PMC Speakers Owners & Discussion Thread

[Nstat 0]

Hi All,

 

twenty5.26

recently listened to a pair of twenty5.26‘s and absolutely loved them so much I am going eventually to grab a pair. 

 

can anyone recommend an amplifier preferably integrated?

 

Also interested if there is a similar speaker recomendation so that I can be sure my due diligence has been thorough. 
 

Thanks

[gypr1961 140]

18 minutes ago, Nstat said:

Hi All,

 

twenty5.26

recently listened to a pair of twenty5.26‘s and absolutely loved them so much I am going eventually to grab a pair. 

 

can anyone recommend an amplifier preferably integrated?

 

Also interested if there is a similar speaker recomendation so that I can be sure my due diligence has been thorough. 
 

Thanks

I think thers another thread along these lines somerwhere.  I heard these last July with a primare  amp, cant remember the model and really enjoyed them, then heard them with some really expensive electrocompanient monoblocks and didnt enjoy them at all

[blakey72 1,491]

20 hours ago, Nstat said:

Hi All,

 

twenty5.26

recently listened to a pair of twenty5.26‘s and absolutely loved them so much I am going eventually to grab a pair. 

 

can anyone recommend an amplifier preferably integrated?

 

Also interested if there is a similar speaker recomendation so that I can be sure my due diligence has been thorough. 
 

Thanks

What kind of budget were you thinking? Second hand ok?

[Nstat 0]

Second hand is fine.

 

5-10k

[blakey72 1,491]

I would take your speakers and audition or do in home if you can. These are what I would have a listen to:

 

https://www.theaudiotailor.com.au/collections/integrated-amplifiers/products/plinius-hautonga-integrated-amplifier?variant=45079016967

 

https://www.theaudiotailor.com.au/collections/integrated-amplifiers/products/plinius-hiato-integrated-amplifier?variant=45079030791

 

https://www.theaudiotailor.com.au/collections/perreaux/products/perraux-80i-integrated-amplifier?variant=51113084295

 

Can't find in Brisbane

https://www.classaaudio.com.au/integrated-amplifier/1585-bryston-b135-integrated-amplifier.html

 

https://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/leema-tucana-ii.html

 

Not Integrated but very good I'm told:

 

https://www.theaudiotailor.com.au/collections/perreaux/products/perraux-dp32-preamplifier-dac?variant=51111299975

 

https://www.theaudiotailor.com.au/collections/perreaux/products/perraux-100p-power-amplifier?variant=51113981447

 

A few ideas for a start.

[att23 1,771]

Not familiar with what will be available in Brisbane, but I may add the ones below.  I am using Hegel with PMC and sounds great to me.  I have used Rega (lower model) with PMC and also very good.  I have not personally heard Devialet and Vitus with PMC, but many other audiophiles online use these amps too.   I would say at your budget, there is no shortage of excellent integrated amp, it is more up to yourself what 'sound' you like most out of all the choices, not to mention cables to a certain degree may also assist with fine tuning to some aspects. 

 

- Hegel 360, 390, 590

- Rega Osiris

- Devialet Expert 200

- maybe also Vitus RI-100?

[Nstat 0]

Thanks I really appreciate all of your suggestions.

[Irek 603]

On 19/03/2020 at 12:11 PM, Nstat said:

Hi All,

 

twenty5.26

recently listened to a pair of twenty5.26‘s and absolutely loved them so much I am going eventually to grab a pair. 

 

can anyone recommend an amplifier preferably integrated?

 

Also interested if there is a similar speaker recomendation so that I can be sure my due diligence has been thorough. 
 

Thanks

I heard last year PMC 25.23 with Marantz, Moon, Rega, Primare, Devialet and Mcintosh. I really liked Primare, followed by Devialet and Rega.  

PMC with Primare has extreme level of details.

Competition with speakers, hard to say, maybe Focal electra 1028. 

[ikhuong 444]

On 19/03/2020 at 12:11 PM, Nstat said:

Hi All,

 

twenty5.26

recently listened to a pair of twenty5.26‘s and absolutely loved them so much I am going eventually to grab a pair. 

 

can anyone recommend an amplifier preferably integrated?

 

Also interested if there is a similar speaker recomendation so that I can be sure my due diligence has been thorough. 
 

Thanks

Try Primare Pre/Amp combo a35.2/Pre35, I got this combo  for myself after home demo of them verus Devialet Expert Pro 140. At similar rrp prices or cheaper without DAC module, the 200wpc /8 ohms modern-design class D amplifier blew the Expert Pro 140 ~ 120wpc in term of power, dynamics and system synergy.

https://www.hifinews.com/content/primare-pre35a352-networked-prepower-amp

 

I sold my McIntosh ma252 as it is not able to handle the low of pmc25.26 with 100wpc. The Devialet handles bass weight better than McIntosh ma252 but it is not as impressed as the Primare.

