Radford STA-25 Renaissance - looking at new speakers

[The Black Adder]

Hello all.

I've just got me a Radford STA-25 Renaissance amp with matching SC-25 pre.

I've come from a Chord set-up and I must admit, I'm flabbergasterd at the quality of this amp. It's showing my music in a new light, timing, detail being the most noticable.

Running some Dali Helicon 800 MkII speakers it drives them really well but I think the amp would like something a little more effieciant.

With thanks to Nick Gorham this was also confirmed. (Details of my new phono stage made by Nick will be posted very soon... but I can say that it's the DB's) :) :)

So has anyone got any suggestions for me to demo?

Cheers
Joe

[DSJR]

Tannoys, big Spendors/Harbeths (if you can get them away from walls), or anything with a bit of size to them (except transmission lines).

There's a pair of B&W CDM-7's on ebay from a chap who's selling an AVI preamp and CD player. I don't know their loading, but I always liked the sound they made. For £550 they're good value I think...

[Ali Tait]

Check out the Frugalhorn site.Lots of good designs there.

[hifi_dave]

I was using an original STA-15 with Harbeth HL5's this afternoon -demonstrating to my Son and his mate just what a tube amp can do. Sounds like a good match to me..:band:

[Ali Tait]

Be interested how you get on with the phono stage Joe.

[spendorman]

Tannoys, big Spendors/Harbeths (if you can get them away from walls), or anything with a bit of size to them (except transmission lines).

Why except transmission lines? I find that the STA25 III drives B&W DM2 and DM2a transmission lines absolutely fine.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Great to see someone else discovering the joys of Radford amps!
I'd agree with most of the above but add that they're good with Quads - a match made in heaven, in fact.

[The Black Adder]

Be interested how you get on with the phono stage Joe.

Will update with pictures about the stage later on.

[The Black Adder]

Great to see someone else discovering the joys of Radford amps!
I'd agree with most of the above but add that they're good with Quads - a match made in heaven, in fact.

Yeah, it sounds great. I thought I could discribe the differnces but a specific analysis would be futile... just nicer to listen to.

All those years of amps... don't you just love learning curves. :)

Looking in to Harbeth, Spendor, Living Voice, PMC & WLM - anyone got any suggestions on models with these makes?

[jandl100]

Great to see someone else discovering the joys of Radford amps!
I'd agree with most of the above but add that they're good with Quads - a match made in heaven, in fact.

Yep, I heard a Radford STA25 with Quad 57's at The Cartridge Man's place .... what's his name? Ah yes - Len Gregory.

Really open, dynamic and involving.

Yup, Chord amps are nice, Joe, but as I have said before mine was a bit on the smooth and sophisticated side of the fence which tends to dampen down the musical excitement and involvement a bit, imo.

[DSJR]

Why except transmission lines? I find that the STA25 III drives B&W DM2 and DM2a transmission lines absolutely fine.

I was thinking of proper long lines as in IMF and TDL. The DM2's are more of an overlong port methinks and back in the day, the bass wasn't as clearly defined as, say, the 104ab's.. I know, I know, times has changed and the DM2's may be better now, but so are the 104ab's too, now that modern sources don't wallow all over the place..