WTB: Melody I2A3 or similar Integrated for Zu Essence

morganc · « **on:** 17 Dec 2009, 09:28 pm »

Hey Guys,
I am looking for a Melody I2A3 to pair with my Zu Essence. After asking for feedback and lots of research I have decided this would be a good pairing. Anyone got one lying around or do you have experience with something similar that you want to sell?
Thanks,
Morgan

santacore · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Dec 2009, 10:38 pm »

I have one I'd like to sell. PM sent

morganc · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Dec 2009, 01:49 am »

Hi Santacore....I did not receive a PM...but I just sent you one with my email and phone number.
Cheers,
Morgan

morganc · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Dec 2009, 06:07 pm »

Anybody Else?

doug s. · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Dec 2009, 10:50 pm »

here's an excellent option, imo:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1266420653&/Almarro-a205a-MK-II-with-extra

doug s.

morganc · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 03:43 am »

Thanks Doug. I have been reading about the Almarro's of late and they do seem like a good amp. I would consider it for sure, has anyone paired the Zu's with and Almarro?

doug s. · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 03:55 am »

Quote from: morganc on 20 Dec 2009, 03:43 am

Thanks Doug. I have been reading about the Almarro's of late and they do seem like a good amp. I would consider it for sure, has anyone paired the Zu's with and Almarro?

dunno, you might wanna query zu about it. but the essence, w/its 97db efficiency, and 12ohm rating seems a perfect match. i use an almarro w/decware modded fostex fe206e drivers in a pair of oris 150 horns (from 300hz up), and the sound is really nice...

doug s.

Pez · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 04:05 am »

Any interest in DIY?

doug s. · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 04:21 am »

diy is also a great suggestion - i have a couple other killer set amps, ~5wpc, that were diy'd by others, they are in the same league as my almarro, imo. one, actually, might suit you, as it can be wired for three inputs, and has a passive wolume pot. you can pm me, if interested, i can prowide details/pics/etc. (sorry for the plug/spam; it never occurred to me to plug it, until pez mentioned diy.

)

doug s.

doug s. · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 06:33 pm »

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 20 Dec 2009, 04:29 am

I've had Druids, which are about 4 dB more sensitive than the Essence, and while they would play with 2W they really opened up with 8-12W.

Disclaimer: I have offered the OP my Melody 2A3 for sale.

i definitely agree that, unless you are going to use subwoofers actively crossed over to your main speakers, then even efficient speakers such as the druids or essence will benefit from more than 2-5wpc...

doug s.

morganc · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 06:42 pm »

I am not too interested in DIY at this point in the game as I am a relative newbie. Does anyone have experience with the Melody H2A? Thanks for all your input.
Morgan

doug s. · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 07:06 pm »

Quote from: morganc on 20 Dec 2009, 06:42 pm

I am not too interested in DIY at this point in the game as I am a relative newbie. Does anyone have experience with the Melody H2A? Thanks for all your input.
Morgan

all you can find on the 'net is that the i2a3 is a little better than the h2a. as far as what this really means, i can't say. i suspect that both are really nice amps, my experience w/zu speakers is that you want an amp that excels in detail, as detail is not the zu's strong suit.

doug s.

morganc · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Dec 2009, 04:34 pm »

I am still looking. I should probably add that I am only interested in units that are in top physical condition. Thanks everyone for the feedback. Other ideas?

doug s. · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Dec 2009, 05:12 pm »

Quote from: morganc on 28 Dec 2009, 04:34 pm

I am still looking. I should probably add that I am only interested in units that are in top physical condition. Thanks everyone for the feedback. Other ideas?

must you have an integrated amp? would a stand-alone amp or monoblocks, w/or w/o wolume pot(s) be acceptable?

doug s.

morganc · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Dec 2009, 06:04 pm »

Yes.....I am not married to an integrated at all. I was just trying to simplify...but any good combination amp/pre-amp combos would be appreciated.

doug s. · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Dec 2009, 06:50 pm »

Quote from: morganc on 28 Dec 2009, 06:04 pm

Yes.....I am not married to an integrated at all. I was just trying to simplify...but any good combination amp/pre-amp combos would be appreciated.

i own an earlier iteration of these - excellent bang for buck, imo:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1264818671&/Audio-Mirror-45W-SET-pair-mono
i have not heard their preamp, but someone i know has, and he said it was really nice. (personally, i am partial to melos.)
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1264818672

bargain integrated - why is it still f/s?
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1266352990&/Antique-Sound-Lab-Asl-ki-22-fo

more asl:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1267115735&/Antique-Sound-Lab-kmp60fox-6c3
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1265921874&/Antique-Sound-Lab-KMP60-Foxdt-

doug s.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Dec 2009, 12:39 am »

I have also owned the Audio Mirror amps (I have owned every tube amp ever made, twice). They are very good for the money - you generally need to spend much more money than that for a 45W SET - but they are not the last word in bass response, certainly.

With Druids you might not even notice that.

doug s. · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Dec 2009, 02:20 am »

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 29 Dec 2009, 12:39 am

I have also owned the Audio Mirror amps (I have owned every tube amp ever made, twice). They are very good for the money - you generally need to spend much more money than that for a 45W SET - but they are not the last word in bass response, certainly.

With Druids you might not even notice that.

that might be true. mine have never seen anything south of ~80hz. another reason i love to use active x-over and outboard s/s amps for subwoofers.

doug s.

morganc · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Dec 2009, 03:04 am »

Any thoughts on this amp?
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampstube&1267223886&1&1&1&
It is local and therefore I am strongly considering.

doug s. · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 Dec 2009, 03:31 am »

Quote from: morganc on 30 Dec 2009, 03:04 am

Any thoughts on this amp?
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampstube&1267223886&1&1&1&
It is local and therefore I am strongly considering.

haha! i saw that ad and i thought of you. i have never heard the joule gear, but it has excellent reputation. if i had the budget for those, and could check 'em out locally, i'd be all over them for an audition, if i were in the market. (but, then again, i am cheap, and i'd likely wait for a used audio-mirror or asl iteration.) i think the 6c33c tube is quite nice, in case you didn't notice.

maybe you can haul your speakers over, or the seller will let you audition the amps at your home.

do a websearch on joule stargate amp and you will come up w/lotsa comments, both pro and user.

one caveat about the 6c33c tubes, tho - they run really hot, and those amps will draw a lot of power (ea ~300w?) even at idle... you may not wanna use them in the summer.

best of luck,

doug s.