that careful amp matching was necessary. The ProAc tweeter can be bright and I didn't like the results when using all solid state amplification.

Around three and half years ago, after doing a lot of forum reading I decided on the Blue Circle BC21 tube preamp and BC22 solid state amp combo. My reasoning was that a combo like this would provide three things I was looking for. Warmth, power and minimal tube hassle.

I've owned the 2.5s for abour nine months still enjoy using a tube preamp with a solid state amp. I have thought of trying other preamps such as the First Sound Presence and other solid state amps like the Plinius SA-102 and McCormack DNA-1.

I'm sure the First Sound would introduce a level transparency my room has never experienced. However, there's something about the older BC21 with its 6SN7 tubes Ive grown to love. They produce a rounder, warmer sound than the 6922 tubes the Presence and other preamps I've tried like the BAT VK3i use. It really depends on what you're hoping to gain.

While I enjoy the the power and ease of use solid state amps can provide, I have become curious about lower powered SETs, possibly as a second amp. While ProAcs don't have the best measured sensitivity, I've heard they have a fairly gentle impedance curve that makes it easy for some low powered SETs to drive. One amp in particular I'm eyeing is the Wright Sound Mono 10.

Good luck!
Dean

Drew, I've heard the same thing about the association between ProAc and ARC. They even shared the same room at the 2003 CES Show in Alexis Park when ProAc was showing the then new D80 speaker.

Hi Derick, so far my personal preference for driving the three ProAc speakers I own has been with a tube preamp/solid state amp combo. But I should say that I have never tried an all tube set up, and I am very curious about this idea.

There are so many great tube amps out there, but some of the ones I've considered are all over the spectrum such as the Wright Sound Mono 10s or WPA3.5s, Bruce Moore Dual 70, VAC Standard 105/105 or Avatar Super, etc...

I have heard ARC amps paired with ProAc speakers once. It was at the 2003 CES show at Alexis Park. A pair of ARC VTM200s were driving ProAc D80s. The sound was organic, and the speakers disappeared, but I thought some spark was missing from the music. It lacked some life. It really isn't fair to make concrete judges of equipment at shows like this, but it's my only experience with this combo.

Which combo were you thinking of getting?

Maybe something like an ARC LS7 mated to a McCormack DNA.5 could be a great place to start. Both pieces for about $1300-1400 total. With your budget maybe you could go to the DNA1 or try something else.

I think the key question is, what kind of sonic presentation are you currently getting with the Cary and what were you hoping to improve?

That's really interesting Tomryan.

Your system must be much more revealing than mine because I perceive smaller differences between the three speakers.

In my rig, the Tab 50 Sigs were definitely the "wild" guys of the three. The 1SCs more mature. And the 2.5s add the bottom end both monitors lack. When I first hooked up the 2.5s I felt they were like the 1SCs, but with more bottom end. I didn't perceive any of them to be offensive, but it could be because my system is biased towards the darker side of neutral. And strangely, I felt the floorstanders disappeared better than the 1SCs.

It must be all the loose clothes lying around. The Acoustic Slop Factor.

Derick, it sounds like you're experiencing the bad sounding violins when the music becomes louder and more complex. Solo instruments or chamber music settings are more forgiving, but when you get 10 or more violins going full bore, things can get strident.

This is something I exprienced a few years ago when I first started the hobby. I don't have a real explanation for how I was able to overcome much of this. Better equipment? Adding tubes to the system? But I know I've seen this mentioned in the forums before, so maybe a more experienced person can comment on this.

Derick,

The Aleph 3 is great sounding amp. I borrowed one from Viggen a couple summers ago and really loved the way it did guitars. Better than any amp I've had in my system. The Aleph 3's soundstage was deeper than the other amps I tried, but I felt the width was constrained to the speakers. The BAT VK200 on the other hand threw a soundstage that easily extended outside the speakers.

It was really difficult for me to choose between the BAT and the Aleph, but what tipped the contest in favor of the VK200 was Aleph 3's low input impedance of 23Kohms. My Blue Circle BC21 had a hard time driving it, and when I wanted to crank it there wasn't enough juice.

Careful preamp matching is a must with this amp. It seems Gjrad's VTL works well with it. I've also read that many people like the solid state Aleph L or Aleph P with it. I know I've read other threads about tube preamps that matched well with it, but I can't remember them.

Art, those kind of stories make me feel better about buying and selling with fellow enthusiasts instead. I don't know why so many dealers feel the need to exhibit such pomposity on the rare occassions I drop into a store. Maybe it's the way I look. Your dealer and distributor have shown a short sightedness that is mystifying.

Canary, eh Tom?

Ecclectique, VACs are something I've really thought about placing in front of my 2.5s. Your post is very encouraging.