The Two Channel Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by purr1n, Nov 10, 2016.

  1. GoodSchiit

    GoodSchiit Acquaintance

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    Thanks for your post. A new DAC is on the list but probably a bit further down the road.

    Having a two channel system complete with Headphone balanced out is where I wanted the system to end up. I may just keep the MBP and Jotunheim set up for headphones and have a separate two channel system.
     
  2. Maximillion

    Maximillion Acquaintance

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    Hi, I am seeking some advice on a new amp - can be either pre/power or integrated.
    I currently have a Rega Elicit-R and whilst I generally like it, I find the bass a little thin. Don't get me wrong, i don't want booming distorted bass, I'd rather deep and tight sound in the lows (not sure if that makes sense, but best I can explain it).

    I'm also keen to achieve a wide and deep soundstage - one of the other elements where the Rega falls a bit short is that the sound seems tied to the speakers. My room dictates that the speakers can only be 6ft apart (so maybe a wide soundstage is not something that I will be able to achieve?). My wife and I make somewhat of an event out of listening to music together and both love live music, so the soundstage is definitely something I am looking to improve if I can.

    Firstly my room - 6m by 4m - so not big... doesn't have to be huge power. I am not sure if more power is a good idea or not regardless of room size.

    I will be feeding the amp set up with a Roon > Metrum Ambre > Gungnir MB chain and the amp(s) will be driving Kef R700's (based on HifFi News specs - not Kef's - these speakers have a sensitvity of 88.1dB @1m 1watt, they are 8Ohm speakers but as far as I understand it can range from 3.1 Ohms to 15.9 Ohms. They can handle 200Watts. Frequency response goes down to 42Hz).
    A Rega Apollo CD player is also in the chain -keeping this as I absolutely love it.

    Budget is c£5000 and I am expecting to have to buy second hand. ( I could go a little higher, but am keeping some money back for a headamp for the times I am listening alone or late at night).

    What have a I looked at :

    Linn (LK100 or LK85/140) - based on some earlier advice on this forum from @purr1n - I can pick these up second hand quite cheaply. Might be an option, though I intend this next amp(s) to be a keeper for many years. I have a single shot to spend the kind of budget I mentioned above. It's way above what I would ordinarily be able to afford, but an injection of cash (won't go into the boring details) and permission ( yippee! ) means I can actually make a decent step up for the first time ever.

    McIntosh - I have actually heard an MA5300 and I really liked it, though didn't hear it in my set up.. above budget new and not many around second hand in the UK (230v). I have seen a used MA8000 for £5,500 and also an Ma6500 for less than £3k (although I think the Ma6500 lacks balanced input - not a deal breaker though... https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...nd-better-discussion-for-noobs-and-boobs.733/ ).
    Also seen a couple of used MA7900's near the £5k budget. There's info here and there on this forum about McIntosh, though a steer on whether they really are worth the cash would be great. I have found a dealer not far away in Birmingham so will be listening soon. McIntosh's absolutely nail the look of an amp for my taste, so it's very tempting to take the plunge based on the that and one audition I had (but I AM just about able to keep function over form in the decision!).

    Luxman - I've not had the chance to hear them, but read great reviews. A 505uII (new) and a 507uII (used) are within budget, though the latter is difficult to come by. The 509x looks to be out of budget at £9k new and no used ones to be found anywhere.

    Accuphase - Again, not heard, but read great things and damn, they look good too... Not many dealers here in the UK.. even online. It's going to be difficult to get a listen.

    Schiit - Freya/Saga plus Vidar. Cheapest option. Some good reviews on this site. Stock in the UK seems thin. Honestly the only reason I don't have a Freya and Vidar now is because there was no stock...probably a good thing as it led me to looking into a few options. Good news is the European Dealer is close to my house.

    I am not wedded to any of the above. Just my initial investigations at the budget level I have. I am not even wedded to replacing the amp if other things like room accoustic treatment or room correction is a better route (although room accoustic treatment might land me in the sin bin at home!). My only real goal is how it sounds.

    I hope this post was not too long and gives some detail to help with any advice anyone would be kind enough to offer - even if that advice just constitutes options to stay away from - i.e. the overpriced rubbish.
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2018
  3. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    @Maximillion
    Shoot for amps at half your budget so you can double up and bi-amp. Heck, for the price you can go Vidar quad-monoblocks :punk:
     
  4. Maximillion

    Maximillion Acquaintance

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    Four Vidars! I suspect they'd heat my entire house, if my house was still standing after turning the volume past 9 o'colock.
    :(
     
  5. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Nah, the more you turn them up the less energy wasted as heat! (actually I don't think the Vidars work that way...)
     
