2. amps-preamps
  3. 1148651974

Looking for more amp power for ACI Jaguars

I have the above monitors which are not that tough of a load (Nominal 8 ohm that dip down to 6 ohms), but they are relatively inefficient (87db). Recommended power for them is 50-300 watts.

I am using a TRL modified Musical Fidelity A300 integrated which is 150W @ 8 ohms and 260W @ 4ohms.

I have a rather large room (17x25) and my listening position is about 9 feet from the monitors with a good 10 feet then behind me. I do use a an ACI Titan sub for the low end duties. JAgs go down to lower 40hz per specs, but I have them plugged in rear ports so they roll off at closer to 60hz.
Although the ACI Jags do not strain with the MF A300, they seem like they could use more power IMHO.

I was thinking about adding a decent ($1000) used more powerful amp and using the preamp section of the MF A300 for now. I would add a dedicated preamp later (likely a tube pre) and sell the MF 300.

HAve looked at the MArsh 400 amps on AG here, a used Parasound HCA 3500, and a few others.

Another option is bi-amping but I don't quite understand how that works and how to then match gain levels of amps.
I do bi-wire the Jaguars with positve results.

Would welcome any suggestions.
lkdog
reubent
6,939 posts
 
LKdog,

For bi-amping, you will either need another amp with the same sensitivity as the A300, or you would need an active crossover of some kind that would allow you to match the volume from the two amps.

I'm not a bi-ammping expert, but I do know that other British amp manufacturers like Arcam and Roksan built power amp versions of their integrated amps specifically so folks could add an amp to their exisiting integrated and bi-amp their speakers. For instance, Arcam built an Alpha 10P to match their Alpha 10 Integrated. They both had the same power and same sensitivity, so you just add the amp, connect with interconnects and add an extra set of speaker cables and you are set.

Maybe MF has a matching power amp for the A300.

Enjoy,

TIC
eldarado
381 posts
 
I have no experience with your speakers but, my thought is that a monitor style speaker is too small for your room size. You might have better results going with a floor stander that can move more air instead of a monitor. Good luck.
lkdog OP
417 posts
 
Thanks for the comments.

-I think Musical Fidelity may have some amps that were made to match up with the amp inside the A 300-will check on that. They would be discontinued and I seem to recall they were not their better quality amps. There others may still work, however.

-The monitors are actually pretty large for monitors (52 lbs each) with 7" woofer/tweeter arrangement. Here is a picture of them in this manual. They are the top speakers in this monitor/sub package.

http://www.audioc.com/pdf1/jaguarlfm.pdf

I should mention my ceiling is only 7 1/2 feet so the total space is not too bad-but you may have a point.
lkdog OP
417 posts
 
OK guys-a couple buddies who are much more experienced than me have commented to me offline via email that Eldorado may be onto something here. :)

I am always willing to learn new things in this hobby on how to build a system so maybe I will explore the idea of different larger closer to full range speakers that are a bit more efficient.

Any suggestions are welcome (around $2000 or so). I will post this Q in the Speaker forum specifically as I am getting maybe a bit off topic.
Thanks.
ehoehn
169 posts
 
I am using the Jags in a room that is about your size with LFM's and have no issue filling the room. Right now I am using the Dussun V8i integreated (amp section only) and it drives them fine. Why not add a second titan?
More to discover