Which amplifier do people run thier S-520's off?

[blakey72]

Hi all. A bit new here so be gentle I'm just wondering what people are running their Usher S-520's off and how they are finding the sound? I've been using Richter Merlin Mk1's up until a few months ago when I decided to 'upgrade' to the Ushers. I'm running them off my CA 740A.

Now it just seems to me that these speakers just don't have much presence compared to the Merlins. I've heard that they are quite picky when it comes to amp matching and thought this may be the problem. They just seem to lack in the bottom end. It's not like they are in a big room (my bedroom 3x3m) and they positioned about 15-20cm out from the wall. Maybe I've just chosen the wrong speaker. How do other people find them? Do you think it's an amp mismatch?

Thanks

Blake.

[A J]

One of the most popular matchings seems to be with Redgums Sonofagun - they pop up now and then for sale here and eBay. Generally something with a good bit of drive and ability to supply strong current seems to be the go. With the right amp they are not base shy.

[blakey72]

Is 35w/ch enough to drive the Ushers? Is this a conservative rating? More amps than the 740A? The 740A is rated at 100w/ch.

Edited August 28, 2012 by blakey72

[pete_mac]

The Ushers are more accurate and less overcooked in the bass department compared to the Mk 1 Merlins. I'm not surprised that you're noticing a difference. I did exactly the same thing a few years back, upgrading from small vintage bookshelf speakers to the Ushers. when you're used to warm 'n fuzzy Richters, the difference will be marked. Not dissing the Richters BTW.

Edit. I'd be inclined to look for a slightly warmer, less bright amp for the Ushers. I have no doubt that the CA would sound great with the Richters, but I can understand why they may not be a good match with the Ushers due to the CA's tonal balance.

The Redgum comes highly recommended, and I've also had excellent results with decent vintage Sansui amps 50wpc and above.

Edited August 28, 2012 by pete_mac

[blakey72]

Thanks pete_mac. So the Sonofagum or something vintage ~ 50w/ch will have enough grunt for them? might look second hand. I've still got the Merlins and a set of Wizard Mk1's so I'll use the 740 with those.

Edited August 28, 2012 by blakey72

[blakey72]

Would a Marantz SR6300 be more suited?

[pete_mac]

I wouldn't suggest that all >50w amps would be up to the task. Much like modern amps, different brands have different 'voicing'. I'd suggest something like a Sansui, Marantz, Rotel, NAD, Luxman etc.

I'm not familiar with modern Marantz amps.

[~Spyne~]

As above, the Sonofagum is supposed to mate with the Ushers very well. So too is the Exposure 2010S.

[SteveC]

I recently dusted off an old original Yamaha CA-610 and plugged in the Ushers and there was plenty of drive and bass. Could not get volume past 9 o'clock in my room. The bass was a bit woolly but I think that is the age/amp condition? This one is only 40wpc so it will be case by case. My Marantz 75w NR1602 AVR is not satisfactory for music in my opinion. Just Ok for my HT purposes.

[Cyber_Murphy]

Hi There,

For my S-520's I use my DIY mono-blocks (based on the SC ULD-MK1).. They are 100 W each and drive the Ushers brilliantly! Unfortunately the sna software upgrade a while back knocked out the photos, otherewise you can read about them here

I did used to use my Class A monoblocks, and although crystal clear, they lacked some punch and intensity.. Either way,, mono-blocks are my preferred arrangement :-)

Ta

CM

[Cafad]

As above, the Sonofagum is supposed to mate with the Ushers very well. So too is the Exposure 2010S.

The Exposure 2010S RRP's for about $2k in Oz (or a discount price of around $1400) so I'm thinking it will not be on most peoples demo list to team with $350 speakers. It is an excellent amp, just in a different price bracket to the speakers. Has anyone tried a Rega Brio R or a Plessis S1 with Usher S-520s?

I may have to get myself a pair of these Ushers, just to find out what all the fuss is about.

[blakey72]

Yeah looked at the Exposure but out of my price range.

[~Spyne~]

Yamaha A-S700 for about $750?

But yeah, with the Sonofagum so highly regarded as a great match for the Ushers, and <$700, seems like an obvious choice unless you're REALLY light-on for cash.

[blueywa]

I recently witnessed the 520's being demo'd with a CA 340A, and they were fine.

I use a CA 740A to drive a pair of Usher Be-718's with great results.

[Catherine Barkley]

My ushers are paired with a Redgum. If anything I would say they were a tad bass heavy.

[New Sensations]

Yeah looked at the Exposure but out of my price range.

