Help Choosing an amplifier

[gimpinchair]

I'm going to be purchasing from ascend acoustics the CBM-170SE bookshelves. These will be going in my bedroom on my desk. I could use some assistance in acquiring an amplifier. Currently I'm looking at a used musical fidelity M1PWR. Actually, the person who has this amplifier has two of them and has been running them in monoblock mode. These would fit on top of my desk, I'm not sure if I need both. Or perhaps there is another amplifier out there better paired with the speakers. If I do choose the musical fidelity's do I need both? Or would just one running in stereo mode putting out 65 wpc @ 8 ohms be sufficient? Please keep in mind that I would like to be around around the $700 price point.

Thanks

Gimpinchair

 

[Seth=L]

I would not recommend spending $700 on a used amplifier for a pair of $300 speakers. Usually I would suggest a budget breakdown of 60-70% to the speakers and 30-40% toward everything else.

I don't think you'll find many fans of Musical Fidelity here either if I'm honest. They tend to over-hype their products (by they I mean reviewers and golden ears). I believe there are better desktop options with more sophisticated options and prices.

NAD, Denon, TEAC, Yamaha, and Marantz come directly to mind. With the money saved you could invest in a quality compact subwoofer like the SVS SB1200.

 

[gimpinchair]

I would not recommend spending $700 on a used amplifier for a pair of $300 speakers. Usually I would suggest a budget breakdown of 60-70% to the speakers and 30-40% toward everything else.

I don't think you'll find many fans of Musical Fidelity here either if I'm honest. They tend to over-hype their products (by they I mean reviewers and golden ears). I believe there are better desktop options with more sophisticated options and prices.

NAD, Denon, TEAC, Yamaha, and Marantz come directly to mind. With the money saved you could invest in a quality compact subwoofer like the SVS SB1200.

Ok. I've looked at those manufacturer's you mentioned. Except for the Teach the others are just too wide for my 48" desk. I probably should have mentioned that I'm using my Schiit Lyr headphone amp as the preamp. So maybe I'll take another look at Teac. However, if memory serves me correctly the Teacs' that I looked at all had built in DACs; which I don't need as that roll is currently filled by another Schiit product. Is there a specific Teac should look at?

 

[Seth=L]

Ok. I've looked at those manufacturer's you mentioned. Except for the Teach the others are just too wide for my 48" desk. I probably should have mentioned that I'm using my Schiit Lyr headphone amp as the preamp. So maybe I'll take another look at Teac. However, if memory serves me correctly the Teacs' that I looked at all had built in DACs; which I don't need as that roll is currently filled by another Schiit product. Is there a specific Teac should look at?

With the NAD 3020 the footprint doesn't get much smaller than that.

What width do you require?

 

[gimpinchair]

Oh yes, I forgot about that one. I looked at that one and the 7050, but they both have DACs built-in. So it felt like I would spending money on parts I would not use. As to your questions about space, I have about 15" x 20". (WxD)

 

[Seth=L]

Oh yes, I forgot about that one. I looked at that one and the 7050, but they both have DACs built-in. So it felt like I would spending money on parts I would not use. As to your questions about space, I have about 15" x 20". (WxD)

Both of these products come to mind.

http://www.teac.com/product/ax-501/ (analog only). It's rated output of 65 watts per channel would be far more than enough for those speakers in a nearfield setup. It's too expensive for what it is though, much like the Musical Fidelity.

http://www.teac.com/product/ai-501da/ (digital). Similar overall design as the one above but with DACs and less power. Sounds like you have the digital front end covered though. On the plus side it can be found for about $400 new.

I don't subscribe to the philosophy that less is more. Just because the NAD or AI-501DA have more features that you won't use and they cost less money does not inherently make them inferior products. Economies of scale dictate that items of good quality and higher demand that sell more units can be sold for less money compared to a comparable performing product that has less demand because it lacks features that most people will likely want in said product.

If you prefer exclusivity then perhaps you should look for a product like the Musical Fidelity, I just don't see that as an economical decision when something of comparable performance can be obtained for less.

 

[gimpinchair]

I don't want you to think that I'm zeroed in on Musical Fidelity. It was offered at what to I thought was a devent price ($379), but when you say more could be had for less I'll take that over my very limited experience every day. Maybe a bigger desk is in order.

 

[PENG]

I don't want you to think that I'm zeroed in on Musical Fidelity. It was offered at what to I thought was a devent price ($379), but when you say more could be had for less I'll take that over my very limited experience every day. Maybe a bigger desk is in order.

I was going to suggest Denon as well but their lower price ones all come with DAC and their analog integrated amps are very expensive. Marantz has the PM5005 that is an integrated but is too wide for you. D&M don't make power amps any more.

Parasound has some class D power amplifier that are small enough for you. They have nice specs on paper, look interesting enough that I want to try one out myself but I have too many amps already.

 

[gimpinchair]

I was going to suggest Denon as well but their lower price ones all come with DAC and their analog integrated amps are very expensive. Marantz has the PM5005 that is an integrated but is too wide for you. D&M don't make power amps any more.

Parasound has some class D power amplifier that are small enough for you. They have nice specs on paper, look interesting enough that I want to try one out myself but I have too many amps already.

I think that you might be on to something with Parasound. I just took a look at there website and the Zonemaster 250 looks to be a good fit. It's 8.5"x10"x2" (wxdxh). Although the MSRP looks to be $475; I think I might be able to swing the extra $75 above my original intentions.

