Help Choosing an amplifier

[PENG]

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?

Should be fine for your speaker, in you bedroom on a desk. The CBM-170 can still sound better with the help of even a small subwoofer. Are you getting one?

 

[KenM10759]

Does the fact that the NAD 3020 is a little smaller, has a sub output and can sit vertically to take up less desk space have no impact upon your decision?

 

[PENG]

Does the fact that the NAD 3020 is a little smaller, has a sub output and can sit vertically to take up less desk space have no impact upon your decision?

The answers can be found in his post#3 and #5. He already has DAC and preamp so he thinks he only needs a suitable power amp that can fit on his desk. The NAD should meet his physical requirements but it is not just a power amp.

 

[KenM10759]

I understand but does desk space mean anything and does the Schiit DAC have a sub output?

 

[gimpinchair]

Does the fact that the NAD 3020 is a little smaller, has a sub output and can sit vertically to take up less desk space have no impact upon your decision?

What PENG said. I'be looked at th e 3020, and the 7050 because of the Android app, but the redundancy of the DAC/Amp disturbs me. I know!, it's all in my head. But I can't get past it;it's just who I am.

 

[gimpinchair]

I understand but does desk space mean anything and does the Schiit DAC have a sub output?

A lack of desk space means something. It means no room for full size amps. Now is it my reluctance to the proffered solution of the NAD that has you bothered, or my choice of DAC/Am?. Because I get the feeling you are angered. I certainly hope that is not the case.

 

[PENG]

I understand but does desk space mean anything and does the Schiit DAC have a sub output?

Those z amps have sub out and/or loop out that can be used as sub out. Worst case it is easy to get a sub that has speaker level inputs.

If he likes his dac and preamp, I don't see why he shouldn't keep them, unless there is no choice, but that's not the case.

 

[PENG]

What PENG said. I'be looked at th e 3020, and the 7050 because of the Android app, but the redundancy of the DAC/Amp disturbs me. I know!, it's all in my head. But I can't get past it;it's just who I am.

Did you look into that mini emo amp someone suggested?

 

[gimpinchair]

Did you look into that mini emo amp someone suggested?

I did. It was out of stock on the Emotiva website, as well as on Amazon. However, Emotiva also has the Fusion Flex on closeout. The look to share similar specs. It does have one additional input.Of course the Zamp has a little better specs and similar dimensions. Only slightly more, but with my budget leaging some extra coin for a sub.
A suggestions on a sub. He said ducking for cover!

 

[KenM10759]

A lack of desk space means something. It means no room for full size amps. Now is it my reluctance to the proffered solution of the NAD that has you bothered, or my choice of DAC/Am?. Because I get the feeling you are angered. I certainly hope that is not the case.

Not angered nor upset good sir, just wondering if you'd weighed the all features and benefits of each before buying. When I looked at the specs for the Parasound Zamp3 I didn't see (overlooked?) mention of a line level sub output. Also, if I were filling up a desktop where space is at a premium, a vertical standing amp would hold appeal. The DAC on the NAD is pretty darn good, don't know anything about your unit so I apologize for my ignorance.

 

[gimpinchair]

Not angered nor upset good sir, just wondering if you'd weighed the all features and benefits of each before buying. When I looked at the specs for the Parasound Zamp3 I didn't see (overlooked?) mention of a line level sub output. Also, if I were filling up a desktop where space is at a premium, a vertical standing amp would hold appeal. The DAC on the NAD is pretty darn good, don't know anything about your unit so I apologize for my ignorance.

No problem man. Just didn't want to be the reason for anyone's consternation. But I am very attached to my DAC/Amp.

 

[Seth=L]

No problem man. Just didn't want to be the reason for anyone's consternation. But I am very attached to my DAC/Amp.

I get your feeling. I think you should go with the Parasound Zamp based on what I see here.

 

[PENG]

No problem man. Just didn't want to be the reason for anyone's consternation. But I am very attached to my DAC/Amp.

That headphone amp/preamp is a very nice one. I won't have any concern to match it up with even the Parasound Halo amps. I have used one of those (not Schiit) single stage tube headphone amp/DAC combo with my A21, worked very well.

I just checked the specs of your Bifrost DAC, impressive and not cheap. I have no doubt it is far superior to any of those built in to a desktop integrated unit such as the NAD 3020. Whether that translates into audibly better sound quality will depend, as usual..

 

[PENG]

I get your feeling. I think you should go with the Parasound Zamp based on what I see here.

I wonder what Richard Schram would say about that little interesting Zamp. He said he did email Parasound.

 

[gimpinchair]

I wonder what Richard Schram would say about that little interesting Zamp. He said he did email Parasound.

I did email Parasound and received a very nice email from Mr. Schram. He feels the Zonemaster 250 would do well with the Ascend Acoustics. So it would be either the 250 @ $475 (which would mean saving a little more) or the b-stock ZampV.3 @ $280 from SafeandsoundHQ. The ZampV.3 would let me get a subwoofer, if I can find a good one reasonably priced.

 

[fmw]

Go with whatever allows for a subwoofer in the budget. The sub will supply more impact to your sound than the rest of the system combined.

 

[Seth=L]

You can connect a subwoofer to either the Zamp v.3 or the Zonemaster 250. Makes no difference there. It's worth noting the Zamp v.3 does 45 watts per channel at 8 ohms and the Zone master 250 does 50 watts per channel. Assuming they were rated under the exact same circumstances the power difference is negligible.

 

[gimpinchair]

Go with whatever allows for a subwoofer in the budget. The sub will supply more impact to your sound than the rest of the system combined.

Ok, this baffles me. How does a subwoofer have more impact than the speakers?

 

[Seth=L]

Ok, this baffles me. How does a subwoofer have more impact than the speakers?

Taken literally it adds slam to your sound.

fmw places high importance on subwoofers for overall sound. He is neither right or wrong since it's a subjective opinion. I know people who don't like bass at all (they are few and far between) but I place a higher significance on soundstage and midbass-highs accuracy (or overall pleasing sound in this range).

 

[fmw]

Ok, this baffles me. How does a subwoofer have more impact than the speakers?

You will discover that as soon as you fire up your new subwoofer.