Any suggestions for an amp pairing with Monitor Audio G60's?

[Tim]

I am starting to look at amps and I know ideally you should be getting an amplifier and speakers together, but I don't want to change my whole system and can't afford too either at the moment. I understand Monitor Audio liked Musical Fidelity equipment and I actually got my whole system from somebody who used to work for MA, so I guess they must favour them - just wondered if anyone else had some ideas? I'm not overly impressed with the new MF amplifiers, so they are not on my shortlist, having said that I have not heard them so that's possibly being short sighted.

I did quite like the Bryston sound, but that was demonstrated as a whole with PMC speakers and sounded very well matched - I think in my system it would be too bright. I'm not going for a pipe and slippers sound, but I don't like things too bright either. Natural smoothness with good dynamics and seperation is somewhere I would like to be. I listen to a lot of female vocal, indie, country, prog, acoustic and classical, not much hard rock heavy or metal (but I would love to have my ears knocked sideways one day by Marcos gear playing some metal :) )

I'm not a brand snob and it doesn't have to look fancy either, just sound good and have some synergy with the speakers.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and I'm open to trying anything after reading through here over the last couple of weeks - I would happily try a valve amplifier too, but I have to admit to being totally clueless in this area, having never had a valve amp and wouldn't know where to start, or even if they would pair up with my speakers. I can if I wish trial a Quad II Classic Integrated at home this weekend, would that be a good idea?

Many thanks

(and boy do I wish I could have gone to Scalford :( )

[Effem]

Having owned most of the MF range right up to the Trivista 300 integrated I don't intend to revisit the marque again.

For sheer value for money, terrific sound and excellent bangs per buck I can wholeheartedly recommend the XTZ Desire A1000D3 integrated that I have now. Class A up to 50 watts and then on to to 180 watts in Class B it dosen't run out of steam ever. Sound is crisp, taut and focussed with a very well controlled bass few other amps can match. Remote control is a delight to use. Built in phono stage AND a built in DAC too :eyebrows:

Don't just take my word for it, the UK distributor has a home demo scheme so you can evaluate it at your leisure. For £625 it really is a no-brainer.

http://www.audiosanctum.co.uk/vmchk/Integrated-Amplifiers/XTZ-Class-A-100-D3-Integrated-Stereo-Amplifier-Silver-and-Black.html

Pop along to my bakeoff on the 19th and hear how this amp can make a pair of Dali Suites dance :eyebrows:

[tannoy man]

Listen to the Quad, you dont know what your missing.

[Tim]

For sheer value for money, terrific sound and excellent bangs per buck I can wholeheartedly recommend the XTZ Desire A1000D3 integrated that I have now. Class A up to 50 watts and then on to to 180 watts in Class B it dosen't run out of steam ever. Sound is crisp, taut and focussed with a very well controlled bass few other amps can match. Remote control is a delight to use. Built in phono stage AND a built in DAC too :eyebrows:

Don't just take my word for it, the UK distributor has a home demo scheme so you can evaluate it at your leisure. For £625 it really is a no-brainer.

Pop along to my bakeoff on the 19th and hear how this amp can make a pair of Dali Suites dance :eyebrows:

This certainly sounds worth trying and as you say, with a home demo I can take time to evaluate it. I noticed you posted on the Wam and tried it with a valve preamp - which one did you try and do you think it would be worth trying with one of Glenn Crofts Micro 25's? Maybe just the AP 100 power amp and a valve preamp, as it's only £520.00 for the power amp on it's own?

[John]

If you are planning to update both but at different times, then my advice would be to hear a few systems and get a sense of what you really want, before you buy the amp

[Effem]

This certainly sounds worth trying and as you say, with a home demo I can take time to evaluate it. I noticed you posted on the Wam and tried it with a valve preamp - which one did you try and do you think it would be worth trying with one of Glenn Crofts Micro 25's? Maybe just the AP 100 power amp and a valve preamp, as it's only £520.00 for the power amp on it's own?

It was a heavily modded YS Audio Symphonies Plus with NOS Telefunken valves fitted. This tricked up valve pre sounded no better than the built in pre the XTZ amp has. Do your sums . . . . . . £520 for the power amp on it's own . . . . so you also get a pre-amp, phono stage AND a top notch DAC included into the integrated amp for just £105 more than the power amp costs on it's own :eyebrows:

Still a no-brainer ;)

[Tim]

If you are planning to update both but at different times, then my advice would be to hear a few systems and get a sense of what you really want, before you buy the amp

Yes I think that sounds like good advice, I'm not totally displeased with what I have and the Caiman has improved it no end, compared to my CDP - it's just missing something right now, so I think a lot of trials, visits to showrooms and home demo's will be needed.




