gfong Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I am looking for a good 2 channel amp/receiver to match with a pair of La Scalas for music use only. I have IMO two decent AVR's, a Sony 5400ES and a Kenwood THX receiver. I could try the Kenwood with the LA Scalas but again it is an avr and I am only wanting to run 2 channels. Phono and SACD will be my only function from the receiver unless it has a day built in or XM radio. I have a Bellari 130 so I can use that or the phono on the receiver which ever sounds best. I do not want to venture into tubes right now, I just want to stay solid state. What would be some of your suggestions? I prefer new or current but can look into vintage. Is there a go to receiver brand or model that works well with the heritage line or specifically La Scala's? I'm just looking for ideas and do know that people's opinions and hearing is different. Thanks for reading. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 If 2-channel is your primary goal here, I would not hesitate to power a pair of LaScalas with this. http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649181013-nad-356bee/ Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artto Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 (edited) I would think the Sony 5400ES you have would do just fine, that is if it's in the same sonic league as the Sony 5400ES SACD player, which I have, like very much, and is very highly regarded. FWIW I've been evaluating lots of AVR lately to replace a 10 year old HK. I auditioned Pioneer with the D3 digital amps, Denon, HK, all the usual stuff in that price class. IMHO Onkyo kept coming out on top, which surprised me. I finally ended with with a TX-NR939. This is a 7.2 channel AVR but they make something similar in 2-channel. And then of course there's always the vintage tube stuff like McIntosh, Fisher, EICO & such. I wouldn't worry about the Sony (or any other AVR) having "too many" channels for your application. The power ratings are somewhat misleading. Much of what you're not using on the other channels is generally directed to the main front channels anyway, so you end up with a little more power output for 2-channel only. EDIT: and what willand just posted is fine too. NAD makes some great no frills put-the-money-engineering where it's needed type stuff. Edited February 26, 2015 by artto 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 If I were buying, and of course had to recommend something, it would be http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/stereo-receivers/r-s300/?mode=model One thing going for it is that it will drive 4 ohm speakers and your LS dips down there. See the manual for the impedance selection switch. Every once in a while we get reports of protection circuits shutting down with Klipsch speakers and I believe it is because the amps are not happy with 4 ohms. Another thing is that it has variable loudness. This is only available on some older McIntosh units and, historically, some Yamaha units. There are a lot of people who favor Yamaha. You can probably find it cheaper than the MSLP. WMcD 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason str Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I agree with artto, keep the Sony ES. Never heard that particular receiver but owned many Sony ES products and they all were quality great sounding products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kent T Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Simple. McIntosh MAC 1700 or MAC 1900. Sansui 3000a or 4000 excellent for SS choices. For tube choices, HH Scott or Fisher. Marantz Model 18 or Model 19 also good options. Low damping factor best. Few to no IC and simpler circuitry best. 30-45 WPC best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 My LSI splits sound fantastic with a vintage Marantz 1250 integrated amp, or vintage Pioneer SX-1250/1050/950. Also have put a Marantz 2230 and 2226B on them, and while very good, not up to snuff with the two aforementioned.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I've always had good results with Yamaha electronics, powering Klipsch and non-Klipsch speakers. The sound tends to be clear and detailed. As for the notorious impedance switch on some Yamaha receivers, it's best left in the 8 ohm position and forgotten about. When the switch is set to 6 ohms or 4 ohms (depending on the model), it limits voltage to the power section, which results in weakened bass response and limited dynamics. If you Google "Yamaha impedance switch", you'll find lots of info about it. Here's one article in which it's mentioned: http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/yamaha-rx-v4600/rx-v4600-setup-configuration-and-ypao 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J M O N Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 For a two-channel, solid-state receiver, my recommendation would be one of the vintage Nakamichi STASIS receivers (Nelson Pass design). Just make sure the front panel says "STASIS" as not all of the Nakamichi reeivers of the same era/styling have STASIS amps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parlophone1 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I heard a few Sony ES amplifiers and they sounded great to me . Just want to mention that I run my 4 ohm speakers with Onkyo TX-8050 with acceptable results. You can have it new, but it would not be quite in a league with Nakamichi and some other stated above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOGFAN Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 You may want to look for an HK 430 or 730....for the money I think they would be hard to beat. I ran my LS's with the 730 and it was substantially better than my newer HK AVR and my Sansui AU-717 (which was pretty decent). The 730 seemed to really open up the mid-horn on the LS's....and certainly enhanced the low-end. I now have the 730 connected to my Forte II's and it sounds very good! I'm such a fan of the twin powered HK's, that I also have 2 of the 430's......very sweet units. Hogfan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I