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Integrated amp to power Allison 6s for small space

D

Depthgrammar

Member
Hello all,

I'm looking to put together a system for my ( tiny - 8' x 8' ) bedroom. I'd love to build it up around a pair of Allison 6s - they're the perfect size, I really like the aesthetic & was bowled over by a friend's pair of 5s, so I'm pretty sure it's the sound I'm looking for. I've been reading around a bunch trying to find a vintage integrated that will power them adequately and fit the little amp slot in my stereo shelf ( roughly 18" by 5 1/2" ), and the more i read the more questions come up, so I thought i'd ask here. I don't really listen loud, and it doesn't take much to fill this space. I gather the 6s are 4 ohm, and not the most efficient/sensitive speaker. Right now I have a Nakamichi stasis sr 4a in the space. With my current 8 ohm speakers I almost never get up past 9 o'clock on the volume dial. But Nak originally explicitly advised against pairing this receiver with 4 ohm speakers. So I'm considering other options

It would be great if this amp had a decent phono stage, but i guess i could get a separate pre. Also would prefer black to silver

Anyone have experience running 4 ohm Allisons with a smallish integrated?

Some candidates are:

- Tandberg 3012/3012a - not actually rated for 4 ohm but i see a lot of users running 4 ohm speakers with it, seems to run pretty hot though, which concerns me. But again, I won't be driving the Allisons hard
- Creek 4030 or 5250 or...? These seem to have no problem powering 4 ohm but i see people warning against pairing them with inefficient speakers as sq is not the best. Maybe this wouldn't be an issue in my space?
-Yamaha A1 seems to fit the bill, though I'm not totally sold on what I've read about the Yamaha sound. Tend to lean toward a warm/smooth sound
- Adcom? Arcam?

Any insight or personal experience would be appreciated.
 
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I wouldn't worry about the 3012/3012A in that application. I would just take the precaution of removing the output FET's, cleaning off the old paste and reinstalling them with a thin layer fresh thermal grease to ensure that they shed heat to the internal heat sinks uniformly, should be fine. The amp is 3.25" tall so you have a good 1.25" of clearance for hot air to escape from the amp.

John
 
Fair enough. Have you given thought to any British. integrated amps? Many are designed for exactly what you're looking to do.
 
Since you mentioned Adcom, there is a GCA-510 listed in Bartertown as well as other solid choices. Become a member to gain access.
 
ctjetta said:
Fair enough. Have you given thought to any British. integrated amps? Many are designed for exactly what you're looking to do.
Click to expand...

I have - as in the Creek mentioned above as a contender. Can't seem to find any comparisons between Creek & Tandberg specifically, so it's a little hard to know which way to go. Any other specific models come to mind?

DaveHo said:
Since you mentioned Adcom, there is a GCA-510 listed in Bartertown as well as other solid choices. Become a member to gain access.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I just signed up - that looks like a good deal. I'd looked at the Adcom - especially since - correct me if I'm wrong - it's a Nelson Pass design, or descended from one. I like the Nak Stasis receiver that I have, only reason I'm looking to change it out is to be able to drive 4 ohm speakers. The Adcom doesn't have a phono stage though. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but I'd prefer to have one on board if possible.
 
what Nakamichi STASIS receiver do you have that won't run 4ohm speakers...?...according to the TA series at least Nakamichi designed them to run a wide variety of speakers and they are tested both at 8 and 4 ohm...

Bill
 
silversport said:
what Nakamichi STASIS receiver do you have that won't run 4ohm speakers...?...according to the TA series at least Nakamichi designed them to run a wide variety of speakers and they are tested both at 8 and 4 ohm...

Bill
Click to expand...

Hmm - you're right. I've been reading so many threads I got it in my head that I read that 4ohm was a definite no-no with these receivers, but googling now I can't find where I saw that. I think i was looking at this thread, which seems to suggest 4 ohm is not the best idea:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/nakamichi-sr-3a-4ohm.781606/

and also a review that says the sr 4a is much happier with 8ohm loads. I checked the user manual this morning and there's no warning against driving 4 ohm speakers. I guess I should see how the Nak fares with the Allisons when i find a pair.
 
good reading there too...and at least one member there appears to know much more about Nakamichi than I do...not knowing what Nak you have might make a difference too...good luck with your choice and experiment

Bill
 
Keep a lookout for a TEAC A-H500i amp! I believe it to be a reference series...
Just from my experience it digs deep like NAD amps do and yes my Allison CD-6’s sound improved compared with my Denon, Yamaha and Toshiba amps.
Also it’s a classy looking number too........
 
Ok, so I now have a pair of Allison 6's in house for a month or so. They're awesome and perfect for my space. I've been running them with the Nakamichi SR-4A, and while they sound good, I suspect I can get more out of them. With the Nak they are very precise but lack a bit in body and 'prat'. I hooked them up to a Marantz 2270 that has some issues and they sounded much fuller & more powerful but hazier, less precisely controlled. So I think I'd like to try another option or two, just to see if I can get the right synergy. Ideally I'd like really tight control with body/fullness that doesn't spill over into imprecision/swirl.

-Tandberg 3012 is still a leading contender - I've heard it described as both 'warm' and 'dry,' so I'm not sure what to expect. But it does have more power...
-I've also added Sansui AU 317 to the list of options to consider - heard a friend's Sansui (Au 517?) recently and it seemed like it might be a fit, but then I'm not sure how it would fare with 4ohm Allisons. Anyone try this?
- Lastly to stay with Nakamichi I'm looking at the 410/420 pre and power amp combo. I have a headphone amp from Lake People that I love which I've read is based on the 420/620. It does exactly what I want with my headphones (hd650) - body, fullness/roundness, touch of warmth, without ever losing its iron grip. Maybe the Nak combo could do the same for the Allisons?
 
http://www.echohifi.com/details/12851/Acurus_DIA-100

OK, I don't know from this vendor, but this link is for the sale of an Acurus DIA-100. A fabulous integrated that totally flies under the radar. I own one. It ain't goin' nowhere.

There's a very good Stereophile write up on it; I couldn't quickly find it in it's entirety, though with more time it could be found..

This link-
https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/70739/acurus-dia-100-integrated-amplifier-by-mondial
Is a fairly good write up.

This will absoutely will run 4 ohm loads. All day long.
NO phono section. But you know you can add a good one.
And no, it's not too much power.

If you're looking at separates keep in mind Adcom, Rotel, and B&K. Should all be available at reasonable prices.
If you have a receiver with an amp out option that would be your tuner/preamp unit. (The 2270?)
The NAK SR-A4 shows a "Processor Loop". That won't work.

Keep us informed
 
Thanks - I'll read up on the Acurus & keep an eye out. Looks like it might be a little big for the shelf I have though... having a hard time finding dimensions
 
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