3 channel amps in the UK?

[Verdinut]

Thanks for the suggestion, but a rack mount device with fans isn't for me. I also want something I can demo and get from a typical hi-fi store with wide availability.

As for the fan, at 2.5 meters distance, you wouldn't hear it. I'm sitting at less than 2 meters from 4 fans (4 amps) and I only hear the one from the 4 channel DCA 1824 which is noisier: It has to cool four amps in the same size chassis as that of the 1222s.

 

[PENG]

Thanks for the suggestion, but a rack mount device with fans isn't for me. I also want something I can demo and get from a typical hi-fi store with wide availability.

There is a near perfect amp for those speakers, unfortunately if you are going to be using the SR8012, you would need one bridged stereo amp for each channel. Expensive, but not really too expensive considering the speakers cost $32,000 a pair.

https://benchmarkmedia.com/products/benchmark-ahb2-power-amplifier

https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/benchmark-ahb2-power-amplifier

 

[KEW]

I have Martin Logan Vistas. They dip to 1.2 ohms at 20 kHz. I have been driving them with a fairly pedestrian Yamaha RS500 receiver without issue.
That said, I would try just the AVR, but allow for adding an amp as HD and Peng suggests just in case your speakers are much different or you really like to blast them!

I just looked at the speakers you are considering, and I think you should ignore what I said above!
My speakers are a hybrid with the electrostatic panel crossing to the 8" conical bass module at 450Hz while yours are a high frequency electrostatic panel crossed to a low frequency electrostatic panel at 360Hz.
A low frequency electrostatic panel is not too common, but the salient point is that there is no good reason to believe the power needs of my hybrid speaker are representative of your speakers.
I noticed that 56Hz is the -3dB point. Are you planning to use a sub with them?
A good thing is since your e'stat panel will play down to 56Hz, you can cross to sub at something like 90 or 100Hz, which is low enough that our hearing is very unlikely to detect any integration imperfection between the e'stat panel and the subwoofers. I have to say that I have never noticed anything "wrong" with the sound of my Vistas where the sound goes from E'stat to woofer, but that may well change were I to compare them to the CLX's!

 

[KEW]

There is a near perfect amp for those speakers, unfortunately if you are going to be using the SR8012, you would need one bridged stereo amp for each channel. Expensive, but not really too expensive considering the speakers cost $32,000 a pair.

https://benchmarkmedia.com/products/benchmark-ahb2-power-amplifier

https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/benchmark-ahb2-power-amplifier

What is it about the Marantz that requires him to need to use one bridged stereo amp for each channel?

 

[PENG]

What is it about the Marantz that requires him to need to use one bridged stereo amp for each channel?

It does not have a preamp mode, so the unit may shutdown well before the low gain AHB2 can reach it's rated output.

The Denon AVR-X8500H would have been a much better choice and would not have this potential issue.

 

[Sendu]

It does not have a preamp mode, so the unit may shutdown well before the low gain AHB2 can reach it's rated output.

The Denon AVR-X8500H would have been a much better choice and would not have this potential issue.

Thanks, I haven't actually bought anything yet. I didn't really understand the problem with the Marantz; can you explain in more detail please? How does the Denon avoid it, and what would the setup with the Denon look like? Denon + 1 of the AHB2s?

 

[PENG]

Thanks, I haven't actually bought anything yet. I didn't really understand the problem with the Marantz; can you explain in more detail please? How does the Denon avoid it, and what would the setup with the Denon look like? Denon + 1 of the AHB2s?

I think Gene explained that quite well in his review, under the "Editorial Note" heading.

https://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/marantz-sr8012-receiver/marantz-sr8012-bench-tests

"Editorial Note about Preamp Mode:
I was unable to do a preamp frequency sweep exceeding 1.2Vrms as it tripped the protection circuits since the power amps were still engaged and exceeded full rated power (140 watt/ch, 8 ohms, Av = 29dB). Unfortunately, Marantz doesn't offer a preamp only mode to disconnect the power amp from the circuit if you're using only external amplification. This is something I'd like to see ALL receiver manufacturers offer that include preouts to avoid this very problem I noted. It would also be more energy efficient as well. We will be testing this on receivers going forward and lobbying the manufacturers to include a preamp mode if they already don't. Please note it's unlikely you will ever run into a problem driving external amplification as normal program material doesn't behave like continuous sinusoidal sweeps like what was used on my bench tests."

It may not be a problem for real world use, but you indicated you wanted to listen at THX reference level, so that could be an issue if the matching power amp has relatively lower gain such as the AHB2. Since you are sitting only 2.5 meters from the speakers, it may not be an issue for you, especially if you stick with power amps with reasonable gain, say 28-29 dB.

Since you have not bought anything yet, I think you should forget about AVRs and go with separates such as the Yamaha CX-A5100, the Marantz AV7705, or the AV8805. If you do that, the AHB2 is highly recommended, as it offers the best specs money can buy and is stable down to 2 ohms or less.