Best amps from a few years ago
Good comment, thank you. I think I got carried away!
Anyway I ended up getting the Talk Electronics Hurricane 5 and two Tornado 4 monoblocks. Am I allowed a 2nd question? If so, which speakers should I get for it? Currently I've got some old KEF Q35 speakers, which I suspect won't do my amp justice. In fact I don't even know if the wattage or impedance would be a good or safe match, so your advice on that would also be appreciated! But I'm looking for some well matched speakers that cost around 1-2K some years ago and I guess will be up for sale for 500 quid - ish. The Talk Electronics is meant to be quite forgiving and neutral so I don't need something excessively boomy or light, or at least that's how I understand it to be.
I'd also add Arcam DIVA A85 or Roksan Kandy MKIII. Both are around 10 years old and both are superb. And they both come with a dedicated phono stage for TTs.
Musical Fidelity XA2. One of my biggest hi Fi mistakes was changing this for a Roksan kandy k2.
The MF owned the Roksan.
Although not the same I have a Talk Electronics Storm 2 amplifier. A good and underrated brand and good all rounder. Also forgiving for poorer recordings. Speaker wise I'm using a Musical Technology Kestrel which is rather nice. Some choices I had tried or other people I have read about would be Tannoy or Castle speakers. I would recommend against Dali Lektors for this amp (just don't seem to gel).
I have a Denon PMA720AE which is still very good. 80's amps seem to have more power than modern products?
And they both come with a dedicated phono stage for TTs.
The A85 doesn't. It was an option.
Yup would certainly add a nice Sony ES. You can get a 670ES for around £200, and the 770ES for around £250-£300. I have had both and they are cracking amps, especially the 770ES, oodles of power, nice and smooth even at high volumes and a decent in-built phonostage.
Not so old but you can get a nice Denon PMA-2000AE for around £500, quite similar in presentation to the 770ES, beast of an amp.
Re-visiting an old fav....
Re-visiting an old fav....
How do the Kefs sound on the end of it?
Dont know yet, one of the bass drivers has gone for repair (rubbing voice coil) so back using the little Kolts atm.
Arcam Alpha 9 and 9P. Should get both for around £500-£600
Thank you chaps but what speakers should i get to do justice to my Talk Electronics Hurricane / Tornado / Whirlwind setup?
Remember reading a review with a similiar system (with monoblocks). The speakers used were B&W CDM 1SE in which he reviewed very highly. Cannot comment myself as i have never heard them. Only saw the review when looking for information on my own amp.
Some just went on ebay for 400. That's the sort of thing i'm after. Cheers
OK I got some Castle Howard S2 speakers to go with the Talk Electronics amp - can't wait to hear them!
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What's this like?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-PMA-SA1-Flagship-from-DENON-High-End-Reference-rrp-5500-onkyo-/110996829135?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item19d7ed33cf
Whats that got to do with an amplifier costing 500 to a grand 15 years ago?
regards
Pretty ... and pretty proud of it