 

try home demo if you can

 

 

Edited March 27, 2020 by ikhuong

[Nstat 0]

Thanks for that. I currently run 6 x 150w D class amplifiers in my Dynaudio 400XD's active speakers. I quite like the transparency but on some lower grade recordings it can quite harsh. I happy that someone has recommended D class as I believe from a logical point of view the Transition line characteristics of the PMC"s would be enhanced by a D class amp. 

 

I would be interested in other opinions regarding compatibility of D class amplification and the Transmission line amplification characteristics of PMC speakers?

 

Thanks

[blakey72 1,491]

I've found PMC speakers don't necessarily need loads of power, my first amp was an exposure 2010S2 (75w/ch) and it was good. I do however find that they REALLY LOVE as much power as they can get. My Sansui Alpha 907 takes them by the scruff and they dance.

[Whites 405]

Deleted reply...

 

 

Edited March 27, 2020 by Whites

[att23 1,771]

I came across the following news that there will be an “i” version of the twenty5 series coming out in UK. No news if they will be available down under. I thought they are going to replace the fact series first. 
 

https://www.whathifi.com/au/news/pmc-launches-improved-twenty5i-series-speaker-family

 

https://pmc-speakers.com/products/consumer/twenty5i

[maximus 367]

Yes, brand new tweeter and crossover adjustments, apparently a noticeable improvement.  Will be available in 2-3 months according to a number of retailers I've spoken to, held up due to production(COVID-19). Price hike inevitable unfortunately.

[DAMO 1147 301]

Good, Maybe i can finally get my hands on some Twenty5-26's on run out or trade in.

 

[Ericcklau 278]

Omg just join the pmc family, but new one already pending to release.

[Michael Brighton 12]

How to improve MB2se's......add some Townshend Seismic Podiums. 

 

Thought about these on and off for a while.  They do seem counterintuitive as the speaker is free to move in all directions, exactly the opposite to spikes.  But took the plunge and wow , do these work !

 

 

[maximus 367]

Ingenious Michael, especially when you consider the weight in that speaker. Notice you're driving them with a Rega Osiris, how do you find bass reproduction?

[Michael Brighton 12]

I find the Osiris handles the MB2se with no problem , even bass.   When i bought the PMCs i did wonder if the Osiris was up to it and even PMC had no experience of using them with an Osiris.

But they very kindly let me have a brand new pair on home dem.   

 

When we installed the Townshend Podiums, even my dealer remarked how well the Osiris drives them.

 

I was happy with the bass before, with having a treated room, but adding the Podiums has tightened it even more.  Seems slightly more extended , but that may be because its cleaner.  But starts and stops very cleanly , and much better impact. 

 

Very happy all round.

[AussieMick 203]

Hi All,

   I’ve recently discovered how much more my Twenty5.22’s had to give! Upgraded to a Townshend Allegri+ preamp and the frequency extension is remarkable. These speakers really do go lower than they should, and with fabulous texture. 
 

A full loom of Cardas cable (Parsec, Clear Light and Clear) has given the speakers a great deal more information to present. Better dynamics, too. 

Also added is a new resonance control system. I was all Nordost previously (Pulsar Points and Sort Kones), but had the opportunity to buy a set of Townshend Seismic Pods. They replaced titanium Sort Kones under my CD transport and absolutely smashed them. All the detail and dynamics of the Nordost, but ever so much more relaxed and natural. Better stage depth, too. I’ve added another set under my turntable as well. Very happy with the improvements. Indeed, they’re the only feet I’ve tried that improved the stick standard RP8 on its own feet. An IKEA Aptitlig bamboo butchers block sits in between. 
 

I would’ve loved to go the full Townshend, but I just don’t have the cash. Research pointed me to Isoacoustics. I bought enough Orea support discs (wow they’re cheap!) to do the rest of my electronics (again with Aptitlig bamboo) in place of the Pulsar Points. They went on eBay the very next day. Just brilliant. 
 

And finally, I treated the PMC’s to a set of Isoacoustics GAIA III feet. Again, incredibly cheap for the job they do. Isoacoustics for me does almost all of the job the Townshend products do and way cheaper. Would I still like a full suite of Townshend Seismic things? Definitely! 
 

The sound is dynamic and well free of the speakers. Colourful and wonderful at the microdynamic inflection and leading edge characters I love. 
 

So, before anyone goes thinking of replacing their PMC’s, feed them the best electronics and ancillaries you can and see how much more they’ve got to give!

