Usher BE-10/20, what do you use to drive them?


Ready to take the plunge on one of big Usher. Heard them in Taipei HQ driven by Usher's own CD/pre/power with cheap wires and already sounded excellent, I am sure they can benefit from better front ends.

I have only seen one BE-10 in virtual system driven by Ayre MX-R. What are you using to drive your big Usher? BTW, is BE-10 "better" than BE-20 for music?
semi

Showing 2 responses by semi

So I gathered some muscles are needed to move those big Eton woofers, not a surprise. My little BE-718 is very power hungry too, but they do so wonderful with Plinius 9200.

Reason I am seeking for amp advice, Usher BE-10/20 are more analytical than 8571/8871 and many other speakers due in part to the BE midrange which is super sharp and detail. Almost like a Leica lens if you will. So getting a super detail amp like Halcro or Spectral might not be ideal given the nature of the speaker. McIntosh sounds like a good idea, but will it mask out too much of BE's strength? Plinius is usually associated warmth, I think that also explains why Jeff likes it with the big Usher.

Without spending a fortune, say in the $5k range for used amp, what else is capable of getting the most out of the big Usher?
Currently I own a few amps, BAT 75SE (soon to be 150SE), Edge G8+, and Forte 4A. I think Edge is probably the best amp to drive the Usher or I can sell them and get Parasound JC-1 for about the same money but I don't care for Parasound's apperance. Edge sounds exceptional with my Amati Homage. Not as exceptional as BAT, but very fine for a solid state.

Since Edge is more on the clean & transparent side, I will think Edge is not a good match with Usher as Usher is also a bit lean. I know Tommy loves his Ayre MX-R with Usher, I normally would not think that's a good combination given Ayre's house sound. Exception does happen, something in that link must be balancing the sound so perfectly to make Ayre edging out the Pass XA.

Any Usher owner in SF bay area willing to hear what your speakers sound like with Edge? will be happy to bring them over to try out.