You can land one from the UK for about AU$1k.

[blakey72]

Yeah looked at the Exposure but out of my price range.

You can land one from the UK for about AU$1k.

That's not a bad deal. Where from in the uk?

[Dismord]

My ushers are paired with a Redgum. If anything I would say they were a tad bass heavy.

Many have argued it's not the case but I've always found Redgum's amps bass heavy.

I think that's what many actually enjoy since tone controls were declared taboo by audiophools.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Dismord

[Cafad]

Does no one use a Denon or an Onkyo? I'm not sure if they would gell well with the Ushers but they are available for a reasonable price at the moment.

I've heard the Cambridge 840A, the Denon PMA1500AE and the Onkyo A9555 and if the 740A, 700AE and A9355 sound similar to their big brothers then I think the Denon would be the amp to provide the bottom end that the 740A lacks. Mind you, if the Exposure 2010S is available for $1k and you can stretch your budget that far then I would suggest it over these two.

Denon.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Denon-PMA700AE-Black-Finish-Integrated-Amplifier-Ex-Demonstration-/280920594164?pt=AU_Electronics_Audio_Amplifiers&hash=item41682c16f4

Onkyo.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Onkyo-A9355-Black-Finish-Integrated-Amplifier-Ex-Demonstration-/271016822294?pt=AU_Electronics_Audio_Amplifiers&hash=item3f19dc8616

[Dismord]

Duplicate post deleted

Edited August 29, 2012 by Dismord

[Dismord]

I'll stick my head on the chopping block and suggest an alternative most audiophiles will look down their noses at, the best Marantz integrated you can afford.

Don't knock it till you hear it.

Another non-audiophile solution to which you could later on add a power amp, possibly a valve one. ( I know, the conventional wisdom is to use valves in

the preamp and solid state in the power amp but that often results in an impedance miss-match)

http://www.ebay.com....f#ht_913wt_1165

Or if you're determined to have a warrantee :- http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Denon-PMA700AE-Black-Finish-Integrated-Amplifier-Ex-Demonstration-/280920594164?pt=AU_Electronics_Audio_Amplifiers&hash=item41682c16f4#ht_1594wt_1165

Edited August 29, 2012 by Dismord

[blakey72]

I might give them a try on my Marantz SR6300. It's an AV receiver but might give me some idea what Marantz would sound like.

[Dismord]

I might give them a try on my Marantz SR6300. It's an AV receiver but might give me some idea what Marantz would sound like.

No harm in trying but it won't give you the slightest idea what one of the more recent two channel Marantz amps can do.

For reasons I can't figure audiophiles can be somewhat dismissive of these designs yet strangely if you expose them to the results

without them being able to see the amp or know anything about it's brand they tend to approve. Odd, ain't it !

[twwen2]

Has anyone tried a Rega Brio R or a Plessis S1 with Usher S-520s?

I ran the S-520's with a Brio-R for a long time and very much enjoyed the pairing. With the Rega, the Ushers didn't produce as much bass as the Sonofa'GUM, but the overall sound was much nicer. The Brio-R and S520 produced more tonally engaging mids and sweeter highs - the Sonofa'GUM could get a bit thin and "steely" sometimes. Unless you're a bass-head I'd strongly recommend the Brio-R & S-520 combo.

Edit: I would have loved to hear my old Ushers being driven by my current MF A3^CR power amp - I reckon they'd absolutely sing.

Edited August 30, 2012 by twwen2

[blakey72]

No harm in trying but it won't give you the slightest idea what one of the more recent two channel Marantz amps can do.

For reasons I can't figure audiophiles can be somewhat dismissive of these designs yet strangely if you expose them to the results

without them being able to see the amp or know anything about it's brand they tend to approve. Odd, ain't it !

It is odd what some people think. How's this quote. I thought it was quite interesting.

"Stereo amplifiers represent astonishingly poor value for money compared to surround AV receivers, even if you only want stereo sound. The stereo amp has no intrinsic upside; you're just getting less functionality, and paying an audiophile tax for the privilege to buy into dubious and unspecific marketing claims of "better components". Whereas AV receivers are incredibly good value because they're made in enormous quantities, they bundle a great deal of digital functionality into a single product, and the audio performance is held to exactly the same high standards.

(In fact, if you judge a system's sound by its accuracy as it hits your ear, that Denon AV receiver will embarrass the most expensive stereo amplifier on the planet, because its suite of technologies includes an amazing system that counterbalances various acoustic problems in your room.)"

I'm going out to buy a Denon Receiver

Edited August 30, 2012 by blakey72