New or Vintage Amp for KLH 5

[Zack Sainz]

Hello all!

I am looking to create a happy couple with my KLH 5s. I enjoy relaxed listening, my space is small, so I don’t need tons of power. Right now I’m using my Scott 299B and it’s great! The Scott is for my KLH 6s, I had a Marantz Model 22 that was powering my 5s, which is now out of commission.

I have read that the Marantz 2270 and the Fisher 400/500 pair nicely anything else I should look for?

Any experiences with newer integrated amps and the 5?

Ideally under $500.

thank you in advance!

 

[quiet]

The 5 can handle and does like a lot of "clean" power.
That's all I got for you.

 

[Drugolf]

Yeah, get something with some power.

 

[alteclipsch]

KLH suggested a minimum of 25 watts. I used a Kenwood integrated amp rated 40 watts at 8 ohms with my Fives and it was everything I needed to get lots of volume and fidelity. My 100 wpc Onkyo receiver is also fine with them.

 

[Franksta]

This is a bit unusual I know. I have my restored 5's in my living room. I originally had them hooked to a Harman Kardon A-402 integrated amp. It sounded great with the dual power supplies and it's 45 watts per side and I thought I wouldn't be able to top that combo.

Problem was the HK kept wanting to drop out on one channel. They are finicky that way. Usually pulling it out and cleaning all the contacts etc. cleared it up. So, I pulled it out to work on it. meanwhile, I replaced it with an old 1st generation JVC RX-815V an old AVR that I had sitting around till I could get the HK back in. The JVC RX-815V has a Super A high speed amp with at least 70 watts per channel in 2 channel mode. I see some reference that it is as much as 120 watts X 2 (?) and at only .007% THD! WOW does it sound clean and powerful! I still have it in the system in preference to the HK. Strong clean power that the KLH 5's love!

I have always said that if you can find one of these 90's models of AVR's that had such clean high power on the front channels they make great CHEAP amps to power even great old vintage speakers. I also have a pair of Dynaco A-25XL's hooked to the JVC on the B connections. Alone or together the speakers sound great! Bonus.....They have remotes. So don't overlook this possibility.