  6. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    @Maximillion Honestly, check out the latest flagship stuff from Yamaha. Much cheaper than Luxman or Accuphase.

    Have to admit I'm a bit ga-ga over the retro needles.
     
  7. Maximillion

    Maximillion Acquaintance

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    Great timing - I was just checking out the A-S3000.
    Looks pretty good for £4k new. Will have to get an audition.
    I do like the pointless needles too :)

    Looks great, I have to say... but it has to sound good. What Hifi gave it a bit of a panning, but they usually give 5 stars to whoever they are closest to (imho), not the best equipment.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2018
  8. Sunflower_sutra

    Sunflower_sutra Acquaintance

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    How about a used krell? Or Mitchell Alecto mono amps which can be upgraded for more watts.

    I personally would aim for an amp around 200w ideally more powerful and stable in lower ohms.

    That rules out the luxman, accuphase and Yamaha.

    I own the Yamaha as 3000 great amp but realized I need more watts for headroom so going to get more sensetive speakers
     
  9. Maximillion

    Maximillion Acquaintance

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    That's interesting - I was told here that 88-89dB sensitivity would be considered medium, not high... so sound like you are saying the Yamaha needs higher sensitivity than the Kef 700's...What are the speakers you are currently driving with it?
     
  10. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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  11. Sunflower_sutra

    Sunflower_sutra Acquaintance

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    I run the amp with Spendor A3 and Sa1 86db thinking of getting some 90db speakers. Generally think more headroom the better. Don't get me wrong it's a great amp, phono is great and headphone but wish I went a bit bigger so got more speaker choice for the future
     
  12. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Across the pond, I would be looking for an ATC SIA-2 150 if you’re looking for an integrated. Been on my wish list for a while. Only downside, no balanced inputs.

    Other options are the ATC P1 or P2 power amps, plus a preamp.
     
  13. Maximillion

    Maximillion Acquaintance

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    Last edited: Dec 28, 2018
  14. Maximillion

    Maximillion Acquaintance

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    @rlow thanks. I have added an ATC P2 and ATC CDA2 as a combo to the research list (comes in over budget at £6300, but can look out for deals). If not, the P2 and CA2 comes in at £5150 new. Thanks for the info - never heard of them before but they get rave reviews.
     
  15. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    No problem. I know they don’t have any fun Vu-meters, but they have it where it counts.

    I also owned a Belles 150a Reference v2 power amp for a while recently which I compared to Vidar over in the power amps thread: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...power-amp-adventures.3789/page-21#post-220112

    I liked that amp and it has a very large soundstage and powerful low end. I suspect the other Power Modules (aka Belles) gear would sound similar. Not sure how accessible they would be where you’re from however.

    And I know that @purr1n really loves his Hegel H2 which I think he said has a massive soundstage and tons of grunt as well:
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/hegel-h2-power-amp-mini-review.3791/

    Hegel H20 would likely be similar if not improved.
     
  16. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    They might, but don't buy them for that. Buy them because they sounds awesome ;)
     
  17. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    @Maximillion
    I don't know too many Euro brands, but take a look at the SPL S800 Performer amp. The brand is generally well regarded.
    I'd also take a peak at the pro audio offerings. There's quite a lot of interesting stuff in the Euro market for that. Most have fans, but they can run surprisingly quiet unless you're cranking it (Powersoft is the first that comes to mind, and they have several 4-channel models).
     
  18. Maximillion

    Maximillion Acquaintance

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    Thank you to the people who have responded and helped. Really appreciate it.
    Given the input and also the follow up research I did into the night and this morning, the picture has changed quite considerably.

    Luxman, Accuphase and Yamaha are out of the picture - not enough power.
    McIntosh out of the picture - not enough power at the price point I can afford. I really like the looks of the McIntosh gear, but maybe it's a bit too bling for a living room. Maybe more for a dedicated listening room and as mentioned, you need to go higher up the range to get enough power for headroom.

    I am now focusing on:
    ATC - CA2/P2
    Hegel - P20/H20 or H360
    Schiit - Freya and Vidar's

    I am going to try and get a listen of all 3.
     
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2018
  19. Sunflower_sutra

    Sunflower_sutra Acquaintance

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    Just to throw a curve ball but there's also class d amplification, manly ncore amps.

    Offer decent high watts, good standby, energy efficient and don't require warm up time to sound their best plus are compact.
     
  20. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    @Maximillion make sure you can audition the amp in your setup, before you commit to buy. The issues you’re trying to doctor with an amp swap are more likely to be speaker and/or room borne.
     

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