2. amps-preamps
  3. 1142272499

What's best for Tannoy D-700s?

I finally have the opportunity to upgrade my system. I have been lugging around the extremely heavy Tannoy D-700s with me for years now, and have read that many audiophiles think they are guite good. I have not been happy with the sound I've gotten out of them, and suspect that this is due to not having the right amp, wiring and wall positioning.

So to all you marvelous audiophiles: please help me select an integrated amp, used or new, that would pair well with my Tannoys. Also, please let me know if it is really important to bi-wire them or do exotic things with their cross-overs.

I would like to spend less than $1500 on the amp (used). The ideal for me would be that the amp also supports 5 channel surround sound for a yet-to-be-purchased surround system, but I understand that in most cases, 5 or 7 channel amps in a range I can afford will not do both jobs well. So I'd also appreciate any advice as to whether having, for example, a 7 channel amp would work or if I should stick to 2 channel.

For those unfamiliar with the Tannoys, here are the specs from the manufacturer:

Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms
Minimum Impedance: 3 ohms
Sensitivity: 93dB/w
Frequency Response: 30Hz to 30KHz (=/- 3dB)
Maximum Input Power: 150watts
beranrose
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
the ss amps i listed are powerful enough to open up the tannoys but sweet enough to listen to for hours at a time. you don't need to go with separates unless you choose to. though mac and tannoy are a classic pairing, the bryston and creek offer big league sound, and historically these companies have pleased many discerning music lovers who aren't looking to break the bank....as have the tannoys
michaela
314 posts
 
Beranrose: At your current budget, an integrated would seem to be a sensible solution and should yield very good results. I haven't heard the models that Jaybo has suggested so I can't comment there, but in time I would look to separates, only as your budget allows. Jaybo is correct in that a quality ss integrated will be powerful enough to give you tons of musical enjoyment from your speakers, although it's been my experience that when you add a powerful high current seperate amp, it will take control of the speaker, the bass will really firm up and the Tannoy's will show you what they are capable of. Good luck,

Mike.
beranrose OP
4 posts
 
Thanks to both of you! I think I'll start with one of the integrateds Jaybo suggests, such as the Bryston 60, then maybe add a more powerful amp in the future and use the Bryston B60 as a preamp. This leaves some money for a squeezebox ....
erasmusj
14 posts
 
I have the similar but larger D900's. I found that positioning the speakers correctly and damping the room reflections had a much bigger influence on the sound than changing the amplifier. After damping the room reflections with wall hangings or whatever suits you, carefully adjust the distance of the speakers from the back wall to balance the bass with the midrange. Removing the foam plugs from the ports may also be required. Also toe the speakers in towards the listening position. I suspect that until you take care of this no amplifier will sound right.

I have taken the extreme position of having curtains round three sides of the room. With Musical Fidelity 308CR amplifiers and preamps the sound is pretty good.

A good surround affect can be achieved with relatively inexpensive amplification for the rear channels, so I would focus on the best two channel amplifier I could find.

I have never found bi-wiring or exotic cables to make any difference, and most valve amplifiers just sound cheesy to me. However if you are up to getting the additional equipment, the Tannoys respond amazingly to bi-amplification.
beranrose OP
4 posts
 
Thanks, Erasmusj. Your advice about toeing in the speakers made a big difference when I tried it last night. Funny how things so simple can make such a big difference. Unfortunately, our new living room basically has one open wall and two walls willed with windows, so I'm not sure what to do about the reflections (I think the wife might strangle me if I went with heavy drapes all over the place), but I'm sure it will sound good nonetheless at lower volumes.

Good to know I don't need to bother with bi-wiring; I may do the biamping in the future.

Two follow up questions:
I've found that the Tannoy's sound stage is limited vertically (I'm over 2m tall, so it makes a difference when I am standfing or sitting). Have you tried aiming them upwards by shortening the back points or anything else to expand the stage upwards? We live in a Boston brownstone, so moving them farther away is not an option.

Could you tell me more about how you worked the rear and center channels? What speaker types and amplification do you use/ recommend?
More to discover