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Shindo Montrachet EL34 amp -- can it handle impedance of Snell Type A?

I have a Shindo Montrachet EL34 amp and Vandersteen 2wq subs that cross at 100hz with passive first order MP-5 crossovers. I either need to sell the amp or sell my Quad ESL-63 speakers, which I also love, because the authorized Shindo dealer tells me the Quads could damage the Shindo (it is really designed for higher efficiency 16 ohm Shindo speaker loads). I believe the Quads drop to 3.5 ohms or so in the bass and rise quite high in the treble.

I have an opportunity to acquire an old friend -- Snell Type A speakers. I am not worried right now about the Shindo's ability to "drive" the Snells in terms of power/dynamics. But I am concerned that the Snells could also present difficulty/danger for the Shindo due to impedance. The Snells have a minimum impedance of 4 ohms, but I do not know the exact maximum or the full impedance curve. I'm trying to find out, if anyone knows the impedance curve.

Does anyone know if the Snells would be safer with the Shindo than the Quads are? Does the fact that the Snells are a dynamic speaker and not an electrostatic inherently make it easier for the amplifier to stomach?

Thanks for any thoughts. Again, not looking for sound quality advice or speculation. I will be able to listen to the Snells before buying. But I don't want to endanger the Shindo amp.
montaldo

Showing 5 responses by montaldo

montaldo OP
181 posts
 
Thank you Brad!

Alan: is your caution related to the danger it could possibly pose to the amp or more about sonics?
montaldo OP
181 posts
 
Yes I know those archives. I must have read elsewhere that the four ohm figure was the minimum impedance, not nominal. But now all I see is 4 ohm everywhere I read. You must be right. If this is the case I think it may be  o good for the shindig. I have posts in a shindo forum and an email to the Snell servicing company and will see if I hear anything different.

montaldo OP
181 posts
 
Thanks Al! The Snell A impedance data you sent is for the Type A Reference which is several generations from the original Type A. I think this is an entirely different speaker separated by 20 years and entirely different design. It is challenging to find data on the original.

I suppose what I am hoping to hear is what you hinted at ... That the 1970's snell is inherently less threatening to the shindo than is the Quad esl-63.
montaldo OP
181 posts
 
Now I remember ... If you click the PDF link for the original Type A on Snell.no, the manual specs say the 4 ohms is "minimum". This is what gave me some hope that the nominal may be 6 or 8.
montaldo OP
181 posts
 
I confirmed that the Snells are a 4ohm nominal load so they just are not suitable for the Shindig. Too bad. Thanks very much for everyone's advice 

Now I need to either find a new amp or other speakers ... But I do not like most speakers, so I may have to sell the  beautiful Shindo so I can stick with my Quads. Ouch.  (I did buy the Snell's just to have because they were a great deal and I love them).


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