Martin Logan Passage and Primare AMP

[dfry]

Hi,

I've got Martin Logan Passages for the 3 front speakers and 2 tickets for the rear. I'm currently using a primare spa20 AMP but the rear channels don't always work (powering on/off sometimes brings them back to life) when watching movies.

I have a separate high end system for listening to music and this set up is solely for home theater. In addition to the speaker issue, the remote doesn't work.

questions:
1. Would you recommend getting this repaired or:
2. replacing the AMP with a newer model (the AMP is 5+ years old).

For a replacement, do you recommend any specific models (someone in the know has been recommending the pioneer class D amps but as I'm not sure what goes well with those speakers, I'm asking for advice here).

thanks in advance.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi dfry, and Welcome to the club.

1. First, I would contact Primare service department or their head office.
From there, I would talk to one of their engineer, and see what he can do for you.
* Just as an aside, do you make the use of triggers in your system?
If yes, can you delay their time longer?

2. Optional: If option #1 is without any hopes (I hope certainly not), I'll see if I can get areplacement for it, from Primare.

*** If any of these two options are insolvable, I highly recommend the Bryston 9B-SST 5-channel Power Amplifier. Comes with a 20-year warranty.
Just mate it with an Onkyo Pro PR-SC886P Pre/Pro Surround Processor.

--> Oh, and just forget about class D amps all together, won't do with your Electrostatics (Advanced Thin Film) high resolution audio sound. You'll loose the air, the space, and the detail from your MLP, and your MLT.

~ For remote, just get a Logitech Harmony 550, it's only 50 bucks.
You can get the codes from pretty much any components in the world.
If for some reason, they don't (which I highly doubt), they will get them for you.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Lordoftherings]

Valuable links & more.

Here's some very useful and informative links from my above recommendations.

1. Bryston 9B-SST Multichanel Power Amplifier.
* Retails for $4,895 (Could be found for about $3,000) > Check Audiogon or Videogon.
@ http://bryston.com/reviews/9bsst/studio9b.html
-> Click on Specs, Features, for more details.

@ http://www.proaudioreview.com/article/432

@ http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/546/

2. Onkyo Pro PR-SC886P * Retails for $2,100 (On sale right now for $999.99).
@ http://www.onkyopro.com/model.cfm?m=PR-SC886P&class=Preamplifier&p=i

@ http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKPRSC886/Onkyo/PR-SC886-THX-Ultra2-Plus-7.1-Channel-3-Zone-Preamplifier/Processor-/1.html

*** Review of the Integra DHC-9.9 Pre/Pro, which is exactly (basically) the same (essentially) as the Onkyo Pro PR-SC886P, less the side bars (rabbit ears), and different exterior case design.
@ http://www.hometheatermag.com/preampprocessors/integra_dhc-99_surround_processor/

3. Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote Control
* Retails for $130 (Easily available for less than $50).
@ http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/376&cl=US,EN

@ http://www.gottadeal.com/DirectDeal/34946


>>>>> If all of this seems too much for you, just get the remote for $29.99, and get this:

@ http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR876BLK/Onkyo/TX-SR876-7.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-BLACK/1.html
* Retails for $1,799.99 (was at release date) - (But as you can see, it's on sale for only $899.99).

