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Power amp suggestions for Peachtree & Triangle

Looking for a power amp with a budget of < $1000 to give a bit more punch to my system. I have a Peachtree Decco 65 integrated driving a pair of Triangle Comete 30th Anniversary speakers that just isn't cutting it for me. Sounds fine listening at 9 to 10 o'clock where the Cometes really shine, but anything lower I find is flat and dull. Having to constantly adjust volume up to get that "wow" feeling indicates to me a lack of power.

I suspect there is heavy sound absorption at work in the room (shag-like carpeting and large sectional) so I'm not sure if this is the issue or the Peachtree is the weak link. The Triangle Cometes are highly efficient speakers with a max power handing of 80W and 8 ohm.

Have my eye on a PS Audio HCA-2 but would 150W be too much?
ijarrio
trianglezerius's avatar
trianglezerius
119 posts
 
They were designed on tubes so why not go with what Triangle uses?
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,915 posts
 
With my Triangle Titus XS speakers that I've had for a good 15 years or so, which are smaller but similar to Cometes, were I to strt over again with them, I would look towards a tube amp. Lead contending tube amp vendors for me would be Jolida, Glow, Decware, and Rogue. If I could afford more, perhaps ARC or VAC or Atmasphere.

BTW the Triangle Titus speakers are one of the best sounding speakers I know of at low volumes with most any decent quality amp, even SS. They are the ones that convinced me that box speakers could replace my older Maggies, also low to moderate volume sound champs when set up well, years ago for low to moderate level listening.
ijarrio OP
16 posts
 
I "had" a 15W CR Developments Kalypso integrated amp driving a pair of Energy C-3s and the sound was fantastic at low volumes ("had" because the amp is in serious need of repair - no sound and tubes arcing). Never felt the need to turn up the volume beyond the 9 o'clock mark and this is what I'm striving for with my current system.

If I ever get motivated to get this amp fixed, I'm sure it will be a perfect fit for the Cometes. Although, the room characteristics were very different with my previous system.
vicdamone
850 posts
 
My 7.1 HT system is all Comet powered by a Pioneer Elite receiver. With the right program material and without the sub on the low frequency can be surprisingly strong.

Powered by the Carver VTA 180s and a slight toe in adjustment the Comets have a very different presentation. I'm guessing the Carvers are overkill and a modestly powered tube amplifier would drive them adequately.

I think Upscale Audio carries Triangle speakers. They would have a more realistic amplifier suggestion.
ijarrio OP
16 posts
 
I know this is kind of off topic, but since we've been discussing the use of tone controls, does anyone have experience using room correction processing hardware?
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