Bob243

Greetings I am pulling out my hair trying to pick out a new power amp. Now let me first mention that yes, I am aware that a 50wpc amp is plenty suffucient for these very efficient speakers, however some days I want to hear it louder than that. I listen to pretty much everything, on a normal day I am usually listening to blues or jam bands, usually one of my Grateful Dead soundboards, however some days if i am in a mood, that quickly changes and I am listening to some very hard rock/ metal that is low tuned and has a bass / bass drum line that will make metallica seem like easy listening. Ive used these with my Hitachi SR2004 for a few years (one of the "monster recievers" in the Pioneer SX-1980 era ) and it was very smooth and wonderful sounding, but when you get to the 70+ watts you start to notice the lack of current to keep the 15" drivers moving. Currently I am using a NAD2400 power amp which is also a decent sounding amp, slightly brighter mostly noticable with Alanis, Jewel, and Tori, however this definately lacks the current to go much over 50 or so Watts per channel, I can hear it starting to starve for power. I have a second one on the way and i am planning on bridging them, however I am still not 100% convinced that it is going to knock my socks off with the heavy stuff. This leaves me at 3 choices I am considering in my price range (used).. Krell KSA-150 Class A 150wpc capable of driving down to a 1ohm load McCormack DNA2 Deluxe 300WPC which I have read nothing but fantastic reviews about McIntosh MC-7200 200WPC which I am confint will handle most anything i will throw at it, plus I like the PowerGuard feature however not sure how it will handle the fast/heavy stuff So lets hear your input.. Thanks Bob

I ran across their site a few years ago when i was looking for a new set of speakers, They are a little over an hour from me, I got my Chorus II from them. Fantastic people to deal with.

---------------- On 10/9/2003 8:59:07 PM chuckears wrote: The best my Fortes (slightly smaller sibling of the Chorus) have ever sounded was when I was powering them with a 185-watt per channel McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe (the Deluxe version has some better wiring than the standard edition, along with Cardas binding posts). I did not know what kind of bass SLAM these speakers were capable of until I powered them with the quality high power of the McCormack amp. These units can be had on the used market for around $750 - $1000, less than half of original retail (audiogon is where I've done a lot of better-component buying and selling). ---------------- Read alot of reviews on this amp today at work. WOW!! That sounds ALOT like what I am looking for. I am a bit nervous about dealing with private sellers over the web.(at least for this kind of $$) .. Can anyone share some insight/warnings/expreiances/what to look for/etc.. on this???

Change of plans, I am going to pick them up on Sat. As a side note.... Since there seems to be alot of "tube" fans. I have always wanted to build a DIY amp... After looking at different schematics until my eyes went crossed, I decided the first one I build should probably be a kit. I would kinda like to build a 2A3-PP. I was thinking of getting the "Joplin" kit. Does anyone have any experiances with this amp?? good/bad? Another question about sensativity. If I am currently running 200wpc into a set of speakers rated at 92db SPL would the ChorusII with a 101db SPL be as "loud" If I run them with a 25wpc amp? Am I figuring it correctly? I took 200w(into 92db speakers) /2=/2=/2 equals 25w (into 101db speakers)

---------------- On 10/6/2003 6:21:26 PM bkrop wrote: BTW use the dealer locator on the main page or current speaker model page, a new dealer is listed in the back mountain area! Don't know anything about them or what besides Klipsch they carry but Trucksville is much closer than Vestal NY. ---------------- How did you find Trucksville? The closest I found was Selinsgrove, which is not much closer than Vestel.. (Not counting Best Buy) I drove through Trucksville every day when my dept (Telephone Co.) was out near the Lake. I don't remember seeing any shops out there. Voitek is in Kingston, but they don't have much, and half of that is in boxes rather than setup as demo. N/M.. I found it... I will have to stop by there, just to see what they have.

---------------- On 10/6/2003 4:32:31 PM dgb wrote: Dude, you've got to be kidding. I just emailed them about trading my KG4s for those ChorusII! I'll race you for em! ---------------- Not kidding . But check anyway, right after I got back, they were not listed on the site.. Shortly after(couple days), they had a set listed again... Could very well be another set. Brian told me they do not last very long after they get them in. I just happened to decide to upgrade, and ran across the site..(infact I did a search for McIntosh just to amuse myself) At least they better be another set.. they are almost paid of I am going to try like heck to pay them off in the next two weeks, so it's not too cold when I am carting them back in my pickup.

---------------- On 9/26/2003 4:14:02 PM bkrop wrote: Clarks summit? ---------------- Close...... Wilkes-Barre

---------------- On 9/26/2003 2:48:18 PM Frzninvt wrote: You probably got overcharged for them, Audio Classics is notoriously high priced. Although seeing as they are nearby and you were able to audition them and view them that is obviously a big plus. Many of the amplifiers that you listed will sound good with the Chorus II's. ---------------- Actually I think they were pretty fair on the price.. I seen 2 pair go on ebay for about $100 cheaper. However, I got to check them out, I won't have to pay for shipping since I drive a p/u, and best of all.... I have never been to a place that hooked up the speakers, turned the equip. on, and said "there it the volume control, enjoy" and then leave the room. They had them listed as a "B" which is "light scratches" I couldn't find one defect on them.. I was very pleased with my service there so far.. I am one of those that would rather spend and extra hundred or two and build a relationship with a specific dealer, rather than order something off the internet from some place that won't exist next year. The really sad part is, there used to be some really good shops in the area, but all have closed. .. This is probably about the 2nd closest to my house. The couple shops in Allentown, PA may have them beet by about 10 min. driving time.

It has been quite a while since I have been looking at audio equip. I recently decided to start looking, and the first thing I decided to look for was a new pair of Chorus II speakers, when I found that they were no longer made, I was quite dissappointed. After spending some time looking at current model speakers from quite a few different manufactures, I just couldn't seem to find anything appealing. It seems like everything it "satelite" type setups. As well as the lack of selection in 2 channel audio systems. By chance, I ran across Audio Classics in Vestel NY and found a pair. Needless to say, I waisted no time arranging a trip there to have a look/listen. The room I listened to them was about 2-3 times the size of the room I am putting the speakers in. It also had concrete floors and solid walls. I am confident these speakers will rock quite well in the room I am putting them in with wood floors. My music preference includes pretty much everything from Hardcore/Punk to music such as Tori Amos. Including Country, Blues, and even some raver type music.. Whatever the mood fits... Some music I listen too has some pretty heavy bass (NOT RAP) but stuff like Korn, RATM, Sepultra are a few examples, If I am in an odd mood, I will listen to something like Beastie Boys. When I bring them home (probably the end of next month, since they are on layaway) I will run them with the poweramp section on my Hitachi SR2004 that I dug out of the closet. But I am going to be looking into getting a new (or used) Preamp/Amp/Tuner components. Now the point of the last three paragraphs.. I am not sure what to go with for a power amp. Some amps I was considering.... Adcom GFA5800, (2)Adcom GFA555(origional) bridged, (2)NAD 208THX (bridged as well).. If I save up, I can probably be able to walk into a used MC7200 McIntosh, or a Krell KAV250A. I think the McIntosh MC7200 is absolutely beautiful. Will it deliver the hard hitting bass in some of the music I listed above? Some of the models have an "N" on the end of them(MC7200N) what does that meen? Any preamp suggestions? Does anyone have any advice or experiances to offer? Thanks, Bob