Can anyone describe the Pioneer ICE power sound?

mshan242700
mshan242700 Posts: 823
edited August 2010 in Electronics
I own a pair of Klipsch Cornwall II speakers and have been told the Sonic Impact T-amp could be a good match.

Just wondering what the Pioneer ICE power house sound is like, and how it compares to the Sonic Impact T-amp.

Thanks in advance!




:)
Post edited by mshan242700 on
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2010
    For klipsch speakers I'd go a little warmer.
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  • mshan242700
    mshan242700 Posts: 823
    edited July 2010
    Do you think any of the current non-ICE power Pioneers would work well?
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2010
    Home theater or music?
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  • mshan242700
    mshan242700 Posts: 823
    edited July 2010
    Music only.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2010
    For music I'd skip a receiver and go seperates. While the pioneer elite is good for HT it didn't impress me for music.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 18,080
    edited July 2010
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    For music I'd skip a receiver and go seperates. While the pioneer elite is good for HT it didn't impress me for music.

    I agree with you on seperates, but I like the PE for music. Not like seperates but still good. Better then Yamaha..IMO
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,476
    edited July 2010
    Any of the Pioneer ELite ICE powered receivers would work very well but I don't see why you would want one if music is the only thing your going to do with it.

    The SC models have 3 zones , 7.1 , all the processing , Ipod and Iphone connections , etc. If none of this means anything then I suggest Cambridge Audio Azur 840A Intergraded. You will save money and have one of the very best if not the best sounding at this price point.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mshan242700
    mshan242700 Posts: 823
    edited July 2010
    Thanks for everyone's input.

    This is a second, bedroom system.

    I already own a Moth Si2A3 and am thinking about downsizing system drastically.

    I was thinking couple hundred dollars for basic Pioneer or maybe $500 or so for used ICE power amp.
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited July 2010
    If you don't need a remote then why not go with a tube integrated? I might even have one I could sell you if you are interested.
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • mshan242700
    mshan242700 Posts: 823
    edited July 2010
    I have been retubing my Moth Si2A3 to the way Craig Uthus originally shipped it (Sovtek 2A3 and Sovtek 5AR4; have Sovtek 6L7 in there, but Craig said it originally shipped with Jan Phillips 6SL7).

    The AVVT 2A3 and metal base GZ34 currently using are just too lush sounding, and I like the clearer, more dynamic (pratty) sound of the Sovtek tubes with the rest of my components.

    I have a Pioneer 919 in my home theater system and it seems to have a fairly pure, very clear sound that I think might match the Klipschs well (haven't pulled avr to test into that system yet) and just was wondering if ICE power would be even more of that pure, crystal clear sound that I think might match rest of my components well.
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited July 2010
    In the end its all personal preference when it comes to sound. If it was me I would go with some tubes with Klipschs just to tone down the horns. But then agin I know people that like the way horn speakers sound with SS amp.
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited July 2010
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    For music I'd skip a receiver and go seperates. While the pioneer elite is good for HT it didn't impress me for music.

    I have an Elite and I totally agree.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,447
    edited July 2010
    Dump the ICE if you want good 2ch sound. Go with a nice integrated like the Cambridge. I'd stay away from Emo too.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Dump the ICE if you want good 2ch sound. Go with a nice integrated like the Cambridge. I'd stay away from Emo too.
    You mean ICE receiver, there's nothing wrong with the newer ice amps. I do agree with the rest though.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,447
    edited July 2010
    Yes the receiver idea, I just don't get the impression ICE amps are all that warm. Not saying they are wrong, just perhaps a little more analytical than I prefer. I'd like to hear the new generation, perhaps at PF 2010. I know it's unfair for me to generalize so I won't.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • mshan242700
    mshan242700 Posts: 823
    edited July 2010
    I just get the impression my Klipsch Cornwall II and Logitech Transporter will do well with a very crystal clear and pure sounding amp, and it kind of reminds me of my Pioneer 919 in my modest home theater rig.

    Also previously read Sonic Impact T-amp is supposed to work well with the Klipsches.

    I kind of get impression that slightly bright, perhaps ever so slightly etched or grainy, amplification (or cables possibly) matches the Klipsches well.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,447
    edited July 2010
    ^^Huh? I wouldn't pair any of those choices. Ouch!
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2010
    Why not take the Pioneer out of your HT rig and trying it out in that room before purchasing another one?
    mshan242700 wrote: »
    I kind of get impression that slightly bright, perhaps ever so slightly etched or grainy, amplification (or cables possibly) matches the Klipsches well.
    No, quite the opposite.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited July 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Dump the ICE if you want good 2ch sound. Go with a nice integrated like the Cambridge. I'd stay away from Emo too.

    Huh???

    All amps and AVRs sound the same - just like cables, DACs, and CDPs.

    :p;):cool:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2010
    I'd skip the ice amp idea. While they sound great for HT it was a little sterile sounding for my liking. (rotel 1092) Your speakers are very efficient so you won't need lots of power. A nice integrated amp would be my choice.

    I'd look at that Manley Stingray or a Cambridge if I were you.
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  • mshan242700
    mshan242700 Posts: 823
    edited July 2010
    I appreciate everyone's input.

    I am trying to downsize and this is a second bedroom system (main rig is Merlin VSM-SE, trying to downsize to Omega Super 3R, with Joule-Electra LA-100 Mk. 3 and Stargate monoblocks and Lavry DA10), so cheap is the operative word, at least for this second system.
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  • mshan242700
    mshan242700 Posts: 823
    edited July 2010
    delete (though that was an Elite ICE power amp for $200 that just showed up at Audiogon)
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited July 2010
    Your Cornwalls are super efficient. Look into "gainclones" and "gaincards", they usually range from 25-50w. Those are the best amps I've heard on my Cornwalls. They work much better on horns than ICE.
    lol just looked at your post count, 420;).
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,447
    edited August 2010
    I owned a Peter Daniel's gainclone amp with some of the best ancillary parts available. Black Gate caps, Caddock resistors, large toroidal transformer, etc......and I would never put that on a Klipsch speaker. It was a very sterile and analytical sounding amp, even with premium parts.

    But, it just depends on the kind of presentation you want/like. I ended up selling the gainclone because IMO, it never lived up to the hype.

    As you can see we all have different idea's, experience's and like different things and most of us gained these insights by trying many different pieces of gear. In the end that may be what you have to do.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,072
    edited August 2010
    Tubes....anything with tubes in it.
    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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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I owned a Peter Daniel's gainclone amp with some of the best ancillary parts available. Black Gate caps, Caddock resistors, large toroidal transformer, etc......and I would never put that on a Klipsch speaker. It was a very sterile and analytical sounding amp, even with premium parts.
    It works well on a laid back pair of Tannoy's, but I couldn't imagine it on a forward sounding speaker.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited August 2010
    Ouch! Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you guys.
    I think the one I got was voiced to go on very sensitive speaks. The sound was more forward compared to my tube amps but not by much. I have other SS amps that are more forward sounding than the gainclone I used. I had them powering 104db/w/m speakers.
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