I am a little confused about the "bridge mode" and how it handles sub-woofers. Could you help clear that up for me?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/mini-x-100
would be more than enough power for your application

 

[KenM10759]

Given your requirements now you should take a second look at that NAD 3020. While it has a little more capability than you currently need, the fact that it can take both digital and analog signals affords you flexibility should you add a purely digital source in the future. That unit appears to have the lowest distortion levels of any posted, and it's at your budget level.

http://www.spearitsound.com/Integrated_Amplifiers-NAD_D3020_Hybrid_Digital_Amplifier.html

Oh yeah, and it has a phono output on the front unless you absolutely feel a need to add more electronics into the sound path with your phono amp.

 

[macddmac]

Given your requirements now you should take a second look at that NAD 3020. While it has a little more capability than you currently need, the fact that it can take both digital and analog signals affords you flexibility should you add a purely digital source in the future. That unit appears to have the lowest distortion levels of any posted, and it's at your budget level.

http://www.spearitsound.com/Integrated_Amplifiers-NAD_D3020_Hybrid_Digital_Amplifier.html

Oh yeah, and it has a phono output on the front unless you absolutely feel a need to add more electronics into the sound path with your phono amp.

Great little amp- I've had one running my 4ohm dynaudios for over a year now. Get one of these and you can sell that other schiit

 

[PENG]

I think that you might be on to something with Parasound. I just took a look at there website and the Zonemaster 250 looks to be a good fit. It's 8.5"x10"x2" (wxdxh). Although the MSRP looks to be $475; I think I might be able to swing the extra $75 above my original intentions.

I am a little confused about the "bridge mode" and how it handles sub-woofers. Could you help clear that up for me?

Bridge mode in stereo amps put the L and R channels in series some the output voltage will double. That typically means if the amp is 4 ohm capable, it will become 8 ohm capable in order to not exceed the current limit (capability) of the amp.

The Z250' subout's is for use with a powered subwoofer. I think there is a typo in their manual (page 9) where it said it could be used for an in-wall passive subwoofer. For passive subwoofers, you have to use the speaker level outputs.

That little class D amp is meant to be used for zones, not the mains. Looking at the specs though, I see no reason why it cannot be used with your Schiit preamp and DAC. You can email Parasound for their opinions and I am sure they will response quickly.

 

[gimpinchair]

Bridge mode in stereo amps put the L and R channels in series some the output voltage will double. That typically means if the amp is 4 ohm capable, it will become 8 ohm capable in order to not exceed the current limit (capability) of the amp.

The Z250' subout's is for use with a powered subwoofer. I think there is a typo in their manual (page 9) where it said it could be used for an in-wall passive subwoofer. For passive subwoofers, you have to use the speaker level outputs.

That little class D amp is meant to be used for zones, not the mains. Looking at the specs though, I see no reason why it cannot be used with your Schiit preamp and DAC. You can email Parasound for their opinions and I am sure they will response quickly.

Great little amp- I've had one running my 4ohm dynaudios for over a year now. Get one of these and you can sell that other schiit

I think it unlikely that I will get rid of my DAC/ headphone amp. I believe the DAC chipset in the Bifrost to be superior to the Cirrus ICs in the 3020. And my Lyr is a good fit with my HE-400i's.

 

[gimpinchair]

Bridge mode in stereo amps put the L and R channels in series some the output voltage will double. That typically means if the amp is 4 ohm capable, it will become 8 ohm capable in order to not exceed the current limit (capability) of the amp.

The Z250' subout's is for use with a powered subwoofer. I think there is a typo in their manual (page 9) where it said it could be used for an in-wall passive subwoofer. For passive subwoofers, you have to use the speaker level outputs.

That little class D amp is meant to be used for zones, not the mains. Looking at the specs though, I see no reason why it cannot be used with your Schiit preamp and DAC. You can email Parasound for their opinions and I am sure they will response quickly.

I have taken your advice an email Parasound. Also, what would be the purpose of bridging an amp?

 

[fmw]

I have taken your advice an email Parasound. Also, what would be the purpose of bridging an amp?

Not much in home audio. The purpose in pro audio is to double the voltage swing. But it doubles the current requirements of the load at the same time. If the the amp is voltage limited then it can be a benefit. If it is current limited then it can be the opposite. Basically it isn't recommended for home audio purposes.

It is important to remember that most home audio systems are overpowered as it is so the bridging isn't going to to do anything important anyway. If the load is 8 ohms, then bridging isn't likely to hurt anything. If it is less then in might. Either way it won't help much.

 

[gimpinchair]

Not much in home audio. The purpose in pro audio is to double the voltage swing. But it doubles the current requirements of the load at the same time. If the the amp is voltage limited then it can be a benefit. If it is current limited then it can be the opposite. Basically it isn't recommended for home audio purposes.

It is important to remember that most home audio systems are overpowered as it is so the bridging isn't going to to do anything important anyway. If the load is 8 ohms, then bridging isn't likely to hurt anything. If it is less then in might. Either way it won't help much.

OK, thanks. So what do you know, or think, about the Pro-ject Box amps? There are a few different models on sale @ musicdirect.com.

 

[PENG]

OK, thanks. So what do you know, or think, about the Pro-ject Box amps? There are a few different models on sale @ musicdirect.com.

I think you can trust their quality but I thought they are mostly preamps. If they do make power amp, I doubt they will offer much power but could be adequate for small rooms with not hard to drive speakers.

 

[fmw]

OK, thanks. So what do you know, or think, about the Pro-ject Box amps? There are a few different models on sale @ musicdirect.com.

I don't know anything about them. Sorry.

 

[gimpinchair]

I think you can trust their quality but I thought they are mostly preamps. If they do make power amp, I doubt they will offer much power but could be adequate for small rooms with not hard to drive speakers.

Well I think I may have found a solution @ safandsoundhq.Com with this item:

Parasound ZampV.3 Two Channel Zone Amplifier B Stock

It seems to be along the lInes of what I'm looking for; what you guys think?