Audio Research DS450M

tratliff
tratliff Posts: 1,701
in 2 Channel Audio
Anybody have any experience with these? Any feedback on performance?

I have a lead on a pair. They are class D, I have never owned any class D amplifiers and am looking for high power, mono blocks that will provide tight, clean power for the Legacys.

Any feedback is appreciated.

thanks
2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
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Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    No experience with them, but looking at the specs I would imagine tight clean power is what you'll get. Question is, what kind of sound are you looking for to mate with what pre amp ? The AR's seem to be very neutral in their presentation, is that what your aiming for ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

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    Sonos zp90
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  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,701
    Tony - thanks for the feedback. I am looking to replace the M-180s. Would be pairing it to the Cary SLP-05 preamp. Looking for an amp that will provide precise control of the lower region but also tame the super highs that the ribbon tweets sometimes produce.
    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    I'm a bit surprised the M-180's didn't do that. Tube amps with a tubed pre and you still have to tame down the highs ? Something seems amiss.

    What kind of interconnects and speaker cables are you using ? Do you have any room treatments ? I might look into those 2 things before amp hunting.

    Do you have a dac in the mix ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,701
    I don't have to tame down the highs with the M-180's but I want to make sure that I don't encounter a problem with the highs when I switch amps. As the speakers seem to be rather sensitive in that region.

    No dac right now.
    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    tratliff wrote: »
    I don't have to tame down the highs with the M-180's but I want to make sure that I don't encounter a problem with the highs when I switch amps. As the speakers seem to be rather sensitive in that region.

    No dac right now.

    Not following....why switch amps then ? The 180's not doing it for you in the lower regions ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,701
    Correct. Looking for more bottom end.
    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    Gotcha, understandable with tubed amps to some degree. Didn't you have a McCormack amp laying around ? Maybe my memory is shot . lol

    If you go digital amps, use the balanced connections, hopefully the Cary will take over those highs and the digital amps will no doubt give you the grunt on the bottom end. I would also look into AZ Satori speaker cables, if your still using Dougs. Lots of tight bottom end and more layered without any harshness on the higher end too. I've turned RCWagner onto them and he seems tickled pink. I know our speakers are different, but they both still carry that Legacy sound.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited September 2015
    i also have the cherry digital amps.
    wish i had the coin for these.
    https://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-magnus-ma300-stereo-amp-trades-ok-save-7-000-2015-08-25-amplifiers-33920-alva-fl
    they forgot to mention that it weighs 160 lbs!
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    WOW that Magnus is one heck of a beast!
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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