Help picking an amp to work with my system


I recently obtained some Martin Logan ESL X speakers and absolutely love them.  That said, they are part of my surround sound system, so I use them for both, listening to music, and then when I want to do movies, they become the left and right channel of my surround sound.

I’m currently Bi-Amping them off of my Denon 4520ci receiver, but have had issues with them starting to distort if played at around 95db on a heavy bass song, within halfway through the song.  I posted about it in another group, but my post was deleted.  I believe the receiver I’m using just doesn’t have the capabilities RMS to keep up with that draw (Astronauts in the Ocean by Masked Wolf is a perfect example of a song that will sound crisp in the beginning and halfway through, start to distort).

I still need my receiver for surround functionalities, but for these two speakers, I was considering getting a dedicated 2channel amp and use the receiver as the pre-amp for them.  Does anyone have any recommendations on an Amp that’s affordable and clean?  I was thinking a Peachtree Nova 300, hopefully I can find one open boxed/used.  Would this unit fit my needs, or would it be pushing it with these speakers even using that amp?

maverick3n1

My receiver is setup flat so the original content determines frequency levels. I used to run sound for concert and love loud clean music.  That said, I don’t have to have it that loud.  I’ve just intentionally been playing it that loud, even if I’m listening from down the hall, in order to break the speakers in per the original instructions.  As for room size, I believe it’s 15’ deep and 23’ wide.

That said, I don’t have to have it that loud

In that case get a good A/B or Class D amp with some serious power and low ohm capability (200wpc is enough) and maybe think about a sub to take on some of the load. If you like the Nova give them a call and ask if it will handle the low impedance load of 1.6 ohms.

A Sub is definitely in the plan.  When, I’m not sure.  I can’t run DTS sound and multiple other audio formats without the sub.  Receivers won’t allow you to run those formats and re-route your low end to your mains unfortunately.  Unfortunately, my center channel will have to be an in-wall and will be about 8 feet off the ground, so I’ll need to get a good center that I can adjust the direction.  My screen comes down in front of a fireplace, which is the cause of the need for a in wall center, which would be in the face of the soffit I’m building for the drop down screen.  I couldn’t find a drop down screen that was ALR and Audio Transparent unfortunately.  If anyone makes one, it would likely be Strewart which is way outside of my budget.  Even with an audio transparent screen positioning my center better, I still would need an in-wall as it would be over the fireplace.

Gotta do what I’ve gotta do to make what I love function within the limitations of my space and budget.  I just know I’ve wanted these speakers for the last 15 years and finally got them!  That’s a huge step in the right direction :)

If anyone has some suggestions on a popular, affordable Amp to drive these speakers that I could likely find for sale used on here or elsewhere, that will get the job done, I’d appreciate it :)

It’s unfortunate, but I’ve found most audiophile surround sound receivers are slow, have a ton of bugs, and spend more time being repaired than installed.  McIntosh, and Arcam (or Arcrap as we used to call it when I worked in AV).  I’ve always felt Denon’s higher end receivers seemed to have the best quality sound across all I’ve heard, and were the most reliable.  McIntosh pre-amp receiver sounded great when you got them calibrated with multiple tube amps, but the entire package would cost you a new car, and half the time, the preamp would choke.  Love their amps though!

Parasound A21 will do the job. Also make sure you pull the ESLXs out from where your screen is. A couple of feet will do it, 3 feet is better.