Pairing my JBL L50 speakers

[FrancisDumas]

Hi,
I bought those speakers some three years ago from a speaker collector that just finished refoaming them. From internet i found the manual: https://medias.audiofanzine.com/files/jbl-l50-manual-480052.pdf
3 ways with 10in woofer and a sensitivity of 88 dB with 35watt continuous power handling.

I love the look and they sound good to me now.

A AKAI receiver is driving them AA920. It was given to me by my gf uncle, a very nice guy. The pots and push buttons are getting fussy and I would like to change for a few reason.

1: I don’t feel any attachment to it since I did not chose it but it found me.
2: It’s only 30watt and the JBL manual recommendation is 60 watt. I never crank that 30 watt more than half way but I wonder if the sound quality could increase with more watts.
3: Not so good looking IMO.

My budget is 230 USD

Looking online I found:
1: A serviced pioneer SX3700 which is 45watt and look amaising to me. The SX3800 is 60watt but I can’t find it serviced and it is subject to more issues I read somewhere.
2: I see some Nad c326bee or c316bee and I wonder if they would sound mush better than older stuff in my old speakers.
3: I’m also curious about audiolab 8000a or Cyrus 2 or arcam alpha or delta.

I listen to rock, rap, electro, and folk.
My room is a typical family room, not big nor small.

Before I pull the trigger on one I want to get opinions from people that have experienced many systems. I prefer a sound which is mostly detailed with a hint of warmth.

 

[hjames]

The change from 25 to 30 to 40 to even 60 watts is pretty much insignificant -
but that said, go for the most you can afford.
Its not a question of volume, its how assertive the bass response will be -
it does take some power to get truly good bass out of a good JBL woofer.
Maybe just get a power amp like a Carver or Crown, and use your old receiver like a preamp to feed the amp?

 

[hertzdonut]

I would agree, it’s not a question of overall volume, rather how much oomph at lower volumes. Oomph all across the audio spectrum.

I’ve got L50’s, and they sounded fine with my SX-850 (65 w per). It wasn’t until I hooked them up to my SX-1280 did I truly understand that statement. Currently, they are hooked up to a Yamaha CR-2020 (100 watts per channel), and I am loving the combo. Such a nice fit. FYI, the L50’s sit directly on the floor; meaning, no stands.

Good luck, it will be worth it!

- Jeff

 

[Tube Sound]

I would recommend a few vintage like Sansui 8 or 6060. Marantz 2260, Yamaha CR-1020 or lower models. These are in the 60 wpc range but not sure if within budget. Jeff already mentioned the SX-850. With patience, any of these might be found. Good luck.

 

[FrancisDumas]

Thanks everyone
HJames I like your idea of a power amp. This way the AKAI will stop looking inadequate to my eyes.
I found the Kenwood Basic M1 well within budget with 105 RMS wpc. Hifiengine indicate 1000 damping factor and that surprise me. Almost looks like a typo.

 

[hjames]

Thanks everyone
HJames I like your idea of a power amp. This way the AKAI will stop looking inadequate to my eyes.
I found the Kenwood Basic M1 well within budget with 105 RMS wpc. Hifiengine indicate 1000 damping factor and that surprise me. Almost looks like a typo.

Ahh - I just looked up the Akai AA920 & found a rear panel picture - looks like it has jumpers that can be removed
between the preamp and main amp section - so all you'd need is good interconnects to feed a Power amp with it!

 

[FrancisDumas]

hertzdonut, tube sound,
The Yamaha 1020 and 2020 are gorgeous but out of price.
Marantz 22 series are out of price b/c they are so popular a bit like the sl1200.

I just have to say that I’m also looking at integrated if some of you have other suggestions.

 

[hjames]

I got a 175w/ch Carver PM175 amp a few years back -
its a really nice piece I keep for a spare (its not for sale),
tons of headroom, even for my smaller JBLs

 

[gogofast]

There are plenty of bargain power amps out there with 100wpc. Adcom, NAD, Carver, Phase Linear, and etc. All are capable of bringing out what your speakers are capable of. Phase Linear 400 is a super bargain at powerful 200wpc, and I see them come up for sale often for around $200.

Just having separate power amp with dedicated power supply, often overbuilt in older models, will give you a huge difference in sound quality - not just the wattage figure. Also, the damping factor usually doesn't mean much, unless you have super difficult speaker to drive and long speaker wires, but can indicate the build quality somewhat. Your speakers are fairly easy to drive though.

One more thing to consider is the preamp or your preamp section of the receiver. If it hasn't been restored/updated yet, doing so will make a huge night and day difference. Simply changing the electrolytics and critical signal capacitors will improve the sound greatly. Another easy option is, if you only use line level inputs, to use passive preamp.

 

[FrancisDumas]

Thanks everyone, this forum is amazing.
Everything is more clear now.

Gogofast: Myspeakers are on the floor but I put felts at each corner. I hope it’s not an issue. And i will start looking for place that can service my receiver, thanks for the tip, I’m curious to see what improvement I can get from it.

Now I’m looking for second hand power amp and what is showing up close to my place is a Nikko Alpha 220 at 120wpc for 250 CAD (195 USD) and I read lots of good review on Audioreview.com

An other contestant close to my place as well is an Adcom 5400 at 125wpc for 225 CAD (175 USD)

I will keep looking for some time now. The Phase Linear 400 sure looks fantastic but at that age I would want one that got serviced and that could be too expensive but I will keep an eye out.

Thanks again everyone and let me know if you have any comments on those two amps.

 

[FrancisDumas]

Hi everyone,
Here is the conclusion of this thread.
I spend a lot of time on the second hand websites looking for something at 100-120 watts RMS in the 230 USD price range and I found a NAD C355BEE at 80watts RMS and 140 dynamic watts for 150 USD. I bought it, plugged it and the result is amazing!! Thanks everyone for pushing me to buy something more powerful, I can hear the difference. I’m actually impressed at my JBL L50