Amp pairing with Wharfedale Jade 3s

[kiwione]

Hi,

(reposting as after few edits my post vanished).

I am using Wharfedale Jade 3s with Quad Vena II today and super happy with the sound. But the amp has a fault and will need servicing.

In the mean time I was also in the market for a successor, hoping to get even better sound with a bit more expensive amp.

And I hated them all.

NAD C700, too thin, no bass. Returned. Then I convinced myself I like AB better.
Marantz 6007, decent, kept as backup but less kick and energy than from the Quads.
Marantz Stereo 70s. Zero bass. Sold.
Rotel S14 - too bright. Maybe a faulty buzzy torodial spoiled the impression? Returned.
Now I have Quad 3 on order (hope for IAG synergies and all) , but generally trying to understand why do the speakers sound much worse(to me) with better spec / more expensive amps (I admit I didn't venture into 1500+ territory).

Is it the low sensitivity? 83.5 db? But how does Vena II drive them so well? Some IAG secret handshake?

Wharfedale Jade 3 loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com

Sidebar 3: Measurements I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Wharfedale Jade 3's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 for the nearfield response of its woofer. My estimate of the Jade 3's voltage sensitivity was...

www.stereophile.com

 

[TurtlePaul]

Have you ever tried blind testing amps? Not all amps sound the same, but nearly all well designed amps do.

Either that particular amp has high output impedance, it doesn't measure flat, or it is all in your head.

 

[kiwione]

Not blind test but going back to back and hearing differences (usually as lack of bass vs. Quad). I do have Hyperacusis as medical condition so maybe I am just all messed up. But everywhere I read what you say as well. Most decent ones should sound very similar.

 

[TurtlePaul]

Not blind test but going back to back and hearing differences (usually as lack of bass vs. Quad). I do have Hyperacusis as medical condition so maybe I am just all messed up. But everywhere I read what you say as well. Most decent ones should sound very similar.

Do you volume match the amps? Lower volumes almost always sound worse. You can volume match with your phone nowadays.

 

[kiwione]

I'll try it when Quad 3 arrives. Thanks.

But I am also reading bunch of IAG "synergies" . Like Mission+Audiolab, Quad+Wharfedale etc. Is there an actual thing or? Or is it just in our heads?

 

[Selkirks]

I am also reading bunch of IAG "synergies" . Like Mission+Audiolab, Quad+Wharfedale etc. Is there an actual thing or?

An actual thing to help sell audio products. The concept of "synergy" in this case is a an pitch to customers when you carry brands from the same distributor or parent company as the speakers. Matching components is more about the technical aspects and less about the brand names associated with one manufacturer.

IAG (International Audio Group) is a premier manufacturer of audio equipment for both domestic and professional use.

 

[kemmler3D]

Is there an actual thing or? Or is it just in our heads?

It's in the heads of people who have a vested interest in selling either expensive amplifiers or ads for expensive amplifiers.

These days you can get a lot of clean watts for your money. Spending more than $1-3/watt is not really necessary.

 

[kiwione]

I am just baffled how 4-5 amps sound so different to Quad Vena II (and usually along the bass extensions). Maybe I just need the accept my hyperacusis is playing tricks on me.

 

[kemmler3D]

I am just baffled how 4-5 amps sound so different to Quad Vena II (and usually along the bass extensions).

Well, it's possible the amps were clipping, but more likely is that the levels were a dB or two different, which via the loudness effect creates the perception of more or less bass / treble.

 

[Svend P]

All amplifiers sound the same when not driven into distortion. You need to do level matched blind testing and you would find that those differences would disappear. It sounds like you are in serious need of some eq, so any amplifier with Dirac or similar and a measuring microphone would help you greatly.

'All amplifiers do not sound the same'

Jun 7, 2025

Who even came up with this bullshit?? And why was there no backtalk?? Why was this allowed to stand???
Objective?? Objective would be "all amplifiers which reach sufficient thresholds in key parameters will sound the same."
Done.

This stupid Dunning-Kruger inaccurate pseudo objectivist bullshit has cost me a TON over the years. I kept changing speakers and treat my room and never be happy. Turn out I should have taken a good chunk of change and get a good studio amp first.

There is nothing more to say.
I am only angry because it cost me so many years of my life. Those are limited. I...

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