In article , dersu wrote:

"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...




What amp did the shop use when demo-ing the Magneplanar speakers?

They used a very pretty Perreaux integrated amp costing, I think he
said, NZ$ 8000 odd (GBP 3,000) more than my ears warrant spending!

Don't know the Perreaux. However I'd hope you could find cheaper amps that
can deliver the required currents, etc. :-)


Thus the suitability may depend on your taste in music, the levels you
like to listen to, and the listening room. Hence it is hard to be
more specific in answering your questions without more info.

My tastes are mainly classical from Baroque to Romantic. I listen to a
lot of solo violin - my children are studying violin and piano and I
like to listen to what I hope they will one day be capable of
performing themselves! My listening room is approx. 25ft x 15ft with
an A frame ceiling walls are plasterboard and floor is wood covered
with fitted carpet.

Given what you say about your taste in music I can see why speakers like
the magnaplanars or ESLs would be attractive for you. :-)

I think for the price of the Magneplanars (NZ$ 4,300) there is a good
chance that I will be able to find a decent pair of ESL 63's and so it
is in this direction that I will now progress.

FWIW I am a fan of the ESL63's. I bought a pair the year they appeared, and
still have them - although I recently changed to using a pair of 988's for
most of my listening. In the UK I think you can get secondhand 63's for
around 1000 UKP a pair. No idea how that would 'translate' to NZ, though.

Although the ESL57 was not an easy load, the 63's (particularly late
versions) are somewhat easier on the amp. So, for example, I'd expect the
405 to give decent results with the 63's - although the 'late version' of
the 405 is still probably preferrable here. I use power amps that can
cheerfully deliver over 30A, but I'm sure I never need anything like that
with 63's or 988's. :-)

Happy Christmas and Hogmanay!

Jim

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