Which amps marry perfectly with Monitor 7A

johnwaynes44

I have a set of original 7a's. With peerless tweeters. They really sound good with my NAD 7240pe receiver running them, but I am ready to invest in a nice amp for them. I am undecided between tube integrated, with a separate phono stage or vintage solid state like Marantz, Mac, Sanui, etc with a good built in phono. I have a budget of $1500-$2000, but I just don't want to make a wrong decision and have to try to resale something. I have read a few things about avoiding tubes with these and stick with SS, which I am fine with if that is the consensus. I love vintage 1970's amps and would stay in that world forever, but am open to new. Anyone found the sweet vinyl set up with these that can steer me in the right direction. BTW I run mostly vinyl through a Thorens 160super, and an Ortifon 2m blue MM cart. Thanks, John

codycatalist

I couldn't imagine tube amps to be a bad pairing with these (although they are not the most efficient so you may need higher power models). Vintage stuff is all fine and dandy however with the premium costs of a Marantz or Sansui also comes a couple of concerns everyone should be aware of. Firstly, cost for recapping. Second the scarcity of the parts available although some continue to make these parts since they are so popular.

Could always go the SS Power Amp and Tube Pre route. I find separates to be a great doorway into better sound, gives you the ability to customize more and if something goes out it isn't the whole piece.

Just food for thought, @mhardy6647 have you put your Monitor 7s on your tubes before? I have to imagine you have.

pglbook

Welcome to CP.

I also have a pair of Monitor 7As and have them hooked up to a vintage Yamaha CR 2020 recever. Yamaha CR series receivers and Polk Monitor series speakers (Monitor 5s, 10s, 7s, etc) are a great match. Of course the Yammie CR is a receiver and not an amp, which you had mentioned in your op, but it has great synergy with the Polk Monitor 7As and would be well under your budget. I also ran a Thorens 160 tt via the Yamaha CR 2020 and the sound through the Monitor 7As was fantastic.

johnwaynes44

Glad you say yammy pairs well, the new Yamaha a/s1100 is on my shortlist, or finding a 2010 or 2020. I hear the current a/s 1100, 2000, 3000 have very similar characteristics to the vintage ones.

mhardy6647

codycatalist wrote: »

I couldn't imagine tube amps to be a bad pairing with these (although they are not the most efficient so you may need higher power models). Vintage stuff is all fine and dandy however with the premium costs of a Marantz or Sansui also comes a couple of concerns everyone should be aware of. Firstly, cost for recapping. Second the scarcity of the parts available although some continue to make these parts since they are so popular.

Could always go the SS Power Amp and Tube Pre route. I find separates to be a great doorway into better sound, gives you the ability to customize more and if something goes out it isn't the whole piece.

Just food for thought, @mhardy6647 have you put your Monitor 7s on your tubes before? I have to imagine you have.

I tried mine with an EICO HF-81 (an IMO excellent sounding PP EL84 stereo integrated amplifier) -- the pairing was not propitious. I was quite surprised - not to mention disappointed - by that. I've never tried them with any other vacuum tube amplification.

I -- ahem -- still think that they pair exceptionally well with Yamaha amplificaiton. I can only vouch for vintage Yamaha, though.

My 7As spent three-plus decades happily and productively paired to this CA-610II (45 wpc).

P1020541 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

pglbook

johnwaynes44 wrote: »

Glad you say yammy pairs well, the new Yamaha a/s1100 is on my shortlist, or finding a 2010 or 2020. I hear the current a/s 1100, 2000, 3000 have very similar characteristics to the vintage ones.

