Proac 2.5 clone, what Amplifier

[kevinkuang]

Hi, I will finish my proac 2.5 clone soon, it's said that the proac is better if drive by tube amp, but how about ss?

1. is there any tube amp (or kits) under $500 will match the proac 2.5 clone well?

2. what's the minimum power output of the tube amp for this speaker(86db)? room size: 15' x 10'?

2. How about the nad and rotel amp for this speaker?

3. Or other SS amp under $1000 suitable for this speaker?

waiting for your input

b.regards
kevin

[kevinkuang]

please, some one give some input...

[jleaman]

Why not Build a Nice Gain Clone ?

[tktran]

Hello,

A1- I'd like to know this too!

A2- This speaker, like many other midwoofer/tweeter 2 way speakers with full baffle step compensation, has low sensitivity.
Typically mid to low 80s.

The commercial Response 2.5 was measured by Stereophile magazine as 83dB/W at 1m.

Amplifier power really depends on how loud you want to listen, but as a general rule- too much is never enough.
Generally, the following rules of thumb may be helpful:

In-room speaker sensitivity: + ~4dB
Stereo speakers: + 3dB
Listening distance: -6dB per double distance
Amplifier power: 10 fold gives 10dB gain eg. 10W gives 10dB gain, 100W gives 20dB gain.
2 fold power increase gives 3dB gain, so 4 fold- 6dB, 8 fold- 9dB.

eg.
ProAc Response 2.5 sensitivity (anechoic) : 83dB/W/m
in room sensitivity : 87dB/W/m
2 speakers (stereo): 90dB/W/m
listen at 2 metres : 84dB/W at 2m
10W amplifier : 94dB at 2m
20-40W amplifier : 96-99dB at 2m
100W amplifier : 104dB at 2m.
100W amplifier : 98dB at 4m.

ref:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/archives/power.html

A3. I had a NAD C320 (40wpc) paired with the clones, but sold it as soon as I found something better. It's overly warm and lacks detail. The higher power NAD may be better, but I have no tried any.

A4. I have a DIY Rod Elliot P3A. You can build it as 60wpc (8 ohms) and I believe it will be suitable for small rooms. Sitting at 1-3 metres you will never each live concert-like (90dB sustained, and 110dB peaks without significant compression) levels with the ProAc clones, but it will be loud enough to be enjoyable.

[Al.M]

If your budget is $1000 it leaves quite a few amp options, specially 2nd hand. I am not up to speed with the latest mid-fi SS options but since you are int he US on ebay there are often Sumo Nine power amps 70W class A (like right now there is a beauty), old NAD 2030i is great also. I recently tried a Plinius SA100 is didn't like the clone or the other way round. But why not stop beating around the bush or take years to realise, just go for a 2nd hand tube amp of at least 30W using EL34 tubes (realible and cheap to replace tubes), or better still any KT88 tube 50W type amp. They often come as integrated or with pre amps. I think Cayin from China make excellent value amps. Also, old Acousitc Research tube amps. With tubes you need to find out how to maintain them or at least have a technician who can service them once or twice in a few years. You will never look at SS amps, with a few exceptions like some of the ice module amps.

[DaHos]

I have used the following with my clones;

Rotel 1050 = Clean sound but a little weak
Adcom 545 = Clean sound but a little weak
Denon 3803 HT Reciever - Clean sound but a little weak
Adcom 565 mono blocks - not so clean but has the dynamics I was looking for
Mccormack DNA-1 = Bliss

I also would like to try tubes but have yet had a chance to do so.....

Due to there low sen. give them some good SS power and you will be fine..........

[kevinkuang]

I decided to try a tube amp with KT88, what kind of pre amp would be suitable for this system? I mean proac 2.5 clone, tube amp (KT88), ss or tube pre amp? thanks

[dshortt9]

I have used these amps and listed them in order of preference. My Audio buddies and I have used the 2.5's for years before one moved up to the 3.8's. Mine are clones, they have the real thing. Yes, the clones are as good or better than the "real" ones.

VAC Ren 70/70
VAC Ren 30/30
Audio Research VT-100
Pass Aleph 5
Quicksilver M135
Musical Reference RM-200
Sonic Frontiers Power 2
Quicksilver 8417
EICO HF-89 tweaked
BAT VK60
Audio Research D100.2
MusicalDesign D150/D140
Monarchy SE-100

Obviously they are all among the better amps available.
Tubes have the subjective advantage. SS is more neutral and tubes have more flavor but with more transparancy and realism. The top three I could live with forever. I am in the process of building a 300B PP amp because of these results. I might try an Aleph 3 for a listen. This list was compiled over many years.

[kevinkuang]

I'd love to put a VAC in front of my clone, but that's far above than my budget.

I decided to try a tube amp with KT88, what kind of pre amp would be suitable for this system? I mean proac 2.5 clone, tube amp (KT88), ss or tube pre amp? thanks

[dshortt9]

With a phono stage or without? Price range? Which KT88 amp? Need more info.