Help picking out a stereo amp for Infinity RS IIBs

[woodhous]

Hi there!

I recently came into ownership of a pair of beautiful Infinity RS IIBs. Believe it or not, I found them on the street being thrown out!!!!

I managed to get them repaired professionally and they are truly a wonder.

That said, I'm currently powering them with a really underpowered integrated amp / receiver (Onkyo A-9010), which I know doesn't have nearly enough power to do them justice.

I'd love to upgrade, but am trying to find a setup that won't break the bank, but will also bring out the musicality of the system.

I'm open to vintage equipment or potentially could do something new.

I've been looking at the ADCOM GTA 5400s, Yamaha A-700, A-1000s, and a variety of others. I honestly don't even know where to begin to figure out what's best because it feels like there are so many choices...

I'd love your help, AK members!

 

[powerman]

Hello woodhous a little more info would help. Like your budget, room size, how loud you listen. Being these speakers are a nominal 4 ohm load something with a high current capability will work best. On the cheaper end maybe a Adcom 5500

 

[stereofanboy]

I have powered my RS IIs (not IIBs) quite satisfactorily with Yamahas M-70, M-80, MX-1000, MX-1, and MX-2. The Sansui AU-919 was not up to the task and was driven into protection.

I recommend forgetting receivers or integrated amps and focus only on power amps. Those speakers are worth it.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Soundcraftsmen MA5002, 360watts/channel at 4ohms stable into 2ohms.






Doesn't hurt that it's also a real looker, but be aware it's a beast at almost 60lbs so fun to move around

 

[rickb119]

My B&K ex4420 is a high current amp that delivers 350w @ 4 ohms. The Reference 4420 does 400w @ 4 ohms.

 

[RVT1K]

Since I own two, I always advocate for the Adcom GFA555 II.
But that Soundcraftsmen does look pretty cool.

 

[Adda]

Here are some brands to look at:

Perreaux
Aragon
Threshold
Bryston

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Since I own two, I always advocate for the Adcom GFA555 II.
But that Soundcraftsmen does look pretty cool.

Rather new to me, my first Soundcraftsmen piece, driving my AR-58S which dip to 3.2ohms without breaking a sweat. The meters are usually set to X100 just to see some movement lol.

 

[RVT1K]

Rather new to me, my first Soundcraftsmen piece, driving my AR-58S which dip to 3.2ohms without breaking a sweat. The meters are usually set to X100 just to see some movement lol.

At one time I had a Nikko amp with big, honkin' meters on the front. I do miss that and have to admit that the Adcoms are a little bland looking.
I've started giving some thoughts to future projects and power meters are on the list.

 

[woodhous]

Hello woodhous a little more info would help. Like your budget, room size, how loud you listen. Being these speakers are a nominal 4 ohm load something with a high current capability will work best. On the cheaper end maybe a Adcom 5500

Hi RVT!

It's in my living room a out a 30 x 30 space. Nothing too loud. Ideally listening to lossless! Thank you!

 

[woodhous]

Soundcraftsmen MA5002, 360watts/channel at 4ohms stable into 2ohms.
View attachment 2708732

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View attachment 2708734

Doesn't hurt that it's also a real looker, but be aware it's a beast at almost 60lbs so fun to move around

Holy cow!!! Epic. Does it feature any speaker protection? I don't want to accidentally blowout the infinity's after I just got them repaired. Although maybe that's not something I actually need to worry about.

Thank you!

 

[woodhous]

I have powered my RS IIs (not IIBs) quite satisfactorily with Yamahas M-70, M-80, MX-1000, MX-1, and MX-2. The Sansui AU-919 was not up to the task and was driven into protection.

I recommend forgetting receivers or integrated amps and focus only on power amps. Those speakers are worth it.

Awesome. Thanks for the recs! Do I need to find something with built in speaker protection. I notice that earlier amplifiers tend to not have those versus models from the 80s. I'm new to hi-fi so don't really know whether that's a necessary feature. I just want to make sure I'm protecting the RS's adequately

Cheers!

 

[Adda]

Awesome. Thanks for the recs! Do I need to find something with built in speaker protection. I notice that earlier amplifiers tend to not have those versus models from the 80s. I'm new to hi-fi so don't really know whether that's a necessary feature. I just want to make sure I'm protecting the RS's adequately

Cheers!

As you move in the higher end of the scale, protection circuits tend to disappear.
They are fuse limited though, so they do have a dregree of protection, higher end equipment is unlikely to fail though.

 

[RVT1K]

Hi RVT!

It's in my living room a out a 30 x 30 space. Nothing too loud. Ideally listening to lossless! Thank you!

Hello!
I really can't comment on "sound" but my Adcoms have lots of punch and are not particularly delicate. They are frequently ridden hard and put away sweaty.
The only speaker protection is fuses.

I'm sure there are many, many choices that will make you happy with the end result. Good luck with your search.

 

[ivandezande]

Hi there!

I recently came into ownership of a pair of beautiful Infinity RS IIBs. Believe it or not, I found them on the street being thrown out!!!!

I managed to get them repaired professionally and they are truly a wonder.

That said, I'm currently powering them with a really underpowered integrated amp / receiver (Onkyo A-9010), which I know doesn't have nearly enough power to do them justice.

I'd love to upgrade, but am trying to find a setup that won't break the bank, but will also bring out the musicality of the system.

I'm open to vintage equipment or potentially could do something new.

I've been looking at the ADCOM GTA 5400s, Yamaha A-700, A-1000s, and a variety of others. I honestly don't even know where to begin to figure out what's best because it feels like there are so many choices...

I'd love your help, AK members!

Gotta narrow it down. Otherwise the suggestions you'll get here will be useless.

(side note - i hate that soundcraftmens. god awful build and quality)

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Holy cow!!! Epic. Does it feature any speaker protection? I don't want to accidentally blowout the infinity's after I just got them repaired. Although maybe that's not something I actually need to worry about.

Thank you!

The analogue Logic Vari-Portional circuit, combined with 250 watts per channel and the Auto-Crowbar protection circuit, add up to value and performance only available through the New Class amplifier design invention.

Important features also include input level controls, adjustable range meters, stereo speaker selection, clipping indicators, Vari-Portional indicators and speaker protection.

The black and silver overlay front panels are complemented with satin black handles and sculptured walnut grained side panels.

Weight: 58lbs

Price: USD $799 (1978)

 

[woodhous]

At one time I had a Nikko amp with big, honkin' meters on the front. I do miss that and have to admit that the Adcoms are a little bland looking.
I've started giving some thoughts to future projects and power meters are on the list.

I was eyeing potentially getting a Nikko Alpha 450, 230, or potentially a NAD C272. What are your thoughts? Thank you!!!

 

[RVT1K]

I was eyeing potentially getting a Nikko Alpha 450, 230, or potentially a NAD C272. What are your thoughts? Thank you!!!

I had the Alpha VI and liked it until it developed a problem. It went into protection mode and a friend and I blew it up properly while blindly poking around. I replaced it with the Adcom GFA555 II and eventually picked up another.

I can't comment on how any of the amps you listed will work with the Infinities especially if they are models with impedance that dips pretty low.