I also recently looked into getting a new Yamaha A-S 801 integrated amp but, in the end, I decided to have my CR 2020 worked on. I have heard excellent things about the Yamaha A-S series (801, 1100, 2000, etc). I have not heard them in person myself but trusted audio friends tell me that the new Yamaha A-S integrateds do sound close to vintage 70s Yamaha receivers, but with the added benefit of having all the modern digital touches. I don't think you can go wrong with any of those new Yammie integrateds. The older CR receivers are fantastic but they are over 40 years old so, like any vintage equipment, they will need servicing, recapping, etc. (which I just did to my CR 2020) so that must also be kept in mind when choosing between a vintage Yamaha receiver and a new Yamaha integrated.

aprazer402

First off, WELCOME! The 7's are great speakers that along with the 10's gave Polk Audio it's initial big surge into the hi-fi market in the late mid-late 1970's.

I would suggest that if you like the vintage Polk sound you consider moving up a little to maybe the SDA 2B's or SDA 1C's and match those with a more powerful amplifier. I think that would be a better use of a separate pre-amp/amp.

The 7's will do quite well with a modest SS receiver or integrated amp, either vintage or newer and good sources and cables, as that's what they were typically marketed with. I would definitely keep the 7's but consider upgrading their crossover's as that will improve the sound more than just using a more powerful separate amp. You don't need to replace the tweeters as you already have the desirable Peerless ones.

There are other update modifications to make to the 7's, like; sealing the cabinets for air-leaks, gluing the magnets, eliminating the fuse, and changing out the old binding posts...

It's difficult to determine what condition your cabinets are in without seeing them. You probably wouldn't want to invest a lot of money and effort in something that is not in very good to pristine cosmetically.

Just my opinions. Enjoy your journey!

verb

Welcome to CP! I agree with @codycatalist about the separates, tube pre and SS power amp! I made the plunge and am very happy with em!

kharp1

Welcome. I have fond memories of both my 7's and 10's. I did have one older Yamaha, but, would have to physically go look to see what model it is. I ran them for years with a Denon 80 watt integrated.

JayMX

I quite like my 7C’s on the ol Marantz 1060 which has been partially recapped. Good stuff! Have fun shopping! I wish I had budget like that for a new amp!

johnwaynes44

Tomorrow I am going to my local vintage shop to listen to some amps and receivers. He goes through them, recaps, cleans the pots, etc. If I go that route, I could get a decent tube phono stage that I could build around down the road if I choose to upgrade my cartridge or speakers later, which would give me flexibility with MM, MC and various specs. Mostly what I am hearing is that these pair nicely with vintage SS amps. My polk 7 cabs are not in great shape, but after watching a member here that removed the vinyl and put on new veneer, maybe I could try that. I sort of knew I should stay with a modest integrated but just needed affirmation. Thank you all.

kharp1

I have 2 Marantz 1060's if you want to undertake the project of rehabbing. They could be had for the price of shipping.

delkal

At one time the "word on the street" was that Polks matched well with Denon components. I have a Denon PMA receiver and Monitor 10's from 1988 and I can agree to this for the time period (and my budget at the time).

With your budget and newer components you will likely be happy whatever you pick.

JayMX

kharp1 wrote: »

I have 2 Marantz 1060's if you want to undertake the project of rehabbing. They could be had for the price of shipping.

Let’s talk! I have redone two 1060's (cleaning, caps, etc...) built the wood case In my post above. I’m always up for another project! Currently elbow deep in this model twenty six.

ThomasD

Just recently got back my refurbished Marantz 2230, put it in a new walnut cabinet and hooked up my @westmassguy TL'd 7c's. Man what a smooth, glass like liquid sound. The 7's love vintage power. Excuse the terrible pic, quick set up for my one day home while the wife was at work to hear the 2230 & 7c's together


@kharp1 If @JayMX passes on the 1060's, I'd be interested.

ThomasD

I -- ahem -- still think that they pair exceptionally well with Yamaha amplificaiton. I can only vouch for vintage Yamaha, though.

My 7As spent three-plus decades happily and productively paired to this CA-610II (45 wpc).