* Review: @ http://www.avguide.com/review/tested-onkyo-tx-sr876-thx-ultra2-plus-certified-71-channel-av-receiver


~~~ Whatever you choose from this post, rest assure that it will be the best for your in-wall Martin Logan speaker's system setup.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[bandphan]

Fwiw he doesn't have els panels they are ribbon and cone.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Fwiw he doesn't have els panels they are ribbon and cone.

I know exactly what they are. In-wall Martin Logan speakers with Advanced Thin Film (ATF) tweeters.

They use a similar technology as Electrostatics, but are more like Electromagnetic.
@ http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_details/passage.html

* Very highly detailed tweeters.

 

[bandphan]

--> Oh, and just forget about class D amps all together, won't do with your Electrostatics (Advanced Thin Film) high resolution audio sound. You'll loose the air, the space, and the detail from your MLP, and your MLT.
Bob

The ICE based pioneers will work just fine with these speakers.

I know exactly what they are. In-wall Martin Logan speakers with Advanced Thin Film (ATF) tweeters.

They use a similar technology as Electrostatics, but are more like Electromagnetic.
@ http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_details/passage.html

* Very highly detailed tweeters.

I was just going on your electrosatic quote And while they work on push pull, this models ribbons do not cover any of the mid frequency band un like ELS panels do

 

[Lordoftherings]

The ICE based pioneers will work just fine with these speakers.

I was just going on your electrosatic quote And while they work on push pull, this models ribbons do not cover any of the mid frequency band u like ELS panels do

Hey bandphan, Good Morning.

Well, you like ICE, I like FIRE.

They are ATF (Advanced Thin Film); not Ribbon, not Electrostatics (but based on them), not Dome, not Cone, not Dipole Film base, not Textile, not Diamond, not Gold, not Aluminum, not Titanium, not Plutonium, not ...
They're just not your typical type of tweeters, they are ATF with electromagnetic pulse.

* And the frequencies that they handle, the class D amps (ICE included), will not do them full justice; just like I said in my original post. Because, these tweeters are very revelationary, and extremely detailed in the higher frequencies, where the Pioneer Elite receivers, and most class D amplifiers fail to fully resolve those higher frequencies, and where they lack that last minute detail.

I'm not making that up, I just did some extensive research, before I commit to post my analysed and carefully examinated results.

You have a great day Scott,
Bob

 

[bandphan]

Hey bandphan, Good Morning.

Well, you like ICE, I like FIRE.

They are ATF (Advanced Thin Film); not Ribbon, not Electrostatics (but based on them), not Dome, not Cone, not Dipole Film base, not Textile, not Diamond, not Gold, not Aluminum, not Titanium, not Plutonium, not ...
They're just not your typical type of tweeters, they are ATF with electromagnetic pulse.

* And the frequencies that they handle, the class D amps (ICE included), will not do them full justice; just like I said in my original post. Because, these tweeters are very revelationary, and extremely detailed in the higher frequencies, where the Pioneer Elite receivers, and most class D amplifiers fail to fully resolve those higher frequencies, and where they lack that last minute detail.

I'm not making that up, I just did some extensive research, before I commit to post my analysed and carefully examinated results.

You have a great day Scott,
Bob

Well Bob, Im quite sure I have plenty of experience with both the ribbon systems used in these speakers and the ice based powered pioneers(thats hands on experience Bob). BTW do you know that BG corp makes the ATF drivers for ML, do you know that BG and everyone else calls them ribbons/planars? Do you know what the impedence swings are for the high frequency ribbon? Now please explain in detail why an ice powered pioneer avr will not work please BTW I listen to these drivers every day

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hey Scott,

Is your Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXV has ICE power in it?

OK, I give up, others call them ribbons/planars; fine by me. And I believe you.

Also, I never said that you don't have experience with both ribbon tweeters and ICE power amps. Again, I believe you.
Perhaps, you just assumed that I said that. Assumption is not a valid conclusion.

No, I don't know the impedance swings of the high frequency from the ribbon tweeter. But I can always find out.

I read quite a lot about class D amps, and Pioneer Elite ICE power receivers.
I suggest you do the same.
And you don't need to be sarcastic here...

Like I said, have a great day,
Bob

 

[dfry]

Hi dfry, and Welcome to the club.

1. First, I would contact Primare service department or their head office.
From there, I would talk to one of their engineer, and see what he can do for you.
* Just as an aside, do you make the use of triggers in your system?
If yes, can you delay their time longer?

2. Optional: If option #1 is without any hopes (I hope certainly not), I'll see if I can get areplacement for it, from Primare.

~ For remote, just get a Logitech Harmony 550, it's only 50 bucks.
You can get the codes from pretty much any components in the world.
If for some reason, they don't (which I highly doubt), they will get them for you.

Cheers,
Bob

Thanks, given your comments I wouldn't be surprised if it is a trigger problem so I'll have to figure out if I can play with the delays.

 

[bandphan]

Hey Scott,

Is your Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXV has ICE power in it?

OK, I give up, others call them ribbons/planars; fine by me. And I believe you.

Also, I never said that you don't have experince with both ribbon tweeters and ICE power amps. Again, I believe you.
Perhaps, you just assumed that I said that.

No, I don't know the impedance swings of the high frequency from the ribbon tweeter. But I can always find out.

I read quite a lot about class D amps, and Pioneer Elite ICE power receivers.
I suggest you do the same.
And you don't need to be sarcastic here...

Like I said, have a great day,
Bob

No sarcasim here just facts. And no the 82 is class d but the ones ive been installing for the last year are

 

[Lordoftherings]

Thanks, given your comments I wouldn't be surprised if it is a trigger problem so I'll have to figure out if I can play with the delays.

Yep, it happens a lot. Check the manual of your Primare spa20 Integrated Amp.

* If you cannot delay their timers longer, you can get some power bars with variable timers on their A/C switches. Panamax make a few models. And other companies too.
Plus some of these are very affordable, You might want to give one a try, before you abandon your options.

Cheers & have a great day sir,
Bob

 

[dfry]

Yep, it happens a lot. Check the manual of your Primare spa20 Integrated Amp.

* If you cannot delay their timers longer, you can get some power bars with variable timers on their A/C switches. Panamax make a few models. And other companies too.
Plus some of these are very affordable, You might want to give one a try, before you abandon your options.

Cheers & have a great day sir,
Bob

FYI, I played around with the settings and it has come back to life - thanks.

One thing I changed was the setting for the DVD to DTS Neo:6 Cinema Mode. I've looked it up and it is defined as:

DTS NEO:6 Cinema Mode
decodes with an emphasis on separation performance to achieve the same atmosphere with 2-channel sources recorded in conventional surround formats as it does with 6.1-channel sources. The original 2-channel signal is distributed into 6 channels thanks to the sophisticated DTS matrix technology. Meanwhile, the effect of the surround signal output from the centre and surround channels adds a natural sense of expansion to the sound field.

I haven't had much chance to listen with this setting but I'd be curious if anyone has any feedback or thoughts on this.