[Gopher]

I've really enjoyed my Melody MK-88 with my VR-33 speakers.  The integrated puts out about 32 watts of Class A power which I was worried wouldn't be enough, but it  controls my VR-33s very well.

The AN211 is supposed to be very robust, but has a power rating of only 16wpc which has  me a little concerned. 

Does anyone have experience or can anyone speculate about the pairing with the AN211?

[Gopher]

No one?   Perhaps 16 wpc is pushing it...   

[woofersus]

We've used the AN211 with the ACA Trinity, which has the same sensitivity as the VR-33, at shows and been very happy with the results.  Also, the VR-33 looks to have a fairly benign impedance curve.  I would suspect the 35w minimum rating is mostly about making sure customers aren't volume limited below reasonable expectations, and not so much that the speakers would perform poorly with less.

Perhaps somebody else who has driven the VR-33 with a lower power amp can chime in, but my guess is that you would have good results sonically as long as you stayed within your power limits.  I don't know how loud you like to listen, but that would be the primary limitation.  It should be great at low to moderate volumes.

FWIW, there is an amp in the same series and with the same price, the AN300B, that outputs 22wpc.  It's a different sound than the AN211, but still excellent, and it might offer a bit more flexibility.

[morganc]

If the Torii didn't have the power for you, then I would be hesitant, having said that I've almost bought the AN211 twice now........so would love to hear your thoughts if you do go that route. 

[Gopher]

Thanks, guys.  It REALLY seems up my alley sound wise, but I'm afraid of that power...

Woofersus,

I like to listen at what I consider moderate levels, but everyone tells me I blast my music, so that gives me a bit of pause...  hmm.

Morgan,

I'm using 32wpc right now with the awesome Melody MK88 and it drives the speakers well--the Torii just sounded poor here, as did some well regarded 100wpc tube amps like the VAC PA100/100...

I'm starting to lean away from this amp...   It may be a wonderful option in the future when I don't need my speakers against the wall and can return to 100+ db efficiency stuff, but this may be a recipe for disappointment.

[roscoeiii]

Fred, Have you called Von Schweikert to get their take on this pairing? They seem to be pretty responsive.

[Gopher]

I did try and spoke with another gentleman (not Albert).  He did think it was pushing it.

That said, I've been using my Redgum RGi120ENR integrated in favor of my Melody MK88 due to the heat we had been having.  Today I decided to switch back to the Melody and I was surprised that it seemed a good bit less nimble and PRaT then I recalled.  I think the extra power (Redgum underrated but around 200 wpc) really opens these speakers up.

[roscoeiii]

Sounds like you need an ncore...

[Gopher]

the ncores may turn out to be great amps when I finally hear 'em, but I'm holding out till its clear if they're just another FOTM here.

No, I don't think halving my already low power is my answer here, but I'm not ready to leave the Melody family, so I'm looking instead to double my power with a Genesis I60 integrated.  I have a good feeling about this one.

[woofersus]

I think I agree.  The AN211 is a fantastic amp, but based on what you've described, probably less power isn't a good idea here.

The Genesis I60 is a mild adaptation of an older melody design. (the one that was also rebranded as the Onix H6550)  It's a good design - if you find a great deal on one, that's great, but the more current step-up model from the MK88 would be the Astro Black 50. (or similar previous generation model I880)  Just FYI, if you go with one of those we'd be more likely able to provide support if you ever had a problem.

[Gopher]

I think I'll keep lusting after the AN211 until I've got high efficiency (98+) speakers again.  Either way the Genesis seems an interesting/exciting choice.  I didn't know the Astro Black was technically 'above' the MK88 I have.  There was a little confusion in trying to read about the line... 

Oh well, I did indeed get a solid deal on an i60.  It would be nice to have the remote and autobias setup the newer Melody's have, but I suspect this will be excellent, not to mention get me into my recommended power range.

[woofersus]

Certainly nothing wrong with the I60.  It got great reviews when they were selling it.  You'd probably just have to go to Genesis if you need help or schematics since they're a little secretive about what they changed. (although I suspect not that much)  But, hopefully you never have any issues and it doesn't matter.  They are well built.