Power amp for Aida IIs?
 

Dear all

Sincerest thanks for the previous advice on how to configure a home theatre setup including Aida IIs. I have moved to temporary accommodation while the builder extends my house - and am locking down final plans for the new setup - and have another question for you all: thoughts on options to power the Aida IIs.

Current plan is to go with a Burmester 911 mkIII (just one to start - and perhaps two to bi-amp some time in the future), but I am intrigued by the option of going with a McIntosh MC1.25kw pair - any experience with either of these combinations and thoughts on pros/cons?

FYI after going back and forth on having a centre vs not I am going without a centre so the current setup plan is as follows:

Main speakers: Sonus Faber Aida II (walnut :yes:)
Rear surrounds (sorry, couldn't resist...): Sonus Faber Olympica Nova W
Pre-amp: Denon AVC110
Power amp: TBD
Projector: JVC DLA-V9R (I think it is called the DLA-NX9 in the US)
Screen: Kikuchi SES-100HDWA

Thanks in anticipation!

I use (3) Burmester 911MKIII Amps, horizontally tri-amped. I started initially with (2) of them, but they really needed the 3rd one to completely open up, and fully flesh out the music.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...1&d=1544895488

Fantastic setup Ivan. That's really doing the speakers of that caliber justice. :music:

It hurts my back just thinking about how you got those 364 lbs. (each) beasts down the stairs and into the basement? :sigh:

Thanks; Carefully... ;)

I heard a pair of Aida II with two of the MC1.25KW at an open house hosted by Definitive Stereo in Seattle. It sounded quite nice. Those big meters hardly moved even at quite high sound levels.

However, I really, really like my Aidas motivated by my D'Agostino Momentum S250 amp. If I were going to upgrade it would be to a pair of Dan's Momentum M400 monoblocks.

I am absolutely certain Ivan's Burmester set-up is the ne plus ultra of Aida setups and I hope one day post-Covid to have a chance to hear them in person.

Now, I sometimes wonder what Aidas driven by D'Agostino Relentless monos would be like, but I've only ever heard the big D'Agostinos driving large Wilson speakers.

I think anything you mentioned would be great, but based on my experience I'd suggest the Burmester or D'Agostino.

What a problem to have, eh?

Best regards,

Steve Z

^^^ Big +1

I’ll leave the light on for you! :hswhome:

Thank you Ivan - such a beautiful setup! Very reassuring to know that the Burmesters fit well (although I think it'll take me a few years to get to tri-amping - something to look forward to! :yes:)

Thank you Steve - very helpful - lovely problem to have indeed :yes:

I'll see if I can engineer a listening session with the D'Agostinos too :thumbsup: