Monitor 10's - recommend an amp?

Polaris26

Hello,

I am currently awaiting shipment of a pair of Monitor 10's with the Peerless tweeters, and I am looking for recommendations on good amps to pair with these. Up until recently, I was running a pair of Monitor 7's (also with the Peerless tweeters) with a Denon PMA-1520 integrated amplifier. I was planning on using this amp with the 10's, but unfortunately, I had a nearby lightning strike in the mean time that took out the Denon. (I am pretty sure it's not easily/cheaply fixed - the one regulator rail failed and sent -60 volts to all the chips on one of the boards - and some of those chips are very hard to come by).

So now unless I can find another of these PMA-1520's or similar, I am open to suggestions for other amps in a similar power range (100+ watts) that would do the 10's justice.

So far some amps I was thinking of were power amps like the Adcom GFA-555 II or a Carver TFM-45 or 55. I would then have to get a preamp, which up until now I haven't had to worry about. Either something like that or an integrated similar to the Denon PMA-1520 that died, such as the PMA-900V or similar.

I listen to all sorts of music, and I like something that sounds smooth and musical without being too colored, perhaps erring slightly toward the 'warm' side of things if anything, having been a tube junkie in the past.

The budget is a little tight now so I am looking for something under $600 total, either as an integrated, or power plus preamp. Any recommendations on integrateds or power-plus-preamp combos (a phono stage would be good) would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
Dave

gdb

$600.00 should be enough to set you up with a Carver or Adcom amp & pre. A Carver TFM-25 0r TFM-35 would be plenty of power for the 10s, I can't say which models of Adcom would suit your needs/budget. Good luck !

halo71

I am running a Onkyo M504 on my 10's and couldn't be happier. Well....unless I had a nice tube amp that is.

helipilotdoug

+1 on the Carver amp and pre. For $600 you can get a lot of great Carver equipment. You can find a nice pre or pre/tuner, and something like a A-500X, TFM-25/35/45, which would give you great sound from 225 to 375 watts. And you can stay within your budget. Highly recommend the cool running Carver stuff.

Rev. Hayes

Personally I would avoid the adcom stuff if you really prefer the "warm" sound. I ran some 5jr+'s for a while with and adcom amp and I thought it was a little sharp. I'm now running 10's with the B&K listed in my sig. Keeps those beautiful Peerless tweets from ever getting too "splashy"

rayslifecycle

I have been looking at this Music Hall amp for mine. We got one for the office and it has a real balanced and supported sound.
Has anyone else gotten one of these?

Polaris26

Interesting thing about the Carvers - I always wanted one when I was younger - but I seem to remember reading somewhere recently that the power ratings were inflated - more like peak power than continuous. I don't want to crank the Monitor 10's to oblivion, but I like an amp that has that effortless reserve power that makes the music come across more dynamically. I'll check into the other amps too. BTW - anyone using any of the older Denon integrateds with the Monitor series?

thanks,
Dave

cwilliams

Polaris26 wrote: »

...but I like an amp that has that effortless reserve power that makes the music come across more dynamically.

NAD does very well in that department. Lots and lots of used stuff out there!

nooshinjohn

Polaris26 wrote: »

Interesting thing about the Carvers - I always wanted one when I was younger - but I seem to remember reading somewhere recently that the power ratings were inflated - more like peak power than continuous. I don't want to crank the Monitor 10's to oblivion, but I like an amp that has that effortless reserve power that makes the music come across more dynamically. I'll check into the other amps too. BTW - anyone using any of the older Denon integrateds with the Monitor series?

thanks,
Dave

The Carver's have more than enough juice to get the job done and thensome.
If you live close to Indianapolis, I welcome you to drop by and hear them for yourself. I would suggest a TFM-35 or an M500 for you and your application.:)

The other amps will get the job done nicely as well, but you owe it to yourself to hear Carver sometime in a proper set-up.:)

Tony M

Luxmans are great too.

NAD is what I'm using with my 10's/w/peerless now. With all setting flat, it just sounds nuetral. Turn the treble up a notch, WOW...AIRY;)!

george daniel

Polaris26 wrote: »

Interesting thing about the Carvers - I always wanted one when I was younger - but I seem to remember reading somewhere recently that the power ratings were inflated - more like peak power than continuous. I don't want to crank the Monitor 10's to oblivion, but I like an amp that has that effortless reserve power that makes the music come across more dynamically. I'll check into the other amps too. BTW - anyone using any of the older Denon integrateds with the Monitor series?

thanks,
Dave

Maybe you should ask the folks at the Carver Forum, they have a few resident amp experts with alot of experience,give it a shot,\i;m sure that you will receive some good advice.

Zitro

With $600, you can find a very nice vintage receiver if you want to make a vintage rig. I understand that's not for everyone. If you want to go with something newer, my NAD really drove the Polks well, and if you are looking for reserve current and a warm sound, NAD might have what you need. A lot used in the $600 range.

weitrhino

Polaris26 wrote: »

Interesting thing about the Carvers - I always wanted one when I was younger - but I seem to remember reading somewhere recently that the power ratings were inflated - more like peak power than continuous. I don't want to crank the Monitor 10's to oblivion, but I like an amp that has that effortless reserve power that makes the music come across more dynamically. I'll check into the other amps too. BTW - anyone using any of the older Denon integrateds with the Monitor series?

thanks,
Dave

Dave, first a note about Carver amps. In many cases their power ratings were understated, not inflated. Carver published true RMS specs. Much of the Carver appeal is due to the magnetic field power supply. The tfm-6, 15, 25, and 35 in all their varieties are not mag filed designs but are fine sounding amps in their own right. If you have $600 to spend, take half and try an M500t, M1.0, or M1.5t. If for some insane reason you don't like it you'll easily be able to get your money back out of it. But be careful. It's far more likely you'll want another one instead.

