"New" Tannoy System 12s

FYI:
Sensitivity: 96dB/2.83V/M
Impedance: 8 ohms
Recommended power: 50 to 300 watts RMS
Weight: 57 lbs

To Thegrabber1:

I am like you, judging from your thread about Schubert, a classical music lover. I have a large collection of LPs (ca. 2000) and CDs (ca. 1000), 95% classical.

I am a true devotee of Tannoy dual concentric technology. I love how the true timbre of each instrument is so accurately reproduced, with no peaks for *easy on the ear listening*.

I have "moved up" over the years, beginning with a Tannoy System 6 (+ sub), to a DC 1000 (+ sub). I spend years directing original music in local recording studios, and the monitor I ALWAYS was most impressed with was the Tannoy System 10.

I have always been bothered by the ability to "dial up" the most pleasing base level on a source by source basis. I want to explore using speakers that reproduce music full-range - without the need of a sub. I see it as a matter of sound integrity. From what I've read, I targeted System 10s and System 12s as good candidates in this quest.

So far, these speakers are not reproducing my orchestral recordings as I hoped they would, that is, full-range. I listen to mainly Mahler, Bartok, Mozart, Brahms & lots of chamber works, largely instrumental (my instrument is the trumpet)

Does this completely answer your question?

:]

Thanks to islandmandan for reminding me of Hans Hilberink's site. I was able to find a manual there.

Here's the bottom line (quoting the manual):

"For best results in dynamic range, an amplifier of not less than 100 watts per channel should be used on System 2, 8 and 10 and 200 watts per channel for System 12, 15 and 215."

I need a new amp!

I have the "OLD" DMT10 Mk2 speakers which I *think* belong to the same family of speakers as your "New" System 12 except that they are from the older generation (which are less hi-fi sounding & more neutral across the audio range).
I am driving the DMT10 Mk2 with a vintage Yamaha amp which is 120W/ch in class-AB mode & only 30W/ch in pure class-A mode. The DMT10 Mk2 are 94W/2.83V/m & a near-flat 8 Ohm load hence very easy to drive by the vintage Yamaha amp.
In class-A mode with 30W/ch, I feel that the amp drives the speakers quite well & I have plenty of volume for my room (16' X 16' X 10'+). I have very modest requirements for this particular system - is that why I'm satisfied?? Don't know??
Like you, I very much like the sound of these DMT10 Mk2 speakers. They are studio monitors without actually sounding like one. I can see why this model & the DMT12 Mk2 were the mainstay of many recording studios.

Yes, one must not be fooled by (or lulled by) the high sensitivity of these speakers in thinking that a low wattage amp will suffice. Yes, you will get sound but the dynamics might suffer.
OTOH, my recommendation would be to not take the words in the manual at face value & dump your amp right away. Listen keenly to the sonics 1st & determine what it is that you do not like about the receiver driving the "New" System 12. When you can clearly articulate that then you will know exactly what kind of new amp you will want. Otherwise, there is such a vast sea of audio equipment out there that making a sane choice will make your head spin many times over! Opinions from audiophiles might be of little help as each one will be making a recommendation based on his/her experience which might not match your own. It's better to figure out for yourself what sonic attributes you want in your next amp. FWIW. IMHO. YMMV.