 

 

[maximus 367]

@AussieMickmissed your post. Great to see all the fine tuning and valued info you've given, I'll venture down that same track once funds prevail.

 

BTW the 25.22 look fabulous in oak, my favourite colour.

[blakey72 1,491]

@AussieMick do you find the Slee amps drive the PMC's to high enough levels? Do you think dynamics (headroom) is sufficient? Nice stands too, where did you manage to pick them up?

[att23 1,771]

Is Oak finish a special order? I have never seen Aussie retailers carry this finish.
 

Usually only black or walnut. Nowadays, even amarone is less commonly available. 

[rodders3 518]

Joined the PMC club last December. Got a smashing deal from a wonderful SNAér through the classifieds.

 

At the time two sets of 25.26 showed up and I snaffled a four month old mint set for around the $6700 mark. 

 

So those thinking of taking the plunge, why not post a WTB - you never know.

[blakey72 1,491]

@rodders3Welcome to the club! Sounds like a great deal, are you enjoying them? What gear are you using to power them?

 

blakey72.

[maximus 367]

7 minutes ago, rodders3 said:

Joined the PMC club last December. Got a smashing deal from a wonderful SNAér through the classifieds.

 

At the time two sets of 25.26 showed up and I snaffled a four month old mint set for around the $6700 mark. 

 

So those thinking of taking the plunge, why not post a WTB - you never know.

Hey Rod, hope you're well mate and still enjoying the 25.26's, I'm keenly waiting on the new "i" series, got a pair of 25.23's to get me by.....on the PMC merry go round again😧😗

[rodders3 518]

@blakey72 love them. First the looks and the footprint. Great powerful sound without being over dominant in the room. Very important in the WAF. 

 

I power mine with an Elektra Reference HD with a Luxman SQ38u tube pre. I love the combo.

 

Just took a pic for another thread - you can just make out the PMC's.

 

[rodders3 518]

11 minutes ago, maximus said:

Hey Rod, hope you're well mate and still enjoying the 25.26's, I'm keenly waiting on the new "i" series, got a pair of 25.23's to get me by.....on the PMC merry go round again😧😗

@maximus - the man that led me down the PMC path!. Very well mate and as above, love them. Wife still thinks they cost $500 - doesn't everything in HIFI?

 

Be very keen to hear your thoughts on the new "i" series - you're best placed to know. Cheers.

Edited September 22, 2020 by rodders3

[blakey72 1,491]

1 minute ago, rodders3 said:

@maximus - the man that led me down the PMC path!.

Ahh maximus, should have known 😁 Well it's an expensive but rewarding path... $500, oh dear. I thought you meant one driver sweetheart 😛

[maximus 367]

Ha, Ha, "mums the word" on that one Rod,  looks as though they haven't budged an inch and yes I can vouch for the sound quality through the Luxman/Electra combo, especially that recording you got on holidays from the south East, truly sublime and holographic.

New "I" series, certainly will.

  All the best...

[maximus 367]

24 minutes ago, blakey72 said:

Ahh maximus, should have known 😁 Well it's an expensive but rewarding path... $500, oh dear. I thought you meant one driver sweetheart 😛

Somehow I don't think Rod's better half wouldh've fallen for that, how else was I supposed to sell them and btw @blakey72, I was going to initially buy a pair of TB2I's and match them up with my Densen but got a rippa deal on some twenty5 series......$$$ later🤢🤢

[rodders3 518]

Look better naked!

 

[AussieMick 203]

16 hours ago, blakey72 said:

@AussieMick do you find the Slee amps drive the PMC's to high enough levels? Do you think dynamics (headroom) is sufficient? Nice stands too, where did you manage to pick them up?

In my 6m x 5m room, the Proprius power amps easily hit "too loud" and overdrive the room. We sometimes open the studio doors onto the back yard and provide music for BBQ's, and you really can't be in the room with the system for more than a minute or two. In usual listening, sudden dynamic changes in big orchestral music are handled comfortably, too. Volume level on the Allegri+ preamp is on 11 o'clock for mid-level classical recordings, 9-10 o'clock for pop.

The stands are the PMC stands that go with them, which I bought new from a dealer. I think they were $600. They seem very good - constrained layer damping on the top and bottom pates.

Mick.

[AussieMick 203]

15 hours ago, att23 said:

Is Oak finish a special order? I have never seen Aussie retailers carry this finish.
 

Usually only black or walnut. Nowadays, even amarone is less commonly available. 

I actually bought these as ex-demo units from the UK and had them shipped with DHL. I wanted walnut, but just couldn't walk away from the terrific price. Turns out the oak finish is really lovely in the flesh. They were delivered to my front door for a tick under $4k. Retail at the time was $5,500, and $4k was the price I got selling my previous speakers. Right place, right time, I suppose. 

