Preamp/Amp Pairing w/ Paradigm Studio 100 v.4

phuz

AndyGwis wrote: »

The 200.2 has impressive stats, including like 75 amps of current. Dats a lot of current.

When I first plugged mine in and powered it up at home, it tripped a breaker!

kitjv: Demo the Rotel and B&K if you can. I think the B&K will probably be a better match for your speakers considering what Emlyn said. Also, let us know what you go with and why. We always love hearing the opinions of new ears.

cfrizz: Nobody was putting Rotel down or being condescending. I used the term "mid-fi" and I put it in quotes like that because I don't normally use the word, and to try put a bit of a negative spin on the term here. It's a very subjective thing, but it is also common in this hobby. I own Rotel, lots of folks around here own Rotel, and we all love it. The point was to recommend getting better equipment for the money, not to knock Rotel or other "mid-fi" brands.

cfrizz

Now Ricardo, I generally say you SHOULD get 200wpc or more. And I don't ever think I've said that anything less isn't good enough. But I also tell them the benefits of doing so & what they will gain from it, and what is at risk if they don't. Especially when it concerns the LSI's.:)

They should know that they are free to audition/buy anything they like, including less wattage.

I have been around enough boards to see people get less wattage & say that they didn't/couldn't hear that big a difference.

I think Kex is one who got the 125wpc Emotiva & wasn't the least bit impressed & tossed it onto the For Sale forum.

Now when you see enough of those, why would you suggest a lower wattage amp?

But there are plenty of examples on here from people who have gone 200wpc & up & absolutely love it!:D

Ricardo wrote: »

Who in this forum repeatedly says that you MUST have 200WPC or more??

That anything less is not good enough????

I've never heard you Cathy say "go listen to a 100WPC, then a 200WPC and decide which one you like best"

AndyGwis

Frizzy,

I was going to run some LSi15s on a B&K 125.2 I recently picked up. . . and it's only like 125wpc 8 ohms, and an astoundingly low 185wpc into 4 ohms!!! :eek::mad::eek::mad:

Thank God I came to my senses and got a 300wpc 4 ohm integrated amp instead.

cfrizz

Well Andy, if you're not happy with your integrated, feel free to get the B & K 125.2 & see how it works. You have been here long enough to be well informed about such things!:p;):D

AndyGwis wrote: »

Frizzy,

I was going to run some LSi15s on a B&K 125.2 I recently picked up. . . and it's only like 125wpc 8 ohms, and an astoundingly low 185wpc into 4 ohms!!! :eek::mad::eek::mad:

Thank God I came to my senses and got a 300wpc 4 ohm integrated amp instead.

dorokusai

I need more than 200wpc because I have a small ****.

cfrizz

TMI!!!:eek::eek::eek:

I could have done very well without knowing that Mark!:eek::p:D

ROTFLOL!

dorokusai wrote: »

I need more than 200wpc because I have a small ****.

cfrizz

I know you have Rotel Phuz, which is why I was so surprised when you put the label on it.

I absolutely agree that people should get the best equipment they can for their money, I just think it can be accomplished without the midfi, hifi labels.

Just putting all the names out there & letting him check them out on Audiogon will quickly tell him what's what & he can decide from there.:)

phuz wrote: »

cfrizz: Nobody was putting Rotel down or being condescending. I used the term "mid-fi" and I put it in quotes like that because I don't normally use the word, and to try put a bit of a negative spin on the term here. It's a very subjective thing, but it is also common in this hobby. I own Rotel, lots of folks around here own Rotel, and we all love it. The point was to recommend getting better equipment for the money, not to knock Rotel or other "mid-fi" brands.

AndyGwis

I was basically just trying to let someone know that I got a new integrated. Should be here soon. . . Musical Fidelity A308. Can't wait to hook it up to both my LSi15s and Thiel CS1.2s. It can run two sets of speakers, which is a nice feature. It pretty much has everything a person could want (phono, high wpc, tons of current, remote, two speaker outputs, etc.).

Anyway, enough about my stuff. . .

reeltrouble1

dorokusai wrote: »

I need more than 200wpc because I have a small ****.

well yea, but you have three of them!!!!!!!!!

Put me down with the gang that would in this case pass on the Rotel.

RT1

cfrizz

Cool! looking forward to your reviews! Isn't getting new stuff fun!:D

AndyGwis wrote: »

I was basically just trying to let someone know that I got a new integrated. Should be here soon. . . Musical Fidelity A308. Can't wait to hook it up to both my LSi15s and Thiel CS1.2s. It can run two sets of speakers, which is a nice feature. It pretty much has everything a person could want (phono, high wpc, tons of current, remote, two speaker outputs, etc.).

Anyway, enough about my stuff. . .

LouisM

I feel I can weigh in on this one. I run Paradigm Studio Ref 100 v4 with venerable Audio Research VT-100 and the new LS26 preamp, also by Audio Research. The results are quite satisfying. (I recently traded in my Magneplanar 3.6r panels for the Paradigms and their Servo 15 subwoofer. Although I cannot say I don't miss the MAggies at times (I found myself more engaged, if less "impressed" with the sound and espeially/obviously the bass impac), I am more than happy with this tube+ hybrid set up. I use it solely for music, not HT.

Hawkeye

I had the Paradigm Studio 100 V2 paired with a B&K Ref 2220 as part of a 7.2 system I had in my old house. The 2220 drove the fronts with authority and gave very clear presentation both in HT and stereo only. I listen to a lot of jazz and my wife likes New Wave. The Pdigms bottom and mids definately shined with adequate amplification. The amp did not seem to over emphasize the highs which I thought were just right.

I moved the 100V2's to a 2 channel rig with the 2220 and ss pre also B&K. There was not much difference except there was less noise with just a stereo pre. I'm sure the XLR's had a slight impact on that point. To my ears, B&K/Paradigm is a perfect match, just like peanutbutter and jelly. My experience with other amps is limited so you'll have to take others advice on that point. I was very satisfied with my B&K and still have some in my HT rig and would not change it.

Gordon

amulford

How big is the room your going to set this rig up in? Are you planning to use this rig for background music on occasion or just for critical listening? ( those 2 questions would drive your power requirements)

Have you considered integrated amps at all?

Given the tweeter, I would try to shoot for a warmer sound, but that's me. Tubes in the chain are a good idea. You can tailor it to your tastes with different tubes.

steveinaz

Wow, I guess I'm a mid-fi slug too, I find the big Rotels built like tanks, sound wonderful, and have tons of power. Maybe I need an emerson.

amulford

Slither on back under your rock, unenlightened one...;)

steveinaz

I think "cheap one" is more accurate...:D

amulford

Word...