Eb acoustics eb2 + Caiman, but what amp?

[Salty]

Hiya folks,

I've just got myself some nice new speakers, the eb2s. I've also had a Beresford Caiman for some time, which I'm happy with. But my Cyrus 6xp hasn't got the guts to drive the large speakers. So, I'm considering selling the Cyrus 6xp and buying a new amp. I'm thinging of getting a power amp and using the pre from the Caiman to serve it. You may expect the Caimans pre to be poor, but many people have been surprised by it's results when teamed direct to a power amp. If it's not upto it I'll use it temporarily and pick up a pre later.

So, what power amp? Under £1000. I listen to a wide range of music at modest level. But I enjoy something with a bit of attack, whilst being refined when required. I've got in mind the Quad 909? Or possibly the Roksan Kandy K2, which is tempting at £650. Or maybe stick with Cyrus and get an X power?

It's gonna be very difficult to test, as you can't come across my speakers in store.

What you recon folks?

Cheers

[Ashmore]

Hi Salty

No amp advice from me (and I'll leave it to 'da management' to invite you to post a hello message), but I'd be interested in your opinion of the EB2s once you've had them for a while. I was very very tempted myself a few months ago but took a different path.

BTW - we're not short of Caiman advocates over here (is there an award for the most discussed piece of kit?). You may find it worthwhile exploring the DIY section for mod options.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

You may expect the Caimans pre to be poor

Not round these ere parts ...
There are a lot of happy bunnies with caimans as pre amps!

Not many with your speakers though ... Although yet have come a few times in convo so should you find somthing good to match them I'm sure a few would be interested to here ...

But yeah I'd sort the welcome post before the forum rozzers catch you ;)

[Butuz]

Agree use my 7520 as a pre directly into a power here and it's great.

I am a firm believer in less is more and keep it simple stupid so for me sources > dac > power amp is as simple as you can keep it really!

Myself I am really pleased with my XTZ AP-100 power amp. For the money it is sooooo much better value than the usual suspects at £500. PLus you can get a 30 day home demo if you want at Audiosanctum.

There are also a few easy mods you can do to your Caiman to get even better sound:
1. Add a Gaitor board
2. Add a Linear power supply (or battery power)

Do both of these and it's like night and day!!

Butuz
Butuz

[Labarum]

A Caiman (especially with a Gator) drives a Quad 405-2 very well.

There is a ready supply of these vintage amps on eBay, and there are quite a few places that will undertake the modest work they may benefit from.

A 405 should have plenty clean power to drive your EB2s.

[szlnk]

I have a Cyrus 6vs2 amp and I was considering buying the EB2s.
Salty, please let us know what you bought finally, and how it sounds.