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Tannoy Arden--good amp?

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brnt99

New Member
I have a pair of Tannoy Arden speakers with the 15 inch HPD385 drivers. I am presently useing a Creek 4330 integrated amp. Sounds pretty good to me, but I read many posts that say tube gear works best with Tannoys.Can anyone recommend a tube amp in the 500-750 dollar range.
Thanks
Brent
 
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Out of curiosity are these the pair from a ebay that were local pickup from this past week ? Sorry never heard them so i know about as much as you.
 
I wish I could suggest something, but I don't know and would like to see the suggestions as well. I have a pair of Tannoy Berkeleys, which are the same drivers, just in smaller cabinets.

- JP
 
Tannoy Arden's

I bought a new pair of Arden's in Teak cabinets back in 1977 when I lived in NYC. One of the dummer things I ever did was sell them when I moved back to my roots here in Southern WI.

during my 10 years with the Arden's they thrived on Marantz 3600 preamp & 250M power amp (solid state 125w / channel @8 ohms) The sound was simply grand and I do remember the Tannoy's effortlessly handling 60-80 watt peaks on some orchestral music. They were rated @ 85 watts. Efficiency was 92db 1w 1mtr.

I paid $880 for the pair from Morel Electronics and had them drop shipped to my door directly from Tannoy/ Ortofon in Plainview, LI. That was a bargain price since the list was $555 EACH

I never heard them with tube amps but can't see the advantage. Tannoys go back to the early 50's with the dual coccentric design and I think their reputation for sounding best with tube amps is more applicable to the early versions with much stiffer paper suspensions and optimised with back horn loading for bass. Tannoy's incurred many subtle changes over their long history and by the time the Ardens rolled around they were optimised with solid state in mind. The company has tremendous engineering talent and I think their latest product line is their very best.
 
thanks

To Grumpy--no--I have had these for over a year.
I had a pair of Klipsh Cornwall 2's before these and was able to compare the to.The Cornwalls have a lot going for them--I think the highs were better on them--the Tannoys had better bass response and just a more integrated, cohesive sound.I also kept the Tannoys because I bought them from a guy who was moving in a few days and couldnt take the with him--(new wife)--and he sold them for 300.00 Canadian.Like the Cornwalls they are pretty versitile as far as matching with amps.A while back I was useing a Marantz 1090 which worked well--then I got the itch and bought the Creek.The Creek is actually in the shop right now and I am useing a Hughes Ak-100 as a pre-amp and the amplifier stage of a Nad 7020 receiver.Sounds pretty good.Every now and again I get this irrational compulsion to try something differant hoping I will hit on the magic elixar.I think I am alone on this (ironically speaking)
 
Hi Guys,
I have a pair of Tannoy Arden Mk I loudspeakers and I have to replace a grill cloth.
Can you tell me where can I get it?
From Serbia with Love.
 
Charivari said:
I wish I could suggest something, but I don't know and would like to see the suggestions as well. I have a pair of Tannoy Berkeleys, which are the same drivers, just in smaller cabinets.

- JP
Click to expand...

Hey, me too! :banana:

brnt99 said:
Every now and again I get this irrational compulsion to try something differant hoping I will hit on the magic elixar.I think I am alone on this (ironically speaking)
Click to expand...

It's called McIntosh tubes.

I have a MX110 and MC240 (waaay over your price range, unfortunately) so I would recommend trying to find a hybrid McIntosh receiver with tubes and solid state. I think... the 1600 and another has this (check to be sure) but the 1900 does not.

It's important to use GE 6L6 driver tubes in the MC240.
 
brnt99 said:
I have a pair of Tannoy Arden speakers with the 15 inch HPD385 drivers. I am presently useing a Creek 4330 integrated amp. Sounds pretty good to me, but I read many posts that say tube gear works best with Tannoys. Can anyone recommend a tube amp in the 500-750 dollar range.
Thanks
Brent
Click to expand...
In your price range you can get some tube equipment from Fisher or Scott. If you don't like it or it doesn't drive the Tannoys you can sell it for what you bought it for. Think of it as a free home trial. Good luck.:yes:
 
Fisher, Scott integrates will do wonders for them....even a first generation McIntosh SS would be great.
 
If you're NOT interested in restoring a piece of vintage tube equipment yourself (or risk getting burned on eBay or Craigslist)
Keep an eye on:
http://www.nosvalves.com/sale.htm
Craig (a member here) often has items come up for sale
(look like all he's gt right now is a Scotty 296 for $1800)
OR you can send him an amp for refurb (but there IS a waiting list)
http://www.nosvalves.com/queue.htm

OR

Another site to watch is Sam Kim in Canada (Quebec)
http://www.samsaudiolabs.com/cgi/sales/sales.pl
A few weeks back Sam had a very nice (completely restored see pic below) Grommes 40PG integrated amp for a reasonable ($850) that would be IMO perfect for your Tannoys. Using 4xEL84 is would be very similar in power to your 20wpc Creek but with more warmth (plus very cool retro look IMO -I loved the dash-board look so much I almost bought it myself)

AND Sam will also do restoration work as well
Good Luck
WopOnTour
 
You can pick up some nice used Jolida tube amps in the price range. Tubes and Tannoy's, a match made in heaven.
 
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