Amplifier for Boston Acoustics A150

meeps

meeps

New Member
Just pulled my Boston Acoustics A150s out of storage and am on the hunt to feed them with some clean power. If I remember correctly, I should try to pair these with something of the same era. I am curious though, could I get away with something modern without compromising on audio quality?

Would love some suggestions! I don't plan on playing these loudly, and would likely have only a couple inputs.
 
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meeps said:
Just pulled my Boston Acoustics A150s out of storage and am on the hunt to feed them with some clean power. If I remember correctly, I should try to pair these with something of the same era. I am curious though, could I get away with something modern without compromising on audio quality?

Would love some suggestions! I don't plan on playing these loudly, and would likely have only a couple inputs.
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You can play them with just about any quality amplifier, old or newer. There is absolutely zero credence to the concept of matching them with same era electronics. I ran mine with a 75 watt per channel Yamaha receiver back in the 80's when they were new and I ran them with more modern gear in the early 2000's still sounded sweet. I have a pair of 1979 A200s now that I've paired with 1950s& 60s tube gear, 70s, 80s & 90s SS gear and more modern SS gear. All good, some more so than others. YMMV.
 
darkblue94 said:
You can play them with just about any quality amplifier, old or newer. There is absolutely zero credence to the concept of matching them with same era electronics. I ran mine with a 75 watt per channel Yamaha receiver back in the 80's when they were new and I ran them with more modern gear in the early 2000's still sounded sweet. I have a pair of 1979 A200s now that I've paired with 1950s& 60s tube gear, 70s, 80s & 90s SS gear and more modern SS gear. All good, some more so than others. YMMV.
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Appreciate the response! Happy to hear I'm not tied to old hardware.

Would you have any suggestions for my application? I'm thinking a $200 budget... would hardware within that threshold make the A150s sing or choke?
 
My A150's (as well as my A70's and A40's for that matter) have sounded great with everything I've connected to them. I think it's one of the strengths of this line of speakers. I'm currently running mine with a couple year old Yamaha 80 watt AVR (RX-V479 I think) in my living room. I'm using the YPAO room correction software and using them for about 80% TV/movies and 20% music. They sound really nice.
 
I agree with Tiga, that series isn't picky at all with amplification. Your budget should get enough watts to run them just fine if you're thinking used. New not so sure.
 
Best sound I get from my 60's JBLs is a 80's Proton D540 amp. You never know what will sound best until you try it, but I've been pleased with all my Proton and NAD purchases.

I just missed a free pair yesterday:(, otherwise I'd be giving you first hand praise knowledge.
 
I have the A100 series one. A two way 10" woofer version. Have powered them with an AV receiver, Pioneer SA7500ii 1970's 45 wpc amp to modern Rogue 100 wpc integrateds. The 45 wpc was enough for me, for jazz at moderate levels in 25'x16'x7' bright room. Of course, more power doesn't hurt.
 
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Really appreciate the responses! I took everything to mind and did some reading, and am considering the PS Audio Sprout100. Prolly gonna wait a small while before purchasing.
 
I would recommend Arcam or B&K surround receivers which are in your budget from ebay - they were much more expensive new, but since 5.1 is old technology, they are can be had for peanuts these days, and these 2 companies still make good sounding gears.
 
gongli said:
I would recommend Arcam or B&K surround receivers which are in your budget from ebay - they were much more expensive new, but since 5.1 is old technology, they are can be had for peanuts these days, and these 2 companies still make good sounding gears.
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I only have stereo plans, how would I benefit from one of these AVRs used over a new stereo amp?
 
The ones I recommended are cheaper than stereo integrated amps of the same quality - and these will also allow for bi-wire your speakers if your speakers support that. If you can stretch to $330, Cambridge sound sr-20 can be had refurbished on eBay these days...
 
gongli said:
The ones I recommended are cheaper than stereo integrated amps of the same quality - and these will also allow for bi-wire your speakers if your speakers support that. If you can stretch to $330, Cambridge sound sr-20 can be had refurbished on eBay these days...
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I opened my budget, so I'm not as limited anymore. Right now I'm considering the PS Audio Sprout100 which goes for $599, which is the top of my new budget. Is the SR-20 comparable to the Sprout100? It seems the Sprout100 has superior THD and signal-to-noise ratings.
 
gongli said:
I would recommend Arcam or B&K surround receivers which are in your budget from ebay - they were much more expensive new, but since 5.1 is old technology, they are can be had for peanuts these days, and these 2 companies still make good sounding gears.
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I have an arcam avr100 playing through a pair audes soul towers. Great 5.1 unit that I only use in two channel. Very musical unit.
 
I like bigger boxes - they will give you more power than 50 watts per ch. of the sprout. Speakers and the amp should match in quality, so I would spend less and get used Arcam, B&K, or refurbished Cambridge Audio Sr-20. All of these were about equal or more expensive new and they all received glowing reviews by the pros, although the Sprout also have even better reputation.
 
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meeps said:
I opened my budget, so I'm not as limited anymore. Right now I'm considering the PS Audio Sprout100 which goes for $599, which is the top of my new budget. Is the SR-20 comparable to the Sprout100? It seems the Sprout100 has superior THD and signal-to-noise ratings.
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The Sprout100 (with the "loudness" switched off) would easily drive those and sound quite good doing it. It will also have a full warranty. I heard it back in April and it was pushing out a very clear, yet weighty sound. Very flexible with its inputs also. You can try it for a month if you order it direct, and return if you don't like it. I would get one if I had a need for a second system.
 
The tweeters of Boston speakers are rather delicate from that period. You start clipping an under powered amp and you will be in big trouble. The woofers don't handle bass below 35 HZ that well either. So I would look for a Mac MC 502 or 754, both having Power gard to keep a lid on things. Finding a 35 HZ high pass filter is going to be the hard part.
 
Ended up ordering a Cambridge Audio Topaz SR20 and got my hands on some 12gauge cable I had in storage. Will give it a listen once it's all in my hands - pretty excited! Of course, apartment living doesn't offer ideal listening conditions.. but it'll be nice to hear the A150s again.
 
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Previous owner of my A100 speakers made shallow depth angled plywood stands for them. Helps aim tweeter at ears and an improvement,IMO.
Just stand idea suggestion for unusual BA cabinets shape.
 
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