Second, am I reading a confusion between amplifier power and volume? Having power in reserve does not equate to volume, it is only one factor.

nduitch

There is a nice looking Carver 0.5t on Chicago Craigslist for 150.00 bucks!

Nevermind, its sold

helipilotdoug

Dave, Just get your ears on a Carver. You'll love the sound.

Polaris26

OK thanks again everyone - just one more question RE: Carver - what's the deal with this 'Sonic Holography' stuff - it always seemed gimmicky to me - is it something you can turn off if you don't like it? I noticed Carver made some integrated amps as well - but they have that Sonic Holography as a feature - anyone shed some light on the usefulness of this?

thanks again,
Dave

mhardy6647

Yamaha CA-1010 or CA-2010.

gdb

For all intents and purposes, the Sonic Holography "gimmick" is the same as the SDA "gimmick" on Polks. Yes it can be disabled, unlike the SDA effect. Sounds to me like you'd be better off with your Denons.:rolleyes:

Eddie_The_Knife

Carver amps have alot of power to give out just remenber most of the Carver amps that you are looing at like the TFM-35,45,55 and the TFM-75(two on this one) require a good wall outlet to power them! If you want to punch it up a bit you can upgrade to a Sunfire 300x2 or 600x2 you will never run out of juice out of those two! Just my 2 cents! Eddie!

PS Hi to all my Polk buddies that are also on the Carver forms!

george daniel

Hello Mr Knife

helipilotdoug

Polaris26 wrote: »

OK thanks again everyone - just one more question RE: Carver - what's the deal with this 'Sonic Holography' stuff - it always seemed gimmicky to me - is it something you can turn off if you don't like it? I noticed Carver made some integrated amps as well - but they have that Sonic Holography as a feature - anyone shed some light on the usefulness of this?

thanks again,
Dave

Sonic Holography, as gdb said, is much like what you get with the SDA speakers, except it's done in the preamp, and not by the speakers. It's a very good system for those who are not using SDA type speakers. And from what I've heard, you should use one or the other, not both. Sonic holography can be turned off on the preamps that have it. Hope this helps.

toucanet

Polaris26 wrote: »

OK thanks again everyone - just one more question RE: Carver - what's the deal with this 'Sonic Holography' stuff - it always seemed gimmicky to me - is it something you can turn off if you don't like it? I noticed Carver made some integrated amps as well - but they have that Sonic Holography as a feature - anyone shed some light on the usefulness of this?

thanks again,
Dave

If you are in the Atlanta area, you are welcome to come and check out some Carver gear in my man cave. I have several TFM-55's and A-760 amps. Heck, I might even sell you one of them if the weather is nice.

Seriously, there is a lot of knowledge on this site as well as the Carver Audio website. There are no stupid questions. Trust me, I've already asked all of them:D

Polkersince85

The Carver TFM-35 and C-1 preamp would be a very cost effective combo for your Polks. You would run out of speaker before the Carver gives out. They are a good match for the money. The C-1 has a very good phono section. The TFM-35 can drive my 2.3tl with no problem.

george daniel

toobs and 10's :cool:

Pycroft

I've heard my Monitor 7C's with a B&K ST-140 and it was just beautiful! I've also just sold a Carver TFM 35X and it powered Polk SDA 1C's - also beautiful! I'm sure any of those listed above will be a great fit - but you'll have to experiment to find the ideal sound for your ears.

James

mhardy6647

george daniel wrote: »

toobs and 10's :cool:

I have to say that my much-beloved Monitor 7As weren't great on an EL84pp amp. I was a little surprised. Cannot remember if I've tried the (slightly scroungy) Monitor Series Model 10s I have with a vacuum tube amp.

cincycat13

I was fortunate enough to pick up a set up Montior 7's with Peerless tweets from a fellow member about 5 months back. They are paired with a Carver C-1 pre and a Carver M500 amp. This set up sounds good in my room.

cnh

mhardy6647 wrote: »

I have to say that my much-beloved Monitor 7As weren't great on an EL84pp amp. I was a little surprised. Cannot remember if I've tried the (slightly scroungy) Monitor Series Model 10s I have with a vacuum tube amp.

Somehow I think, with a peerless, perhaps a good SS amp may be preferable? I fully understand what you're talking about above.

But then again...there's that Synergy--gremlin!

cnh

Toy Maker

Based on your price range, and power needs and your love for "tube sound" I would recommend a Carver TFM-45 or a M-500t I prefer the newer model TFM-45 (mainly for cosmetic reasons) Your $600 price range should give you plenty of room with either Carver amp, and both will give you TONS of headroom, if you are only looking for 100w. The TFM-45 was supposed to be tuned the closest to the original Carver Silver-7 tube amps, of all the SS amps they built. I owned (2) TFM-45's and ran the hell out of them. Great sounding and performing amps !!! You can't go wrong with one.