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what amp should be powering my Paradigm 7se Mk3 ?

MBurnside

MBurnside

New Member
I found a pair of Paradgim 7se Mk3s in an alley several blocks from my house one fine day, I was flabbergasted, and I actually saw them being put out by a snotty 17 year old who saw them as his parents ugly old speakers and was replacing them. I was a poor 21 year old at the time, was lucky enough to know what I had scored, and went immediately to a used amp retailer and bought a Yamaha Natural Sound RX-350 that had a bit of a screwy input select knob. Although the speakers are magnificent have been feeling like I've short changed myself with the amp choice. Recently paired some 1974 PSB Avantes with a Kenwood KA 8006 (of similar vintage) to great effect, and now I'm thinking it's time to make the Paradigms shine.

What would you all recommend for someone who like to listen to base-heavy and occasionally quite loud music???

All the best
 
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I had a few Paradigms ( as a matter of fact there is currently a pair in my office) and the combo I liked the most was Yamaha. Why don't you look at the current Yamaha lineup or recent used models?
 
I was running some 7se MkII on my computer desk for a while with an older Denon AVR and more recently a Yamaha RX-V863 AVR and it did a good job with them.
I've since moved a pair of B&W CDM 1NT into my desk setup and tried the Paradigms in the living room on my NAD 7140 and it also sounded great out there.

I was impressed with the bass I got out of them with the NAD in stereo as my computer setup had the crossover at 80hz and my Paradigm DSP3100 sub did all of the low end work.

Have you tried the 7se MkIII with that Kenwood KA-8006, if not I'd give that a try just because you seem to already have it laying around.

I also have a pair of 9se MKIII that I am impressed with and have ran them off of the NAD 7140 along with a Rega Mira integrated amp.
 
gladiator335 - I just find it hard to find reliable feedback on newer models, is it safe to assume that the newer Yamaha are better? I'm assuming that, in contradistinction to the benefits of technological progress, the longer a company tries to remain profitable the more it will figure out how to cut corners. Do you have any suggestions?

mcyuke - I did try out the Paradigms with the Kenwood 8006, the sound was richer, more succinct, more presence and detail, but overall the bass was totally lacking, didn't seem to have enough power. (i'm a noob, please excuse the crossness of this description!)
Curious how you'd compare the NAD 7140 with the NAD 3020.

Electrone - I've come across the ubiquitous Nad 3020, but i'm apprehensive of it's 20 watt output, the 7se MK3's seem quite power hungry, as I've discovered testing them with my Kenwood 8006.

Thank you all !!!:jump:IMG_1579.JPG
 
oh also wanted to mention that with the Yamaha RX-350 I find I have to keep the treble dialled way up, seems odd based on the sound profile of the speakers... any thoughts?
 
MBurnside said:
I'm assuming that, in contradistinction to the benefits of technological progress, the longer a company tries to remain profitable the more it will figure out how to cut corners. Do you have any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Yes I do. Don't make such unfettered assumptions. Companies and their products should be judged on a case by case basis. Your speakers will respond nicely to some decent quality power, I'd recommend starting at 75-85 watts and more and not from an AVR. Being that you say that you like your music to be BASS (not base) heavy and quite loud I'd even say 100 to 150 watts would be even better.
 
I recently picked up a NAD 3020. I have been driving my Paradigm Monitor 11 v.7 speakers with it, and I can tell you, it's a more than impressive combination. It may only be 20 wpc but WOW. You have to hear it to believe it.
 
See these comments are a bit dated, but hoping for some help. I am about to purchase a Luxman R-115 receiver for what I think is a reasonable price. Basically next door is a pair of Paradigm 7SE Mk III, which seems like a pretty good marriage to me. But, I know nothingggg. Any suggestions? About all I know is the kind words you folks have said about the paradigms and the fact they have no foam to deteriorate.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I should actually be looking to make both purchases tomorrow.
Cheers
 
I totally agree Skippah. I used dated info all the time and glean what I can from it. I understand, overall the 7SEs are well thought of here. What I was hoping to hear was whether you folks thought they would work well, not so well, etc. with a Luxman 115R. I am not the Skippah, I am more Schultz, "I know nothing....Nothing!" Your insight would be appreciated. I was not looking to denigrate old knowledge, hell that's all I have is old knowledge.
 
Look at it this way: People may express their preferences from their personal experience but the reality of the matter is that as long as you have enough clean power to drive them. the speaker determines about 99.98% of the overall sound. Unless specifically designed to work as a system, there is no mizpah relationship between speakers and amps.
 
Thank you. The Luxman, I believe, is pretty renowned for super clean power, and with the 7SEs getting such nice reviews here, I will see if there is a deal to be made on the speakers. Thanks again Cap'n!
 
I have a pair of the 7s all so . Had a Sansui 9090db , and a Sansui 8 deluxe hooked up and the 8 sounded the best . Tried it with a McIntosh Ma 6100 , not to my liking . Then I used a yahama Rx-V863 I think that was the model # and it was a beautiful match . The yahama has since been sold . But a very nice combo .
 
Thank you Greymatter, that is helpful. I really appreciate your taking the time to respond. The 7s seem to be a reasonable bet to sync well with the Luxman, if not I should get out of them what I am willing to put in. Cheers.
 
Thanks MarZutra, you are making this an easier and easier decision. Any ballpark as to what I should be paying? He is asking $225 for the pair in apparently nice condition.
 
I will just add a bit here. Running these on my front end of a 2 way home theater system. Nice speakers! Now running on a Yamaha A-2020.
They are accurate, and good for home theater, but not my favorite for music.Respectable but not great.
Music goes to a Luxman R-117 and CV VS-150's on a second system.
But I actually had to buy mine for $75 and drive 100 miles each way so you did great! :)
These speakers will work on a broad spectrum of receivers, buy what you can grow with that has around 100 watts rms. More if you want.
Neighbor factor......?
An R-115 should run these quite well.
 
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