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ProAc sound with SS vs tubes

Folks

I am close to buying a Proac D20R. I listened to them at the dealership yesterday, driven by a low power PrimaLuna tube amp, and was totally gobsmacked by the glorious midrange. When I get them, I will be driving them with something very similar - an EL34 powered 40w/ch tube amp. So I have a feeling they will perform close to how they sounded at the dealership!

The one caveat was that at the demo, when I played a bass-heavy electronic track and pulled the volume up, the bass started to get flabby and the port started "huffing". I don’t know if that is the technical term, but it felt like the speaker was losing grip on the bass and starting to lose control of the lowest frequencies with the synthesized bass jabs losing their timing. The track was Algae & Fungi, Part I - by Biosphere from the album Cirque, in case anyone is interested.

Based on that, my question is: is this something that is inherent to the speaker? I plan to switch my tube amp to a SS of significantly higher wattage soon. I am thinking either Ayre-V5xe, or the Hegel H-20 or one maybe even a Plinius-SA102 or SA-103 if I can find one at a reasonable price.

Can any Proac owners tell me if the bass response will tighten up with more power and a SS amp behind the speakers? Or is this a limitation of the D20R’s design that it’s bass response will not be well controlled with tracks that are bass heavy and highly rhythmic?

Thank you so much!
badri
sbrownnw
693 posts
 
I also home demoed a pair of Ascend Sierra Towers with the RAAL ribbons.  Didn't like them even though a lot of people seem to rave about them.  Did not have the punch, liveliness and lower end that the ProAc Studio 148s have.  I think there is something said about lively equipment stands, speakers like ProAcs and turntables like Regas.  Overly reinforced speaker cabinets plus the enclosed midrange driver like the Sierra Towers in bamboo sounded like they had no energy, PRAT / punch or bass.
carmenc
293 posts
 
@badri .......I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised/relieved with the ProAc d20r in your room.  As the saying goes, "you can't have it all".  This particularly goes for speakers.  Just the midrange and ribbon tweeter alone is worth the price of admission to the Proacs.  They've got the best mids I've ever heard.  That's saying a lot.  The bass player s not bad either.  If your music requires that much base and fullness, better start thinking a sub.  Keep me posted and enjoy.

badri OP
69 posts
 
@carmenc I know what you mean about the midrange. That is what got me. I fell for it hook, line and sinker. Sat in my chair mouth open, gaping. I don't think I had heard something more elegant and lush. I know that at least for a good chunk of what I listen to (baroque, vocal/choral music, chamber music, modern/contemporary classical) it will be fantastic. For the other bit which is contemporary electronic such as Autechre, Plaid, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Luke Vibert etc - I have a feeling I am gonna miss some things. But as you said - you can't have it all :) Just hope I don't have a bad case of buyer's remorse! :D
jperry
2,448 posts
 
I own Proac D 40r speakers which are bottom ported. I have found them to be flexible with regard to placement and no issues with chuffing. I used them for years with Quicksilver V-4 amplifiers and recently changed to an Aesthetix Atlas (all Aesthetix electronics now) which is also a very good match with the Proactive speakers.
badri OP
69 posts
 
@jperry That confirms what I have been hearing around here and elsewhere. The higher end models in the Response range such as the D30R, the D40R and the brand new D48R all seem to get rave reviews. The 20R alone seems to suffer from bass control issues and is considered by some to be worse than the D18 which it is supposedly based on.

This is why I was wondering if the issue was a case of overall system match and if the 20R bass sounded better controlled with high power solid state electronics.
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