Sideways move?


I currently have a pair of Tannoy Legacy Ardens (sensitivity 93) and love them. I am running them with a Decware Zen Torii M5 with bypass mods. They sound wonderful together... But... the 25 watts from the Zen Torii just isn't enough to properly do justice to the Ardens, after tube rolling and finding the right output tubes (KT66).

Since I am relatively happy, I was thinking of several options:

1) Get a pair of Devore O/96's (I'm never going to part with the Tannoys)

2) Sell the Decware and get an LTA z40+ or a Luxman 509X

I love the Decware, but I think selling it and the tubes I've stashed for it, might make it possible to go up another rung...

Thank you,

Steve

sbrogdon

I've got about 200hrs on my Ardens. They sound incredible.  I'm running them with mono blocks. A pair of Prima Luna Evo 400 for the high and PS audio 1200m monoblocks for the low end. You definitely need a little more power

If you read the OP’s follow up comment (Solved the issue) he has plenty of quality power with his Decware amplifier and wonderful sound quality .I’d stick with that given his undeniable joy.

Charles

No need for anyone to get too sensitive, this has been good advice all around, and a good learning experience for me. I started the day with deep doubts and finished with a return to audio nirvana. Doesn't get any better than that. Except it does, and it is our particular quest. And all these suggestions are valid ways to improve, when the time comes.

For now, I'm grateful. I went from thinking my next big purchase would be a DAC, to worrying about replacing what I thought was a key component in what I was building (at high expense), to now looking at my turntable as being the weak link... all in less than 15 hours. That is really something.

Biggest lesson here is to keep trying everything in your armory, multiple times, to get as much understanding as you can. That Dennis Had pre that was a game-changer a year ago might be holding you back now. That old carver pre you have in the closet might just be worth trying out in your new system, just for kicks.

I get tired of moving heavy things and changing all the plugs with my bad eyesight, but damned if that isn't what we al should be doing... Throw enough stuff against the wall, something will likely stick.

But thanks all around for the suggestions. Thank goodness I didn't make the move I was contemplating, even if it makes sense in the long run, it isn't what makes sense for me now...

Steve

OP... I have evaluated the Luxman 509 into Heritage Specials... I was very impressed ( it was a demo unit)...  I gave it very serious consideration... really liked it

@knighttodd

I can read as well as you. I was simply telling him how I am powering my Ardens.

Okay, that’s fine. However, “You definitely need a little more power “ is what you advised. Clearly, he does not, given his subsequent comments/re-listening impressions. No problem, I understand that higher amplifying power works for “you “. The OP is doing great with his Decware. It’s all good. I’m quite happy for the OP due to the outcome. No doubt that you’re happy for him as well. 😊

Charles