Cheers,

Mick.

[AussieMick 203]

2 hours ago, rodders3 said:

Look better naked!

 

I. AM. ENVIOUS.

 

Geez, I'd love a pair of 26's in the new i series. My 50th is only three years away...

[rodders3 518]

19 minutes ago, AussieMick said:

I. AM. ENVIOUS.

 

Geez, I'd love a pair of 26's in the new i series. My 50th is only three years away...

Sadly, my 50th is 5 days away - where the hell did all that time go?

[maximus 367]

@rodders3Look better naked! Definitely......if your sad when you're fifty, wait til you're 60. Happy 50th Rod.

 

 

BTW, miss that PMC midrange.....magical.

[AussieMick 203]

Update on the new gear. A month of having the Allegri+, Accession MC phonostage, the full loom of Cardas cables and the isolation gear, and the Twenty5.22’s are delivering the goods. They’ve disappeared, really, with a far bigger and detailed soundstage. Toe tapping, heart wrenching, mind expanding music making. 
 

I’m saving for a new power amp to complete the journey (50th present to myself in three years). Doing the research now, and so far have short-listed the Bryston 4B3, the ATC P2, and PS Audio BHK Stereo power amps. I asked Max Townsend what he recommends as a good complement to the Allegri+, and he said they’ve been working on a power amp that will be released early in 2021. 
 

Any other suggestions? What power amps are driving your PMC’s to greatness?

cheers

Mick

Edited October 6, 2020 by AussieMick

[blakey72 1,491]

I can't fault Plinius with mine.

 

https://www.classaaudio.com.au/power-amplifiers/1614-plinius-sb-301-power-amplifier.html

[noisuf 56]

Hi everyone! I'm so happy to say that I will soon be a proud member of this PMC clan.

 

A little bit about myself. I was 90/10 HT/music up until two months ago. For reasons I can't remember, I thought I'd chuck on a SACD on 2 channel. Might have been Thriller or something from Norah Jones. Now, I've played 2 channel before but for some reason, I was blown away when I 'heard' Norah in front of me.

 

I've always been a "connect everything with HDMI as it's the best" sort of person and multi-channel is the way to go. Let's just say that the ratio in the past couple of months has changed to 60/40 HT/music. Maybe it's Melbourne going through its craziness that opened my eyes to 2 ch.

 

My current gear was pretty modest. HT speakers designed by the other Jones, Phil Jones. But I played with some settings with some help from some SNA members. I've always been anal about measurements. Brought forward my seats, toe'd in my fronts a little, everything centimetre perfect, triangle, Dolby angles, the works. But Norah still sounded the best sitting 30 cms forward from my centre position.

 

Someone suggested I used my Yamaha bluray player's DAC and analog/RCA to the AVR. I thought, no way, I need to bring out my MONSTER RCAs (lol) from over 10 years ago? But I was blown away as I didn't realise the DAC in the Yammy bluray was better than the AVRs.

 

Then I managed to secure a Gieseler Gross which has allowed me to hear things like guitar strings that I haven't heard before. Oh, I love everything from Michael Jackson/Madonna to Norah Jones to RnB to Evanescence to Classical to contemporary pop.

 

I ripped all my 24 SACDs to DSF. I obtained my favourite songs on FLAC. I'm fully digital....all songs on NAS. Then with some snoopy help, I'm building a mini-PC to directly feed USB to the Gross DAC.

 

Coming my way is a great steal of an integrated amp, Cambridge Audio Azur 851a.....should arrive Tuesday which should blow my mind again. The Gross will go into this, my Yammy AVR V3800 will send the fronts to the 851a HT bypass.

 

As you can tell, I generally buy secondhand........budget, CFO at home leading to WAF. Down the track, will upgrade the HT system, Blakey suggested pre/power instead of AVR. Then I'd need to get 4 speakers for Atmos.......... That will be a couple years down the track I reckon. haha

 

So back to why I'm joining your club! Sorry, have waffled. I have put a deposit down for a used set of PMC Twenty 26......6 years old so not the current model. But look mint and have been looked after well. As soon as Dan's restrictions ease, I can go pick them up. I was originally looking for VAF i66, then custom made speakers, then the 20.24 and now these. Let's just say my budget had to be 2 1/2 fold. Marriage intact for now.....................

 

Ideally, I'd replace my centres with some PMC 20.c or 25.c but they're so rare. I think only a couple have sold ever on SNA, recently in August. Seems the Dynaudios are a good match so most likely will get a set of those. I'll chuck a WTB for the 20.c or 25.c as you never know I guess.

 

So a big hello, looking forward to joining this crew! Thanks for reading.

Edited October 10, 2020 by noisuf