The best sounding amplifier that I used with my 15 ohm Rogers LS3/5A's was a pair of Naim 135 monoblocks along with a Naim 72/Hicap. Driven by a Naim CDi, that system was so musical! 👍
Best Amplifier for LS3/5a
Happy New Year All! Seeking advice from LS3/5 enthusiasts! I have tried a number of these speakers (Graham, Harbeth, Falcon and KEF LS50's (if that counts)) - and to me the Falcon Gold Badge really stood out. It's been a while now since I did the comparison, so I don't remember all the details - but I felt that the Falcons were the most musical, engaging, open and did NOT have bloated bass (important for a small room)! I've held on to a pair for my bedroom system, but I don't think that my current bedroom amps (AGD Audions, which I love with my current Raidho XT-1 monitors) are the best match for them. I get a bit too much sizzle on the top and some associated sibilance.
Herb Reichert (Stereophile) seems to love these speakers, and his review notes that the Parasound A21+ was too dry with these speakers, but he really liked the Line Magnetic LM-518 IA. That's not going to work for me! In this bedroom system I keep the amp(s) under the bed and generally leave them on 24/7. If possible, I prefer a balanced design, as I want NO HUM in my bedroom and my DAC/Pre (Weiss 501) has both balanced and RCA outs.
Based on the intended setup, I think balanced solid state would make the most sense. Amp selection might be influenced by the speakers having 15 ohm input impedance.
Any suggestions? Thanks, Peter
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Don't know about bridging 306's, but on the cheap the "listed" 306 will get you going. If you like the sound have it refurbished. It's the last amp I tried with 15 ohm Roger's. I liked it and I am not a SS fan. Much better than the 303 I tried early on (late 1970's) and almost as enjoyable as my Dynaco and McIntosh tube amps. Hell of a match with ESL 57's (per the system I borrowed it from). In such a small room I doubt that more power and/or balanced cable will be "a thing".
DeKay |
@dekay in my experience, a balanced cable has been useful and eliminating or reducing hum that I get with a RCA cable. Because I want absolutely no hum in the bedroom, that’s why I would go with balanced. But these amps are inexpensive enough that I could try it out and see how it goes. |
- 31 posts total