Ads L1290 speaker amp power

[Clyde F]

Hello...was wanting to upgrade my amp to accommodate the ADS l1290/2 that I just got...anybody have an idea how much power I should buy or what brands of amps are best... thanks

 

[bigx5murf]

Your speakers are fairly efficient. You should start with what inputs you need, and if you want integrated or separates.

 

[Clyde F]

Right now I have a Yamaha Rx v630 receiver and am powering my l1290 speakers with a Parasound 75 watt per channel amp...was thinking of getting a more powerful power amp for better sound

 

[davidb1]

Price range? More power is a great thing with ADS. Just don't go nuts on the volume control.
Also, $25 a year will make you a subscriber, and gives access to Barter Town. Well worth it if you are in a US big city and want to buy just about anything audio related.

 

[Clyde F]

Was thinking of spending around 1000 to 1500...how much power would you recommend?

 

[tubed]

Was thinking of spending around 1000 to 1500...how much power would you recommend?

As per the L1290 manual, recommended "minimum amplification is 15 watts per channel(30 watts or more, peak) can produce average music levels of 90db..."

 

[davidb1]

I use a 220wpc Van Alstine amp for my 710s. Within your price range. Huge step up from the NAD C370 I had.

A buddy uses 2 Perreaux amps pushing 350wpc, he has 1290s, probably hard to hit that price range.

Good budget, you should be able to find something.

 

[davidb1]

IMHO, it is better to have more power, most speakers that go boom do so because their owner keeps cranking the volume knob on an under-powered amp or receiver and drives the amp into clipping. My dealer back in 1974 used an HK Citation 16 @ approx 150 wpc to demo the 710 and 810 models.
Please note these speakers are not designed for ultra high party volume.

 

[yesshows77]

Some nice vintage solid state 200 - 250 wpc Power Amps within the OP's budget worth considering:
Aragon 4004 MkII
Acurus A250
Forte Audio Model 3
Hafler 9500 TransNova
Nakamichi PA-7 II
Soundcraftsmen MA5002
Bryston 4B
Parasound HCA-2200
Sony TA-N77ES
Threshold 4000
Electron Kinetics Eagle 2
Yamaha PC2002M
Yamaha MX-1
Yamaha MX-1000

 

[manu et deo]

Mine are powered with a NAD 2700 and were powered before with a Kenwood M2a. Both had more than enough power.

 

[Clyde F]

Is it worth the extra money to buy a vintage McIntosh amp?

 

[GD70]

Is it worth the extra money to buy a vintage McIntosh amp?

Maybe, maybe not. Regardless of brand, they all need or will need some kind of work at some point.
Macs have a reputation of being pretty durable, but so do many others. With Macs, they hold their value pretty well.
I love my JVC amps, but am currently testing a Mac preamp that I like a lot so far.
Back to your power question.
The more power you can afford, the better!
Going from 35wpc tube power to 100wpc Integtated to 210 wpc power amp was jaw dropping with my 910's. Every aspect of the sound improved.
Glenn

 

[saabracer23]

I have 600w on tap for each of my L1530s and it's way more than plenty. Don't look at just output capabilities, I'd also make sure the amps power supply is able to deliver ample current when needed.

Dan

 

[BigElCat]

Right now I have a Yamaha Rx v630 receiver and am powering my l1290 speakers with a Parasound 75 watt per channel amp...was thinking of getting a more powerful power amp for better sound

HCA-750a ?

I have one bridged to mono on each one of my L-1290/IIs.

Works pretty good.

 

[uplander]

Right now I have a Yamaha Rx v630 receiver and am powering my l1290 speakers with a Parasound 75 watt per channel amp...was thinking of getting a more powerful power amp for better sound

I drove L1290s with a 140WPC B&K and is sounded fine. When I moved to a 200WPC Acurus amp, the improved depth and control of the bass was was very noticeable. Since I don't listen at ear-popping levels, I have to assume it was increased current that made the improvements in the bass. If you're looking new, you might check out the Emotivas in that price range; if used, there's a huge range of options. An Aragon 8008 or Threshold S/300 would do quite nicely if you can find one in your budget.

 

[Blue Shadow]

The McCormack amps are newer and generally considered excellent. I use a DNA-1 on a pair of 1590s with expected results. It sounds very good and Mark likes it best of all the speakers I have, he likes some rock and roll and some of my speakers might not have the oomph to drive that home the way the ADS can.

 

[Clyde F]

Thanks...I have decided to up my budget and am going with a McIntosh mc2255 with 250 watts per channel...gonna also get a Mac preamp

 

[motorstereo]

Thanks...I have decided to up my budget and am going with a McIntosh mc2255 with 250 watts per channel...gonna also get a Mac preamp

I've run a 2255 on my 1530's for 3 years now and I've never had the urge to try anything else other than a very brief stint with a tube amp. It could be partly because of the 80lb+ weight of the 2255 but I think it has more to do with the great synergy of MC2255 and ADS. I think your 1290's paired with an MC2255 and a C3X series pre would be a great sounding rig

 

[Clyde F]

Gonna go with a c48 preamp that I found at a decent price, I think...like that it has an HT bypass feature

 

[wmgwizard]

Adcom GFA 555

Carver TFM -35 or TFM -55

Yamaha M-4