Amplification for YG Acoustics Carmel 2

[Bob82]

Hi all,

Wondering what sort of amplification YG Carmel 2 speakers works well with? Really like the qualities but are reflective of upstream gear and shows poor recordings threadbare.

I heard them with Mark Levinson 585 integrated at the dealers’. I would still like to still utilise my VAC Signature line-stage but will consider integrated amps.

I have a few solid state options in mind to replace the Bryston 4B3:

1) Boulder 1160/1161
2) Nagra Classic amp / integrated
3) Soulution 330 integrated




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[Mike]

Luxman M900u would be terrific I bet.

 

[BlueFox]

Good question, but I hope any decent amp is the answer. Those are the first YG speakers that interest me.

 

[Bob82]

Good question, but I hope any decent amp is the answer. Those are the first YG speakers that interest me.

They are very detailed sounding speakers with a big soundstage.



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[Jack]

Based on JA's review. which was the only one of any substance, I would be looking at something like the Octave V-110SE for an integrated or a similar powered tube amp if you want to keep the VAC preamp.

 

[Bob82]

Amp options for YG Carmels? Here's some to think about.

1. A good friend of mine has them paired with a Vitus integrated amplifier, the SIA-025. Its a great combo.
2. You may want to message 4Music, a member on this site. He has his YG's paired with Nagra Classic Pre & Nagra Classic Amp.
3. As you are using a VAC pre have you considered a VAC power amp?
4. Looking at integrated? In addition to Vitus, I'd also consider the Dan Dagostino Momentum integrated.

Hi,

I am looking at the VAC power amp for this setup just haven’t seen many tube power amps feeding these pair. The VAC 200IQ in stereo puts out 100w/8ohms.

Nagra, Vitus and Dagostino are great suggestions.




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[Paul]

One of my friend really loves his Manley mono’s with his YG.

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[Bob82]

Based on JA's review. which was the only one of any substance, I would be looking at something like the Octave V-110SE for an integrated or a similar powered tube amp if you want to keep the VAC preamp.

Jack,

That is the quandary I am in- Love the VAC and like to keep it as like the tube pre/SS setup. The great bit about the VAC is the low recommended impedance of 300ohms that will make it easier on choosing a solid state amp but getting the correct synergy going.

The Carmels seems to come to life at mid to higher volumes being relatively sensitivity speakers. I am not suggesting that they don’t do lower volume too well but these need plenty of current, again I could be wrong.



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[Jack]

If you are sure you are going with the Carmel then I would bring them in and break them in with the combo you have in place then after you have enough hours on them evaluate which direction you need to go. An alternative to going tube amp or SS amp might be a hybrid like the Aesthetix Atlas or the BHK 250. If you decide you want to go integrated then you have the Aesthetix Mimas. I found it odd that JA had to bring out the Primaluna integrated to get them balanced but he did try multiple combo's before resorting to that.

 

[kimurastanley]

Jack,

That is the quandary I am in- Love the VAC and like to keep it as like the tube pre/SS setup. The great bit about the VAC is the low recommended impedance of 300ohms that will make it easier on choosing a solid state amp but getting the correct synergy going.

The Carmels seems to come to life at mid to higher volumes being relatively sensitivity speakers. I am not suggesting that they don’t do lower volume too well but these need plenty of current, again I could be wrong.



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I agree that Carmel 2 needs to be played at higher volume to shine. I am pairing with Diablo 300 now.

My Carmel2 still under 100 hours. There is significant improvement compared to what I heard when it was delivered 3 weeks ago. Would report back after 300-400 hours.

Having said that, I like what I heard when it paired with Vitus RI-101 with lumin as source in show room.

One of my friend recommended pairing with nagra.


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[kimurastanley]

Another thread on Carmel 2

YG Acoustics Carmel 2
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...oshark.org/showthread.php?t=6723&share_type=t

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[bart]

Fantastic speakers!
But they need plenty of juice.
I heard them with MBL electronics, and that was a great combination.

 

[Alpinist]

YG Acoustics is one of my favorite brands of speakers and I’ve listened to them a lot. I would second Luxman, Nagra and Audionet.

Ken

 

[mdp632]

Hi all,

Wondering what sort of amplification YG Carmel 2 speakers works well with? Really like the qualities but are reflective of upstream gear and shows poor recordings threadbare.

I heard them with Mark Levinson 585 integrated at the dealers’. I would still like to still utilise my VAC Signature line-stage but will consider integrated amps.

I have a few solid state options in mind to replace the Bryston 4B3:

1) Boulder 1160/1161
2) Nagra Classic amp / integrated
3) Soulution 330 integrated




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Carmel 2 owner here. YG speakers aren’t voiced so, as you stated they a microscope into your upstream gear.

This can have its pros and cons. But, the pros far outweigh the cons. When you change out amps or front end gear you can hear it for Better or worse.

I don’t have any experience with tube gear w/ YG as I’m my preference is towards solid state. Here are some of the brands with notes beside them that I’ve personally heard with Carmel 2.

