Are there particular models of speakers that you (or anyone) has found to make a noteworthy pairing with the IDA-8?
I’ve owned an IDA-8 since they first hit the market, and I still like and use mine. I’ve used it to power a pretty wide range of speakers in this time. Remember: It’s only 100w/ch, so it won’t do well trying to power low sensitivity speakers or speakers in a huge room.
Okay, I’ll provide two groups - one for speakers that didn’t seem to pair well, and one for speakers that seemed to pair well. [I’m using my phone to type, so I may make changes once I get home.]
Inferior pairing:
Fritz Loudspeakers LS/5-R (83.5dB), Daedalus Audio Apollos (96.5dB), PranaFidelity floor standing speakers 'Vayu', Lawrence Audio Cellos
I'm back on my laptop, so here's a little more info: The LS/5-R monitors are hungry little guys that really need more power to 'sing'. The IDA-8's 100w doesn't do them justice. My Apollos are very efficient, but they sound thin when powered by the IDA-8. I don't recall the Cellos' efficiency, but they, too, sounded thin. The Vayu sounded a bit thin, too.
My take away is that the above big speakers just sound better with more robust amps.
Good pairing:
ProAc Response D2, Adelphos two-way monitors using SB Acoustics Satori drivers designed by Jeff Bagby (87dB), Daedalus Audio Pans (94? dB), PranaFidelity Fifty/90monitors, Dynaco A-25 speakers, Paradigm Studio 20 v.3, Wild Burro 8” full range drivers on Betsy OB baffles, and CSS Audio Criton 1TD.....(pretty sure there were a couple more, but I don't recall right now).
It seems as though mid-efficient two-way monitors just seem to pair well with the IDA-8. It's got an almost tube-like sound with these speakers. I've got the IDA-8 powering my Adelphos monitors in our BIG family room. This room sucks bass out, but midrange and above frequencies sound great. I've got my TV and a Mac connected as well.