Still a no-brainer ;)

:lolsign: I can't argue with that.....

[wee tee cee]

Just before you start changing equiptment,have you thought about trying some speaker cable.I recently tried some tellurium blue on my system and was really pleased with what it did,so much so I tried the black and went with it.But....while I had the blue we hooked it up to my sons system,an old cyrus 1 with ruark swordsmen with a dacmajic/cd player front end....OH BOY.He is betting 6m blue for his birthday at the end of the month.Really made us realise there was life in the old dog yet.See if your local dealer can let you demo some.

[Tim]

Just before you start changing equiptment,have you thought about trying some speaker cable.I recently tried some tellurium blue on my system and was really pleased with what it did,so much so I tried the black and went with it.But....while I had the blue we hooked it up to my sons system,an old cyrus 1 with ruark swordsmen with a dacmajic/cd player front end....OH BOY.He is betting 6m blue for his birthday at the end of the month.Really made us realise there was life in the old dog yet.See if your local dealer can let you demo some.

Thanks for that, already being done - I'm trying everything out with the help of the folk here. I have had some pleasing results already with Mark Grants G1000HD interconnect, I'm also going to try the Sterling Black Mamba cables.

[wee tee cee]

Regards interconnects I found flashbacksales great value for money.Ive fitted theyre stuff to both my own and sons system,the premier cables are lovely.For reasonable money you dont mind playing about.

[Jonboy]

I would say you need to stick to solid state as your speakers look like they need a bit of power to drive them properly, your G60's are simular to my old Kefs with a simular amount of drivers ( 90db 6ohms) they worked best with a bit of S/S power behind them, i used my quad 405 thingy to good effect. some help maybe or maybe not :scratch:

[Tim]

I would say you need to stick to solid state as your speakers look like they need a bit of power to drive them properly, your G60's are simular to my old Kefs with a simular amount of drivers ( 90db 6ohms) they worked best with a bit of S/S power behind them, i used my quad 405 thingy to good effect. some help maybe or maybe not :scratch:

I think this is exactly where I am lacking and the Monitor Audio guy I bought them from advised me to get a power amp, as he said they needed more to drive them efficiently than the 85W from my current amp. I am just weighing up Effem's suggestion for the XTZ or whether to source a second hand power amp. I certainly like Effem's suggestion and have yet to read a bad thing about this amp and at £625, it is as he says a bit of a no-brainer if that's what I need and don't want to spend a lot :)

But it has been interesting trying things out, I have been underwhelmed by a lot of gear demo'ed so far. Most has not impressed me at all compared to the sound I already have. The only thing I really liked was a Bryston/PMC system that was £17,100 without and cabling!

[technobear]

Not heard of G60's. They look similar to GS60's or GR60's though. I've heard GR20's with Bel Canto (I think it was an eVo 2i) and they made some very impressive sounds on the end of that. The Bel Canto is quite high end but they are starting to appear for reasonable prices on the used market now.

Whereabouts in Dorset are you? You're welcome to lug your kit over here. I know you're interested in the CDQ too. If it's not too far, I might even be persuaded to pop over.

[Tim]

Not heard of G60's. They look similar to GS60's or GR60's though. I've heard GR20's with Bel Canto (I think it was an eVo 2i) and they made some very impressive sounds on the end of that. The Bel Canto is quite high end but they are starting to appear for reasonable prices on the used market now.

Whereabouts in Dorset are you? You're welcome to lug your kit over here. I know you're interested in the CDQ too. If it's not too far, I might even be persuaded to pop over.
They are very similar to the GR & GS60's, just some tweaks made by MA in the evolution of the product - which was G60 > GR60 > GS60. I really like them and as they were virtually a gift, I cannot complain at all.

I'm about 8 miles NE of Bournemouth, so the wrong side of the county, but I like the idea of maybe trying them with a Class D amp and the CDQ - did you try the Nuforce?

[technobear]

They are very similar to the GR & GS60's, just some tweaks made by MA in the evolution of the product - which was G60 > GR60 > GS60. I really like them and as they were virtually a gift, I cannot complain at all.