Pass Labs - Used to own an INT-60 connected to Carmel 2s; Amazing amp but, the speakers didn’t really come alive. A warm but pleasing sound ; I would imagine the larger Pass Class A monoblocks would be special here.

Audionet ( Heard at dealers and shows) - This combo is popular in the US because one of the largest YG dealers is also the US Distributor of Audionet electronics.

Very clean, fast, precise , neutral


Spectral - Similar to Audionet but, taken to the next level in terms of resolution ; low distortion and speed. Synergy with MIT Cables is special.

Many consider Audionet and Spectral dry and analytical but, not me. One man’s warmth is another man’s distortion.

My personal subjective ranking with YG - Spectral, Audionet, Pass Labs

Also used AQ cables (Full Loom ) with Pass and then switched to MIT and even used with Pass with MIT cables prior to Spectral.

Other discussions here have praised MIT and Magico pairing but, MIT works great with YG too.

Good Luck.

 

[Bob82]

Carmel 2 owner here. YG speakers aren’t voiced so, as you stated they a microscope into your upstream gear.

This can have its pros and cons. But, the pros far outweigh the cons. When you change out amps or front end gear you can hear it for Better or worse.

I don’t have any experience with tube gear w/ YG as I’m my preference is towards solid state. Here are some of the brands with notes beside them that I’ve personally heard with Carmel 2.

Pass Labs - Used to own an INT-60 connected to Carmel 2s; Amazing amp but, the speakers didn’t really come alive. A warm but pleasing sound ; I would imagine the larger Pass Class A monoblocks would be special here.

Audionet ( Heard at dealers and shows) - This combo is popular in the US because one of the largest YG dealers is also the US Distributor of Audionet electronics.

Very clean, fast, precise , neutral


Spectral - Similar to Audionet but, taken to the next level in terms of resolution ; low distortion and speed. Synergy with MIT Cables is special.

Many consider Audionet and Spectral dry and analytical but, not me. One man’s warmth is another man’s distortion.

My personal subjective ranking with YG - Spectral, Audionet, Pass Labs

Also used AQ cables (Full Loom ) with Pass and then switched to MIT and even used with Pass with MIT cables prior to Spectral.

Other discussions here have praised MIT and Magico pairing but, MIT works great with YG too.

Good Luck.

The Audionets are razor fast sounding amps that very suited for the equally quick Carmel.

Which Spectral models are they by the way?


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[mdp632]

The Audionets are razor fast sounding amps that very suited for the equally quick Carmel.

Which Spectral models are they by the way?


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I've heard Carmel 2with Spectral DMA-260S2 Stereo amp and the respective DMC-30SV Pre amp; Full loom of MIT cables.

I've heard the Audionet AMP1V2 Stereo amp ; and their PRE G3 (entry level pre amp) ; Full loom of Kubala Sosna Emotion! cables.

If you are looking for just a stereo amp or integrated I'd consider the Audionet AMP1V2 Stereo amp or the WATT Integrated amp.

 

[Mike]

EXCEPT for the excellent HUMBOLDT amp, I would not be pairing the older/other Audionets with YG. I’ve heard this pairing many times. Dry and sterile meets neutral is not ideal IMO. The humboldt is a great departure from the old Audionet sound and paired really well with YG. I would look for amps cut from the same cloth:

* Constellation
* Gryphon Class A
* Luxman
* D’Agostino S250
* Pass
....etc.

A big ARC/VAC amp could work nicely as well.

Mike

 

[Mordante]

EXCEPT for the excellent HUMBOLDT amp, I would not be pairing the older/other Audionets with YG. I’ve heard this pairing many times. Dry and sterile meets neutral is not ideal IMO. The humboldt is a great departure from the old Audionet sound and paired really well with YG. I would look for amps cut from the same cloth:

* Constellation
* Gryphon Class A
* Luxman
* D’Agostino S250
* Pass
....etc.

A big ARC/VAC amp could work nicely as well.

Mike

I tend to agree with Mike.

But my personal recommendation would be EMM labs. My dealer has a pair of YG Carmel with EMM labs mono block amps and full EMM labs source. It sounded great. IMHO better then the Raidho 4.1 speakers with Aavik amps.

 

[Bob82]

EXCEPT for the excellent HUMBOLDT amp, I would not be pairing the older/other Audionets with YG. I’ve heard this pairing many times. Dry and sterile meets neutral is not ideal IMO. The humboldt is a great departure from the old Audionet sound and paired really well with YG. I would look for amps cut from the same cloth:

* Constellation
* Gryphon Class A
* Luxman
* D’Agostino S250
* Pass
....etc.

A big ARC/VAC amp could work nicely as well.

Mike

Mike

Would you categorise Soulution 330 in the same group?


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[Mike]

Mike

Would you categorise Soulution 330 in the same group?


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If it sounds like other Soulution, it will be ever so slightly dry, but with some tiny bit of sweetness on top. Wouldn’t actually be a bad combination. Not my favorite, but not bad. I do like Soulution sound. My pick would be Luxman M900u stereo or monos or Constellation.


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