Copland dac 215 power amp suggestion.

[Nesilop]

Hi, I could use some help.
I have always had a setup of TT-vpi traveler/riaa-graham slee reflex m/ receiver- Marantz 2230.
A while back I bought a Copland dac 215 for headphone use but have since then started using it as a pre amplifier for the 2230.
Im intrested in replacing the 2230 for a power amp and im hoping someone Can give me advise on What to pair my copland with.

 

[lovinthehd]

By "pairing" (really hate that word in audio, its pretentious use in audio is even worse than its origins with wine....rant over) assume you mean the output voltage of the dac vs input sensitivity of the amp and type of connectors. Then you'd also need to match the amp to work properly with the speakers' requirements, not just the dac. What are the relevant specs?

Curious, you actually bypassed the 2230's pre-amp section and just used it as a power amp?

 

[Nesilop]

I have it conected from amp out on my copland into amp in on the 2230.
The reason beeing that the 2230 pops and make alot of sparkly noice even after I had it restored.
Having it conected this way makes all of those problem go away, Sadly some of the 2230’s lushness also seems toned down.

Im not to sure What relative specs makes the most importance, but here’s What I have.

Copland-analog out/amp out-
Frequency response: 20Hz~20 kHz (+/-0.2dB)

2230- Frequency response: 15Hz to 50kHz
Power output: 30 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Input sensitivity: 1.8mV (MM), 180mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 83dB (line)
Channel separation: 35dB (line)
Speaker load impedance: 4Ω to 16Ω

Svs ultra bookshelf-
Frequency Response 45 - 32000 Hz
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm
Recommended Amplifier Power 20 watt
Sensitivity 87 db
Crossover Frequency 2000Hz

TT is vpi traveler with ortofon 2m black.

Im looking to upgrade and tweak my set up abit to often, I like how things sound just fine... but there Can always be abit more soundstage, alittle more separation between the instruments, more imaging... etc.
If I Can sidestep my original question abit and ask if any of the components in my setup is a week/misplaced link in the chain it would be intresting to know.

Thank you.

 

[lovinthehd]

The soundstage has to do with the way the recording was produced, as well as your speakers and how they're positioned and the effects of your room (and your listening position too). The electronics are a means of processing more than anything else. I had a 2270 back in the 70s thru early 80s. It had its issues but a nice enough unit overall, altho I prefer my gear after that (separates then modern avrs). Sounds like the restoration wasn't very good, maybe not as thorough a cleaning of controls as needed from the description but hard to know. That's a potential problem with using something that old, though.

The specs I wanted to know were the output voltage of the dac unit and the input sensitivity of the amp. The frequency response info isn't helpful (and I'd hope it would all be capable from at least 20hz to 20 khz). Look up the output voltage of your dac. The 2230's input sensitivity MM refers to a moving magnet type cartridge like you have in your tt for use with the phono input on the receiver. Not sure if your line input of 180mV refers to just the other line inputs (other than phono) on your 2230, not sure if that would apply as well to the main in for use as a power amp, tho. If the main in is also 180mV most likely it is just fine for the dac you're using (or just about any other), tho.

There are several different ways you could go for a new amp (receiver, integrated amp, power amp). Somewhat depends on what your sources are that you listen to other than your tt, or want to be able to use in the future, as well as your budget. Is the tt your only source of music? You have a separate phono stage it seems, be curious to know the specs on that but since you have one probably any pre-amp section (of a receiver or integrated amp) would work for you since you have a separate phono stage (and don't require it built into the unit).

Your current speakers are of middling sensitivity (87dB) but fairly easily driven as they're 8 ohm nominal IIRC. I'd still want more than a 30wpc amp for them myself, but at low to moderate listening levels, depending how far you sit from the speakers (which is?) could be fine.

 

[Joe B]

......
Im looking to upgrade and tweak my set up abit to often, I like how things sound just fine... but there Can always be abit more soundstage, alittle more separation between the instruments, more imaging... etc.
If I Can sidestep my original question abit and ask if any of the components in my setup is a week/misplaced link in the chain it would be intresting to know.

Thank you.

Your source components are of excellent quality (the DAC/headphone amp, turntable, cartridge, phono pre amp). If I were you, I would be looking to acquire a new power amp, as you first stated, as well as upgrading your speakers. And, if you were to go this route, you'd certainly want to settle on the speakers before choosing an amp to drive them.
Just curious......what headphones do you listen with?

 

[Nesilop]

Im having a hard time finding out the output power on the dac from the manual aswell from Google , i did find -Output: max. 8.5 V rms- listed in a review if thats helpful?

The headphones I use are Sennheiser HD 800s, Grado 325 and .
The copland is a great headphone amp and an ok preamp , so maybe I’ll just use it for What it does best and look for a better modern pre amp and power amp to add to my setup insted.

 

[lovinthehd]

If it has max output of 8.5V then it's not likely to have any problem driving just about any power amp. Many only require 1-2V for full output.