Amp/Preamp Recommendation for Revel Salon 2s
brbattles -- Fri, 12/02/2011 - 17:38
Hi everyone, I'm a newbie to TAS's forums. I was hoping I could solicit your advice as well as the advice of the editors of TAS on my question below:
Specifically, I am considering the Revel Salon 2s and was hoping for some advice on what brand/model of amp you would recommend matching with the Salon 2 based on your particular listening experience. I saw that TAS (in the latest issue) highly recommended Spectral electronics (DMA 360 IIs and DMC - 30) to drive the Salon 2s but I'm not sure if this recommedation was based upon (i) TAS critically listening to many permutations of gear with the Salon 2s and concluding that the Spectral gear was the best complement to the Salon 2s based on their listening experience, OR (ii) if TAS's recommendation was more theoretical in nature (i.e. TAS didn't actually listen to Salon 2s with the Spectral gear but concluded that based on past experience listening to the Spectral gear and Salon 2s in independent settings the particular attributes of the Salon 2s and Spectral gear would "theoretically" work well together).
Notwithstanding TAS's recomendation, it seems like many Salon 2 owners have matched the Salon 2s with Levinson electronics, and to this end, I wonder if anyone on this forum has had the opportunity to compare the Spectral gear driving the Salon 2s vs. Levinson gear (in particular the 532 amp) driving the Salon 2s? TAS Editors, based on your subjective listening experience, would you recommend similarly priced Spectral electronics over Levinson electronics to drive the Salon 2s?
Thanks in advance to all!
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I have the Studio2s and drive them with a Simaudio Moon Evolution W8 amp, which I think this combo works well, although it is at the bottom end of the power that Levinson recommends for these speakers.
Levinson recommends at least 300 wpc for the Studio2s so I think you'd need at least that much power for the Salon2s. They feel their 532 dual mono amp is a good pairing with their Ultimata2 speaker line but the 53 mono amps are best.
I heard The Studio2s driven by the Levinson 53s, the 532 and the 532H. The 53s were the best of the group and the combo was pretty spectacular - huge soundstage and subterranean, effortless, detailed bass. I was actually more fond of the 532H than the 532 due to it being a little warmer - I found the 532 to be a little on the dry side. The Moon W8 also has a touch of warmth to it which is why I chose it. I've also heard the Studio2s driven by less powerful amps like the Usher 6.0 at 150 wpc with really good results. I think what more power gets you with these speakers, ultimately, is better contol over the Salon2's 6 bass drivers.
Good luck!
Thanks Cam. I appreciate your sharing your experience pairing the Studio2s with different amps. Would you say the 53s' sonic superiority was commensurate with its substantially higher price tag? Out of curiosity, where did you audition the Studio2 with the amps you reference above? Did you also consider the Salon2s in your buying decision?
The 53's price tag is pretty astronomic, so no, I don't think their price tag justifies the improvement. Certainly I feel my Moon W-8 gets me at least 95% of the way there for less than 1/3 the price of the 53's. I think the 532 and particularly the 532H also offer much better value than the 53s but I thought the Moon W8 had the best price/performance ratio.
I auditioned the Studio2s with the Levinson gear at Star Electronics in Toronto, Canada. I also brought in the Moon equipment, on loan from another store, to Star to compare "apples to apples".
I didn't consider the Salon2s due to their size. My living room doubles as my listening room and the Salon2s are pretty obtrusive. Also, my living room is not that big and I only sit about 7-9 feet back from the speakers. Sitting this close to the speakers, the tweeter on the Salon2s (vs. the Studio2s) would be too high to be optimal for my listening position. Price was also a consideration in selecting the Studio2s over the Salon2s, although I could have picked up a pair of used Salon2s for less than a new pair of Studio2s - so it was doable.
Forgot to mention, although I find the Levinson and Moon "house sound" to be similar, they are not exactly the same. I found Levinson to be a bit more laid back with a super deep sound stage whereas Moon is a tad more forward with a tad more body and warmth. If you like the sound of one I'm sure you'll like the sound of the other but you might have a preference if you hear them back to back.