am looking for a good 2 channel amp/receiver to match with a pair of La Scalas for music use only. I have IMO two decent AVR's, a Sony 5400ES and a Kenwood THX receiver. I could try the Kenwood with the LA Scalas but again it is an avr and I am only wanting to run 2 channels. Phono and SACD will be my only function from the receiver unless it has a day built in or XM radio. I have a Bellari 130 so I can use that or the phono on the receiver which ever sounds best. I do not want to venture into tubes right now, I just want to stay solid state. What would be some of your suggestions? I prefer new or current but can look into vintage. Is there a go to receiver brand or model that works well with the heritage line or specifically La Scala's? I'm just looking for ideas and do know that people's opinions and hearing is different. Thanks for reading. I am looking for a good 2 channel amp/receiver to match with a pair of La Scalas for music use only. I have IMO two decent AVR's, a Sony 5400ES and a Kenwood THX receiver. I could try the Kenwood with the LA Scalas but again it is an avr and I am only wanting to run 2 channels. Phono and SACD will be my only function from the receiver unless it has a day built in or XM radio. I have a Bellari 130 so I can use that or the phono on the receiver which ever sounds best. I do not want to venture into tubes right now, I just want to stay solid state. What would be some of your suggestions? I prefer new or current but can look into vintage. Is there a go to receiver brand or model that works well with the heritage line or specifically La Scala's? I'm just looking for ideas and do know that people's opinions and hearing is different. Thanks for reading. gfong, I had two of the Sony 555 ES AVRs and that is supposed to be the best 5.1 channel Sony ever made. That being said, I would not use either of the two you have mentioned. How old at you willing to go??? I tried many receivers back in the day, and would not hesitate to recommend you check into a Nakamichi TA-4A stereo receiver, or if you like the older silver faced stuff, I also loved my Pioneer SX-3900. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artto Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 (edited) gfong, I had two of the Sony 555 ES AVRs and that is supposed to be the best 5.1 channel Sony ever made. That being said, I would not use either of the two you have mentioned. How old at you willing to go??? I tried many receivers back in the day, and would not hesitate to recommend you check into a Nakamichi TA-4A stereo receiver, or if you like the older silver faced stuff, I also loved my Pioneer SX-3900. Roger I've owned the Sony 555ES stuff & 5400ES. IMO the 5400ES series are head & shoulder above the 555. The Nakamichi Stasis gear is excellent. I'm not sure what all the fascination with the vintage Pioneer solid state receivers is all about. I remember a friend of mine traded in his Fisher integrated tube amp on one of those. Ya, we all thought it sounded great at the time until years later when I hung some tube amps on the Klipschorns. Then I thought, "AH~~~~~there's that sound, just like RIck used to have before he bought that Pioneer receiver. In retrospect, those old Pioneer, Kenwood, Sansui, whatever all sound tizzy to me. That was the high-point of some of the worst sounding solid state amplifiers ever made, including the likes of Crown & McIntosh. Just my opinion of course. But, if you like it, then enjoy it. After all, it's your ears you have to please & not everyone's hearing the same (that's not to say one is better or worse, just different) Edited February 26, 2015 by artto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I'm with HogFan on this one, vintage on vintage that can take down most of the new fangled jobs Matter a fact Hog, let me know if you ever decide to let one of those 430's go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 (edited) You may want to look for an HK 430 or 730....for the money I think they would be hard to beat. I ran my LS's with the 730 and it was substantially better than my newer HK AVR and my Sansui AU-717 (which was pretty decent). The 730 seemed to really open up the mid-horn on the LS's....and certainly enhanced the low-end. I now have the 730 connected to my Forte II's and it sounds very good! I'm such a fan of the twin powered HK's, that I also have 2 of the 430's......very sweet units. Hogfan Same here, love my HK 730. I have a second for back up and a 430 also. Very sweet sounding. No remote, but find a source that has a volume controlled output on its remote and you're good to go. Edited February 26, 2015 by Rivernuggets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Vintage HKs are more expensive than a few years ago: http://www.ebay.com/itm/harmon-kardon-receiver-model730-/321680496199?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae5a6d647# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I'd rather have that 730 for $150 than the NAD for 6 bones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldenough Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Yup! The HK 730 ended my search for a vintage receiver to power my La Scalas, I don't use it much now as I moved on to HK separates. Another recommendation would be the Marantz 2245 a great performer also, there's something about those two that make them really shine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Another excellent choice would be a Luxman R-117 or even an R-115 for that matter. Give DeanG a shout for his opinion on the R-117 that he got from me. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubo Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 (edited) You probably already have all you need. Set up both of your receivers to downmix to 2,0 or 2.1 with a sub, and use the Belari as the phono amp. Audition both of your surround systems, and pick one. I am totally impressed with using a THX surround receiver for stereo with downmixing. Edited February 27, 2015 by Bubo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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