A good amp to drive my AR3a's
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Lorenzo47
Super Member
I have some space considerations due to the fact that my wife has a strong interest in what my listening room looks like! It would be great to use an American made amp, my analog chain be be basically all American then. I had a buddy that drove his 3a's with tubed McIntosh that I recall sounded great - but I heard that setup a lifetime ago - almost! I'm currently using what I believe to be a Chinese made Harman-Kardon receiver that puts out at least 100w/ch. The beast is going South, the phono stage is already gone.
Rob-F
Likes Vintage Gear and DIY
I' too, had a buddy who drove his AR3s with McIntosh. Specifically, he has an Mc275. And it was a lifetime ago in my case, as well. My recollection was that it sounded a bit too tubby--though to be fair, he had his speakers on the floor and near the corners. Remembering how that sounded makes me want to suggest trying a solid state amp--one that has good low-end control over the woofers. And, of course, AR-3s, like most other speakers, should probably be on stands and placed somewhat away from side and rear walls.
I'm using a modern Marantz PM11S2 integrated on my newly restored AR3as, and it sounds great. The amp is rated at 220w/ch into 4 ohms, double the 8 ohm rating, so it has plenty of current.
What HK dual mono amps have 180 wpc? You're not talking about the x30 series, right?
johnda
Addicted Member
The AR3a's have been my holy grail since the start in the 60's with the AR3 speakers. They have two issues, low efficiency and low impedance, that presented a difficult load for an amp. The AR amplifier was rated at 50 watts at 8 ohms and 60 watts at 4 ohms. When the AR amp was tested by reviewers, they found that The amp really put out about 90 watts per channel. That amp worked perfectly with the 3's and 3a's.
Today, the integrated amplifier that I would consider a close match for the original AR amplifier would be the Rogue Sphinx amplifier selling for around $1,200.
I also feel that The Yamaha A-S500 integrated amplifier, with a selector switch for low impedance speakers and rated at over 100 watts per channel at 4 ohms impedance would also be an excellent partner for the AR 3 or 3a speakers.
Today, the integrated amplifier that I would consider a close match for the original AR amplifier would be the Rogue Sphinx amplifier selling for around $1,200.
I also feel that The Yamaha A-S500 integrated amplifier, with a selector switch for low impedance speakers and rated at over 100 watts per channel at 4 ohms impedance would also be an excellent partner for the AR 3 or 3a speakers.
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Lorenzo47
Super Member
I should mention that I once owned an AR amp and I liked the sound of the speakers with that amp. It went bad at one point and I didn't get it repaired and it was lost somehow (don't quite remember) I am currently using a H-K receiver that specs at 150w per into 4 ohms. It too is going bad. The phono section is already gone. I bought it used and I'm pretty sure it's Chinese made.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
McIntosh MC 2100 or MC 2105 and a C-26 preamplifier drive AR 3 fine. They are a 4 ohm load and really need 100-150 WPC high current to sing.
don philipe
Super Member
The AR3a's like a lot of power to reach their full potential.I think any of the higher powered vintage amps,such as Marantz 2275 and up or Sansui 9090 would do you well.
i used to run mine (now gone) with a pioneer sx-1010 (also gone).
they didn't work as well with a scott 222c (also gone)
they didn't work as well with a scott 222c (also gone)
Lorenzo47
Super Member
Yes, I think what you say is likely true. H-K was once a great name. This receiver I bought second hand is certainly not in the same league with the old stuff. Thew phono section went out soon after I got it and I fear the rest of it is not far behind.
I've been crazy about my AR3a's since I acquired them almost 20 years ago (and in the interim, have had the woofers re-foamed and the crossovers rebuilt)...
I'm driving them with a Yamaha RX596 receiver, and it's a good match as far as power (it's 100 wpc into 4 ohms @ .01% THD) and to my aged ears, it's just as accurate sounding as I could ask for.
I wouldn't recommend the 3a's for rock at ear-splitting levels, but for most everything else, it's the greatest!!!
I'm driving them with a Yamaha RX596 receiver, and it's a good match as far as power (it's 100 wpc into 4 ohms @ .01% THD) and to my aged ears, it's just as accurate sounding as I could ask for.
I wouldn't recommend the 3a's for rock at ear-splitting levels, but for most everything else, it's the greatest!!!
I drove my 3a's with an Adcom GFA-535II while I was repairing the Pioneer SX-950 which normally drives them. The Adcom did an excellent job driving the AR3a's to the point where I considered keeping the setup configured that way. The conservatively rated lil' Adcom puts out 60 wpc into 8 ohms and 100 wpc into 4 ohms (which the AR3a's are of course), and it has no problem whatsoever handling 4 ohm loads. I put the SX-950 back into service because it fits in with my setup a little better since I don't have room for separates (plus it also drives the AR3a's extremely well).
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TerryO
Super Member
I have a pair that the original owner gave me and they sound fine. Obviously, they need sufficent power, I think at least 60 watts is needed for most uses as well as a bit of distance from the listener (12 to 15 feet). One other thing that helps, I believe, is to cant the cabinets back a bit to improve the time-aliginment.
Having said that you could also mirror image the drivers as well as redoing the crossovers, but now you're looking at quite a bit more work and expense.
[Edit: The question was what to drive the AR3a's with, and of the gear I've heard with them, I believe that the mid-70's Sansui Integrated amps with 50-60 watts sound as good, or better, than anything else I've heard with them.]
However, one thing you'll probably realize pretty quickly, is how good the
AR3a were and how well they stack up against today's speakers!
:thmbsp:
Best Regards,
TerryO
Having said that you could also mirror image the drivers as well as redoing the crossovers, but now you're looking at quite a bit more work and expense.
[Edit: The question was what to drive the AR3a's with, and of the gear I've heard with them, I believe that the mid-70's Sansui Integrated amps with 50-60 watts sound as good, or better, than anything else I've heard with them.]
However, one thing you'll probably realize pretty quickly, is how good the
AR3a were and how well they stack up against today's speakers!
:thmbsp:
Best Regards,
TerryO
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BayouTiger
Super Member
Seems like the Rogue Cronos is perfect! Compact, American, and awesome sounding!!!
Love mine!!!
Love mine!!!
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