Considering another amp

[Elvis's last movement]

I am considering getting another amplifier to replace my EAR 509s.

The EAR 509s more or less pin me to the wall when listening to the Tannoy Buckinghams. It would be nice to have something with far less power.

Do any of you have any recommendations? I won't sell my EAR 509s until and unless I am completely satisfied so acquiring another amp is not dependent on selling these first.

I have a Quad 44, Quad 33, 2 x Quad 405s, the original Musical Fidelity Preamp (I loved that with Quad IIs driving Quad ESL57s) and a HIFI world valve amp. Are any of these worth an upgrade? The EAR 509 is louder than the Quad 405 although both are rated at 100 watts.

I have considered a pair of Quad IIs as I loved these years ago. Other than those I have no idea other than considering a lower powered EAR amplifier.

I guess there's always Scalford next year as a place where I can listen to some other amplifiers....what amplifier do the guys who use Tannoys use?

[Clive]

Can't resist.....sorry, but don't you have a volume control?

Tannoys seem to thrive on amps to grip them though I haven't a clue about Buckinghams.

[Elvis's last movement]

Hi Clive, the amps have a volume control on each of them and I use them direct from my CD player. I don't use any other source currently but I am considering a turntable and a tuner.

If you imagine the volume starting 7 on a clock face, by 9 on a clock face, I am producing high volumes.

I hope this makes sense.

[Clive]

Hi Lance, this does make sense. One solution could be an inline attenuator (eg Rothwell). Of course if you MUST have a new amp....then sobeit.

[chelsea]

I tried some wad 5881 monos briefly on some ardens i had.
They sounded the best out of the few i tried.

[Elvis's last movement]

Hi Lance, this does make sense. One solution could be an inline attenuator (eg Rothwell). Of course if you MUST have a new amp....then sobeit.

This sounds like a solution, so thanks....I must admit to never having heard of them!!

[hifi_dave]

What about a pre-amp ?

The 509's are great amps and you will miss what they do if you downgrade. OK, so you are not using much of their ample output and it's difficult to control using the pots but a pre will do what you want.

You have them so why not make the most of them ?

[Ali Tait]

What WAD amps do you have?

[jandl100]

this is nothing to do with power and everything to do with the gain structure of your system.

You just need a bit of additional attenuation somewhere, it matters not where really.
Some of those Rothwell attenuators would be fine - better yet, in terms of sound quality, similar devices by GoldenJacks.

Or a pre-amp with a suitable volume 'law'.
Or just adjust the volume controls on your current system more carefully.

Honestly, the power rating of the amp has nowt to do with it! ;)