I'm about 8 miles NE of Bournemouth, so the wrong side of the county, but I like the idea of maybe trying them with a Class D amp and the CDQ - did you try the Nuforce?

I haven't tried a NuForce amp. I like my NuForce uDAC-2 though - at least with the Kimber USB cable.

From where you are, just follow the B3081 Christchurch/Evercreech Highway. It's only about 60 miles :)

[Tim]

Well after a lot of listening, reading, driving to demo's and head scratching I have discovered I was getting this all wrong and it's my Monitor Audio's that are not giving me what I want. So I have done a 180 degree U-turn and the speakers are going first.

Courtesy of forum member David (Radlett Audio) I have just ordered a pair of Harbeth SHL5's as the first stage of my system upgrade, with the amplifier next on the list when funds allow. Quite excited to be honest and a big thanks to David for his help and assistance. :cool:

Thanks for all the suggestions here too, very much appreciated and a big thumbs up for AoS http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/thumbsup.gif

[Welder]

“I have just ordered a pair of Harbeth SHL5's as the first stage of my system upgrade”

Well feckin cool :clap: Seriously decent speakers. They should work well with a much wider range of amps than some of the antique stuff I’ve seen recommended here :brickwall:
They’re a bit expensive but as “modern” speakers go I’ve always thought Harbeth well in front of the majority of manufacturers.

[Alex_UK]

Courtesy of forum member David (Radlett Audio) I have just ordered a pair of Harbeth SHL5's as the first stage of my system upgrade

XG63OtsKC7k

[DSJR]

Harbeths need space around them to work best and the HLS5 is defintitely no exception ;), but the designer has tried his hardest to make the load reasonably benign, so they can be used with all but the sloppiest of amps (I believe some Bel Canto amps may not work at their best with these).

[Tim]

Harbeths need space around them to work best and the HLS5 is defintitely no exception ;), but the designer has tried his hardest to make the load reasonably benign, so they can be used with all but the sloppiest of amps (I believe some Bel Canto amps may not work at their best with these).
I'm going to be driving them with a Musical Fidelity A3 for the time being and I was surprised at how well they paired up, the A3 didn't disgrace itself at all. Luckily I have space to put them in when I flip my room 90 degrees and as it's just me, to be honest I can put them where ever the feck I want :lol: I'm sure if there was a Mrs Tim around I would be well and truly :spank:

I'm going to be eating beanz for supper for awhile, but what the heck!

[StanleyB]

I'm going to be eating beanz for supper for awhile, but what the heck!
Have you seen the price of a tin of Heinz lately?

[hifi_dave]

They do need a bit of space as do all large speakers but not as much as you'd expect. In my demo room the rear corner of each SHL5 is only 12-15 inches from the back wall and there isn't a trace of bloom.

Stands are important though. They do appreciate a rigid, open frame to give of their best.

[Tim]

They do need a bit of space as do all large speakers but not as much as you'd expect. In my demo room the rear corner of each SHL5 is only 12-15 inches from the back wall and there isn't a trace of bloom.
I should be fine, as they will be going either side of a bay window recess about 2m wide and 2 feet deep, sitting about 15 inches away from the corners of the bay and about 4-5 feet from the side walls, so they will have plenty of air. The only thing I need to sort is any sunlight on them :scratch:

I will update my gallery when they are in and sorted :)


Have you seen the price of a tin of Heinz lately?
Hmmm, maybe boiled rice then ;)

[hifi_dave]

If they are in direct sunlight, it might be best to draw the curtains on a sunny day. The Sun does bleach any furniture, carpets, curtains, wallpaper etc, etc that it shines on.

My Wife religiously pulls down the blinds every day as our South facing rooms are in full Sun all day. It's a nice, bright house but not good for our Victorian watercolours...:eek:

[Alex_UK]

Having spent some time in the company of SHL5s today, you have made a great choice Tim - seriously good speakers. Now the girlie bit - what colour did you go for? :lol:

[Tim]

Having spent some time in the company of SHL5s today, you have made a great choice Tim - seriously good speakers. Now the girlie bit - what colour did you go for? :lol:
I went with the standard finish, I like the Classic look of the Cherry and I think retro can work very well with modern.

[Alex_UK]

Nice. :) You'll love 'em.

[DSJR]

They go even better with the new Albarry power amps ;) - oh yes indeedy!!!!!!!!!!