What to get?

[MiguelSarmi]

Hello everyone. Hope you are all alright.

I need help choosing the following units I found for sale but cannot audition them as they’re all a while away from me. The choices I have will be paired with either a Boston Acoustics HD5 or Celestion 1 (no passive subwoofer) speakers.

My studio apartment is 480sqft and listen to different kinds of music ranging from jazz, classical, rock, to new music like KPop, Electronica, and the like through, records, CDs, and streaming services. I currently use a Kenwood TK-250U (KA-2500) that produces good sound, but not enough impact on the lower frequencies; adding a subwoofer nor changing a pair of speakers are not an option due to limited space and budget respectively at the moment

The choices I have are:

1. Adcon GFA-545ii w/ a GTP-500ii
2. Hafler DH-220 w/ a DH-120
3. NAD 7225PE Receiver
4. Vector Research VR-2200A Receiver
5. Harman Kardon PM-645VXi
6. Kenwood Basic M2A Power Amplifier
7. Adcom GFA-535

*the last two are just power amps but I have a bluetooth receiver that I can temporarily use as a preamp.

I want to get a unit that will sound clear at low volumes that won’t have a boomy low end, a blaring midrange, and shrilling highs. Please share speakers that will be best paired with the amp you will recommend from the list above so that I know what I’ll get the next time I have more for another pair.

Thanks, AK!

Miguel
Manila, Philippines

 

[twiiii]

I would pick Hafler,

 

[Old-School]

Well, thats a tough choice.
I once owned a pair of the Boston HD5's and used them as surrounds. I never was super happy with the sound no matter what they were connected to. Thats just my experience. The Celestion 1's are about the same size but I've never heard a pair, so hard to say. I think the speakers are the reason for the lack of bass, not the amp. So maybe get new speakers and then an amp. A 5" speaker is not going to give you bass no matter who makes it or what it is connected to. Maybe get a small sub for now?
As far as amps you listed, I would pick the Hafler setup, though its complete overkill for either speaker.
HD5 has a max power rating of 50 watts, The Celestion 1 is the same. That Hafler is 115 watts per channel.
The list of speakers that sound good with a Hafler would be a big list. Probally comes down to what is available in your area.

 

[Christian B]

I had a Harman Kardon PM-655 VXi paired with Celestion 18 speakers and the combination sounded fantastic at all volume levels. Whether that means the PM-645 VXi would work as well with the Celestion 1s is anyone's guess, but I'm sure that integrated amp would be more than sufficient for the smaller speakers.

FWIW the 655 also was used sometimes with a pair of ESS amt monitors, and it had no trouble driving those big speakers. HK traditionally under rated the power of their receivers and amps. As long as you have some guarantee of the condition since this is an older piece of equipment (1980s) you should be alright. The most common fault with these is dirty switches which is a fairly easy fix.

Good luck with whichever unit you choose.

 

[MiguelSarmi]

Well, thats a tough choice.
I once owned a pair of the Boston HD5's and used them as surrounds. I never was super happy with the sound no matter what they were connected to. Thats just my experience. The Celestion 1's are about the same size but I've never heard a pair, so hard to say. I think the speakers are the reason for the lack of bass, not the amp. So maybe get new speakers and then an amp. A 5" speaker is not going to give you bass no matter who makes it or what it is connected to. Maybe get a small sub for now?
As far as amps you listed, I would pick the Hafler setup, though its complete overkill for either speaker.
HD5 has a max power rating of 50 watts, The Celestion 1 is the same. That Hafler is 115 watts per channel.
The list of speakers that sound good with a Hafler would be a big list. Probally comes down to what is available in your area.

Thanks, Old-School.

The Hafler set really is enticing. Interestingly, a Velodyne CT-80 powered sub appeared in my area.

The Kenwood amp I have has a mono out and the sub has an electronic crossover built-in. No mw battling the fight between what my heart wants and what my wallet would rather let me have. Hahah!!

 

[MiguelSarmi]

Th

I had a Harman Kardon PM-655 VXi paired with Celestion 18 speakers and the combination sounded fantastic at all volume levels. Whether that means the PM-645 VXi would work as well with the Celestion 1s is anyone's guess, but I'm sure that integrated amp would be more than sufficient for the smaller speakers.

FWIW the 655 also was used sometimes with a pair of ESS amt monitors, and it had no trouble driving those big speakers. HK traditionally under rated the power of their receivers and amps. As long as you have some guarantee of the condition since this is an older piece of equipment (1980s) you should be alright. The most common fault with these is dirty switches which is a fairly easy fix.

Good luck with whichever unit you choose.

The Harman Kardon I’m eyeing is unfortunately cold so I had to pass. A Harman Kardon HK-6350R showed up all of a sudden and I’d be able to audition since the seller’s near.

Will bring both my speakers and see if I’d like the sound. As I said to Old-School I either get a Velodyne CT-80 sub for my system plus the Hafler set, or one of the options I mentioned plus the Hafler set.

Either way, the Hafler is already in the shopping cart.

 

[Natasha Bell]

Hello everyone. Hope you are all alright.

I need help choosing the following units I found for sale but cannot audition them as they’re all a while away from me. The choices I have will be paired with either a Boston Acoustics HD5 or Celestion 1 (no passive subwoofer) speakers.

My studio apartment is 480sqft and listen to different kinds of music ranging from jazz, classical, rock, to new music like KPop, Electronica, and the like through, records, CDs, and streaming services. I currently use a Kenwood TK-250U (KA-2500) that produces good sound, but not enough impact on the lower frequencies; adding a subwoofer nor changing a pair of speakers are not an option due to limited space and budget respectively at the moment

The choices I have are:

1. Adcon GFA-545ii w/ a GTP-500ii
2. Hafler DH-220 w/ a DH-120
3. NAD 7225PE Receiver
4. Vector Research VR-2200A Receiver
5. Harman Kardon PM-645VXi
6. Kenwood Basic M2A Power Amplifier
7. Adcom GFA-535

*the last two are just power amps but I have a bluetooth receiver that I can temporarily use as a preamp.

I want to get a unit that will sound clear at low volumes that won’t have a boomy low end, a blaring midrange, and shrilling highs. Please share speakers that will be best paired with the amp you will recommend from the list above so that I know what I’ll get the next time I have more for another pair.

Thanks, AK!

Miguel
Manila, Philippines

I would say the Adcom GFA 545 / GTP 500 combination. Both are extremely solid pieces. I am personally not a fan of the GFA-535. I have owned both a 545 and 535 in the past and in my view the 545 is TEN TIMES the amp the 535 is. Considering the age of all of the items in your list, I would have them thoroughly checked and serviced.

 

[MiguelSarmi]

I would say the Adcom GFA 545 / GTP 500 combination. Both are extremely solid pieces. I am personally not a fan of the GFA-535. I have owned both a 545 and 535 in the past and in my view the 545 is TEN TIMES the amp the 535 is. Considering the age of all of the items in your list, I would have them thoroughly checked and serviced.

Thanks, Natasha. A GFA-535 in the form of a GCA-510 had to take its place as my uncle was happy to hand me down his amp. I may look at the 545, 555, or the GFA-2 eventually.

 

[Natasha Bell]

Thanks, Natasha. A GFA-535 in the form of a GCA-510 had to take its place as my uncle was happy to hand me down his amp. I may look at the 545, 555, or the GFA-2 eventually.

You are very welcome!
The GFA-2 is very elderly, going on 45 years now, so it will definitely require a good bit of care. You cannot go wrong with the 545 or the 555. Have you considered the Adcom GFP-815 preamp? That is a wonderful piece.