Best Amp - Speaker Combination you've ever Heard.

Backpacker

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2020
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+1 on the Vandy 7s with his high pass amps. I heard this combination at Audio Connection and it sounded much better than what I have heard at shows.
 
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mullard88

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2010
948
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I have been enjoying both my main and bedroon systems and I think I am enjoying two of the best amp - speaker combinations.

In my main system, I have a pair of Spectral DMA 80M monoblocks driving a pair of double Quads.

In my bedroom system, I have a Spectral DMA 100S amp driving a pair of Von Schweikert Endeavor E-3 Mk II speakers.
 

infinitely baffled

VIP/Donor
Jul 2, 2015
1,259
387
340
Scotland
Boulder - Focal Utopia.
Such a rich, satisfying sound.
perfect dynamics, incredible extension both ways, wonderful midrange.
I refuse to believe valve power amps would add anything in tonality, even for single instrument or vocal recordings.
I keep coming back to the phrase 'exquisite delicacy'
 

Bobvin

VIP/Donor
Jun 7, 2014
1,659
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Portland
www.purewatersystems.com
Pilium Alexander pre, Hercules mono amps (2 pair) driving Magico M9 at the Magico showroom. Sadly the listening session was shorter than I’d have liked.

Also Mike Lavigne’s rig — Evolution Acoustic MM7 with DartZeel NHB-468 monos, in his amazing listening room.
 

morricab

Well-Known Member
Apr 25, 2014
9,391
4,987
978
Switzerland
Boulder - Focal Utopia.
Such a rich, satisfying sound.
perfect dynamics, incredible extension both ways, wonderful midrange.
I refuse to believe valve power amps would add anything in tonality, even for single instrument or vocal recordings.
I keep coming back to the phrase 'exquisite delicacy'
Best I ever heard Focal was with KR Audio VA 350i on Grande Utopia Be EMs. It literally sounded like a new and much better speaker. I also heard Mezzo Utopia Bes sound very good with the same amp as well as quite nice with a Jadis Defy 7 mkiii. Never heard a Focal sound good with SS ever. I have never heard them with Boulder but can’t imagine owning this brand of speaker without a really good tube amp.
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,411
2,509
1,448
Boulder - Focal Utopia.
Such a rich, satisfying sound.
perfect dynamics, incredible extension both ways, wonderful midrange.
I refuse to believe valve power amps would add anything in tonality, even for single instrument or vocal recordings.
I keep coming back to the phrase 'exquisite delicacy'
I believe Boulder's own listening room uses their 3050 monos with Focal Grande Utopia EMs.
 
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LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,411
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1,448
a few years back at a hifi show I heard sonus faber speakers with mcintosh gear and it sounded like a excellent match I fort.
Yes, a lot of SF owners use McIntosh. I remember doing a lot of reading when we had the SF Guarneris and then the SF Strads (McIntosh 2301 being the most popular from recollection for the Strads).
 
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Cableman

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2013
373
143
175
Audiopax Model88 Mk1 monoblocks with cryogenically treated NOS GEC KT88s and Siemens ECC81 pres driving Audiopax Model150 Loudspeakers. Nothing has ever come close.
 

gian60

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2016
2,503
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Tube
Audio Tekne pre 9501 and mono amp TM 9502
ANJ M10 and kageki
Yamamura 8 stack pre and amp 211 pish pull
Transistor
CH
 
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John C

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2015
12
28
145
The best amp/speaker combination I’ve ever heard is Dartzeal paired with Acoustic Evolution in Mike Lavigne’s listening room. I’ve heard many great combinations but have still yet to hear anything eclipse the system that Mike has put together.
 
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DasguteOhr

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2013
2,354
2,514
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Germany
The best inexpensive speaker i have heard Wharfedale evo 4.2 with musical fidelity amp.I was flabbergasted how good the speaker is, the pair for 550 euros.

wharfedale-evo-42-walnuss-echtholz-3-wege-regallautsprecher-paarpreis.jpg
 
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andromedaaudio

VIP/Donor
Jan 23, 2011
8,354
2,731
1,400
Amsterdam holland
My own .
Now that i have the new Legend pre amp in the system
Its a real good sound , detail is of the charts ive never heard this with a system before and thats with digital , i havent even played tape yet.
Bass definition is also a big step up , very clean/ fast / detailed.

This pre is a detail champ it makes you hear things with digital recordings that i only associated with tape before.
I m astonished how much actually got lost with the previous pre
 

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sbo6

VIP/Donor
May 18, 2014
1,660
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480
Round Rock, TX
So many excellent systems over the years. If I had to pick - Rockport Arrakis with Rel 6 pack on CH Precision preamp /mono block amps.
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,346
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
There are so many wonderful loudspeaker - amplifier combinations! How can one pick a "best ever heard" without considering the room and without considering the source?
 

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