Another stupid question - passive pre related system build

[_D_S_J_R_]

I tried to 'talk the talk' about the preamp option (Croft), and I still maintain the Arcam pair HAVE to go for the music's sake. The Quad 405-2 with a passive control suggestion is a fair one I think and I could suggest on here that an NVA passive would be an excellent choice for a 405 or two (I don't think impedance matching is going to be an issue) as a stock 303 or 405 is rather sensitive on its input. The 405-2 will hold its value and when funds permit, one of the NVA mono sets could then be considered. Makes sense?

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

I personally don't like Quad amps, I find them flat and uninteresting, this is early 303 and 405 as I haven't heard a 606. Surprisingly I find the old valve Quad 202 more musical with the right system that is.

[Andrew]

The 606 can be a different amp (ie not flat boring and dull) as long as you don't wire it up to a 34 or 44. I'm not a lover of the 405 from the times I've heard it, but it was years ago so I would be happy to hear differently today.

[Oldpinkman]

It is the Quad preamps for me that are particularly dull. I had a 44 recently whilst waiting for the Pip to be fixed. The 405-2 is OK, but better for new opamps, reduced input gain, revised bridge, and hard-wiring. As i said to Kevin the Heat sink, chassis and transformer is worth £250 of anybodies money. Not convinced about dual mono power supply unless you are going to use separate cores on the transformers. If they haven't had a recent service (10 years) the boards need recapping. Curiously the big power supply caps (which I have replaced on mine "whilst the lid was off") didn't really need it. But the 405-2 is decent value in decent fettle

[CageyH-FX1200]

I tried to 'talk the talk' about the preamp option (Croft), and I still maintain the Arcam pair HAVE to go for the music's sake. The Quad 405-2 with a passive control suggestion is a fair one I think and I could suggest on here that an NVA passive would be an excellent choice for a 405 or two (I don't think impedance matching is going to be an issue) as a stock 303 or 405 is rather sensitive on its input. The 405-2 will hold its value and when funds permit, one of the NVA mono sets could then be considered. Makes sense?

I was thinking of a bargain priced 10P and a pre-amp as well. Are Arcam really that bad?

Before I entertain a new amp of any kind, the bits I have for sale on AOS need to go. Another option is to get decent integrated amp, then add a power amp later.
If the amp is good enough, will bi-amping really help?

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

Depends on how it is done. I have specialised in it since about 1990. We have many users here who have made the step with both small amps and Statement Series (applemarc) so ask.

[Andrew]

In terms of your last question, I had 4 monoblocks and thought I would be ok with just two. The difference was fundamental and the loss was too much to endure. It may differ with other speakers but it was a big deal for me.

If I was trying NVA for the first time (knowing what I know now) I'd buy an AP10p with preamp outs plus an A30. If you can get by without the extra amp, then you can always return it. Alternately I'd just try an AP10 or 20 and see what I thought of it.

I've said it before but many people seem to be just fine with low power valve integrateds but think a similarly powered solid state amp is too cheap for them. I think it's because there are so many uninspiring SS integrateds out there. Only a handful out of hundreds tried have really cut the mustard for me. Even some of the Holy Grail models (Nait?) haven't worked for me. Not so the NVAs I've had.

[Oldpinkman]

As Andrew points out, a lot of situations are happy with modest power. Bi-amping is probably a last / late refinement, when you are happy you have the rest of the system right. Anyone got any suggestions for how to do it on the Lowthers?

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

Yes fit two Lowthers per cabinet

[CageyH-FX1200]

My speakers are CLS70's.
Suggested amplifier power is in the range of 40 to 150W.
Sensitivity - SPL/m/2.83V 85 dB

Is a lower output amp really going to be able to do good things? It's probably quite expensive to post Amps back and forward to the UK to find one I like!
My listening space is quite narrow, at 11ft vide. and I am sat about 8ft from the speakers. They are spaced about 8ft apart.
Big floor standers are not going to work in this room (although it's about 20ft long) and has a pent roof, so I think even though I would like to have floorstanders, stand mount is the only sensible option.

This is why I am keen to have a decent amp system. I want to get the most out of the speakers I have, rather than play the 2nd hand lottery, although a few Celestion Ditton 66 are available in the local area. I still think that they will be too big.
Horns are out of the question.