P1020541 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr[/quote]

@mhardy6647 Man, what a trip down memory lane seeing your CA-610 II pair. They were my last audio fling as a single man. Bought them at the local 'TEAM' audio store. Had them for 6 or 7 years. Sold them to buy a my first couch IIRC after getting married. Can't remember a darn thing about the couch and don't want to remember anything about the first marriage but can't stop thinking about those Yamaha's now. Great quality gear. Another of life's regrets!!

westmassguy

ThomasD wrote: »

Just recently got back my refurbished Marantz 2230, put it in a new walnut cabinet and hooked up my @westmassguy TL'd 7c's. Man what a smooth, glass like liquid sound. The 7's love vintage power. Excuse the terrible pic, quick set up for my one day home while the wife was at work to hear the 2230 & 7c's together


@kharp1 If @JayMX passes on the 1060's, I'd be interested.

Very Nice!

johnwaynes44

ThomasD wrote: »

Just recently got back my refurbished Marantz 2230, put it in a new walnut cabinet and hooked up my @westmassguy TL'd 7c's. Man what a smooth, glass like liquid sound. The 7's love vintage power. Excuse the terrible pic, quick set up for my one day home while the wife was at work to hear the 2230 & 7c's together


@kharp1 If @JayMX passes on the 1060's, I'd be interested.

That may be the coolest set up ever. In the pass through, visable and reachable from both sides. Not sure the speakers love that space but it looks rad. Beautiful Marantz too. I have never heard vintage Marantz. I will be hearing a few soon when I get over to the vintage shop that recently opened about an hour from me.

johnwaynes44

And the gun safe in the entry way? You're a badass. My wife would leave me for those two infractions. Ha

ThomasD

@johnwaynes44
Just set it up to get my ‘Marantz Fix’. The 2230 doesn’t have a permanent home yet. Having a mcm stereo console built to house it. Love the Marantz sound and sure you will too. As far as the gun safe location, I got the wife’s approval to have in the living room if I made room for her jewelry. But it’s mostly guns. That’s another addiction for another thread.

ThomasD

Pftt.. only one gun safe? Not much of an addiction.

Only need one. It's only used to keep the extra AR's, 10 gauge's, spare 9 & 10mils, fancy little deringers, other assorted personal carry's and a vintage rifle or two along with a couple thousand backup rounds. This is Alaska but most of the dangerous wildlife is two legged. Had a State Trooper tell me years ago that their job was to 'uphold & enforce' the law and it was each individuals responsibility to provide protection for themselves, their loved ones and their own property. Never forgot it. I keep my important weapons out of sight but always within a few seconds reach. My wife also knows where each one is and has the knowledge & ability to protect herself if I'm not around.
My apologies for going off thread. Back to the scheduled programming. Those 7's are one of Polk's true none SDA 'jewel' speakers and will really shine with some tlc and care. Mine impress me and make me smile every time I rotate them in.

BMF35

Find yourself a Marantz 2325. It makes Cerwin Vegas and old Bose 901's sound decent. You should be able to find one in the wood case and already serviced/restored in your budget leaving some money for better cables.

WestCoastPowHound

My 7a's sound great powered by a Marantz 2325. You can really hear that warm yet clean signature sound.

mhardy6647

WestCoastPowHound wrote: »

My 7a's sound great powered by a Marantz 2325. You can really hear that warm yet clean signature sound.

You'll probably like 'em even better if you get them up off the floor.



earlypolkfamilyportrait by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

dromunds

Yeah, as you will notice in the portrait above, the Monitor 7's had stands that tilted the speakers back (IIRC) 6 degrees for phase alignment purposes.

mhardy6647

dromunds wrote: »

Yeah, as you will notice in the portrait above, the Monitor 7's had stands that tilted the speakers back (IIRC) 6 degrees for phase alignment purposes.

... and to get them up off the floor.
They're -- not to be brusque -- kind of not that great sounding just sitting on the floor. Flabby and unbalanced.