Need help picking an Integrated Amplifier for Monitor Audio Silver 6

[Giancarlo]

Hi All,

First post here, so please bear with me. I just purchased my first hi-fi speakers Monitor Audio Silver 6. The speakers sound wonderful and I am quite excited with my first hi-fi system, but I don't want to waste money by putting different components that won't match with the speakers. I've been researching for a week or so for proper integrated amplifiers. Which of these would you all recommend and why?

1. Cambridge Audio CXA60 (new, peak of my current budget)
2. Simaudio Celeste I-5080 (used, below budget)
3. Yamaha AS501 (new, upper range of my budget)
4. Other recommendations are welcome, but my budget is <$1,000

The speakers itself are bright and full of detail and the music I listen to ranges from Classical CDs (Mozart, Schumann, etc.) to Google Play contemporary artists. I'm using my Onkyo AV Receiver with it and based on when I heard it from the store, it's lacking on the mid and lows. So far I've only played it less than 10 hours, so I'm not sure if break in period is also the cause for this.

These speakers are solely for music and will in my "man cave" which is 11'x15' with a separate 5.1 system so room acoustics are also in place. Hope anyone can help. Thanks in advance

 

[j_garcia]

They're broken in, so the sound won't change Trying to tweak your sound via selection of electronic devices is like putting the cart before the horse of sorts. Those variances will be small IMO, and seldom results in the sort of changes that were desired, especially when it comes to stereo components IMO. Your room acoustics are also going to be different than the store's and placement in your room will affect the lows for sure, but may also give you a small different midrange response as well. I've heard these speakers and found them accurate but on the bright side as well.

How close/far from the wall are they and how far do you sit from them? Are you sitting near a wall or further from it? Since it is a man cave, experiment with placement first and see if you're getting results from that.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Welcome to AH.

As J_garcia mentioned essentially your speakers will not change its sonic characteristics with age.
If you didn't hear the shortcomings you describe in the store, your room is at fault and certainly not yoiur Onkyo.
You may want to try a bit of tone control adjustments in the Onkyo, that is why it is there, to be used if necessary.

 

[PENG]

These speakers are solely for music and will in my "man cave" which is 11'x15' with a separate 5.1 system so room acoustics are also in place. Hope anyone can help. Thanks in advance

I am a little confused, are you saying you have a separate 5.1 system in addition to a 2.0 system in the same 11X15 man cave? 11' seems not wide for two pairs of speakers, one for HT and one for music only. So do you have the MA Silver 6 on the 15' side?

Matching amps to speakers simply mean matching power output of the amp to the power requirements (factoring in impedance, phase angles, sensitivity etc.) of the speakers. The Silver 6 should not need much power in a small room but more power never hurts. I like the specs of the Yamaha AS501 but in reality I am sure even my 12 years old Denon AVR-3805 will beat any of the integrated amps you listed in terms of power output, distortions, SN ratio and connectivity. So my recommendation is to try and get an old Denon, Yamaha or Marantz 7.1 AVR for under $300 and use it as an integrated amp.

 

[Giancarlo]

How close/far from the wall are they and how far do you sit from them? Are you sitting near a wall or further from it? Since it is a man cave, experiment with placement first and see if you're getting results from that.

Thanks for the input. The speakers will be 1-2 feet from the wall and the distance between myself and the speakers would be around 11 feet, leaving some distance between the seating and the wall.


PENG - I'm looking for a separate 2.0 to power the MA Silver 6s and use the Receiver for the 5.1. I won't be using the MA's for/with the home theatre and it will be in the 11' side as well. Since I only have bookshelf front speakers for the 5.1, and with the room constraints, it should be fine.

In terms of AV Receiver vs. Integrated Amp. I've been getting two polar opposite opinions for music listening.

two camps with varying opinions:
1. AV Receiver is good enough
2. Integrated Amp is superior and it's blasphemy to use AV receiver

That's why when you mentioned about the receiver, it made me question quite a bit.

Nonetheless, I appreciate the input!

 

[PENG]

two camps with varying opinions:
1. AV Receiver is good enough
2. Integrated Amp is superior and it's blasphemy to use AV receiver

That's why when you mentioned about the receiver, it made me question quite a bit.

Nonetheless, I appreciate the input!

The two camps are not that far apart of we narrow things down a little. For example, an integrated amp at the >$2000 range would likely sound audibly better than a $1,000<7.1 AVR, but a >$2,000 7.1 AVR such as the Marantz SR-7XXX, AVR-X4XXXW, Yamaha RX-A20X0, Anthem MRX-7X0 and models above them, would likely sound as good as a $2,000 integrated amp.

Also, the AVRs I listed all have decent bass management capabilities. The MA Silver 6 may be marginally okay in your relatively small room, but for optimum performance and to make them sound not "bright", you really should consider adding one or two high quality subwoofers. When you do, the AVRs, with bass management and REQ features, will get you further ahead.

So far I am only talking about sound quality related issues, the typically better DACs in those AVRs, connectivity, and ability to play all sorts of digital files are additional benefits. I know it sounds odd to use a 7.1 AVR to do 2.0 or 2.1 but it is really a good practically solution. I have compared my old Denon to my much more expensive separates; and if I close my eyes to focus enjoying the music, I can live with either one.

 

[Giancarlo]

The two camps are not that far apart of we narrow things down a little. For example, an integrated amp at the >$2000 range would likely sound audibly better than a $1,000<7.1 AVR, but a >$2,000 7.1 AVR such as the Marantz SR-7XXX, AVR-X4XXXW, Yamaha RX-A20X0, Anthem MRX-7X0 and models above them, would likely sound as good as a $2,000 integrated amp.

Also, the AVRs I listed all have decent bass management capabilities. The MA Silver 6 may be marginally okay in your relatively small room, but for optimum performance and to make them sound not "bright", you really should consider adding one or two high quality subwoofers. When you do, the AVRs, with bass management and REQ features, will get you further ahead.

So far I am only talking about sound quality related issues, the typically better DACs in those AVRs, connectivity, and ability to play all sorts of digital files are additional benefits. I know it sounds odd to use a 7.1 AVR to do 2.0 or 2.1 but it is really a good practically solution. I have compared my old Denon to my much more expensive separates; and if I close my eyes to focus enjoying the music, I can live with either one.

Thanks for the input. That helps put things in perspective.

 

[j_garcia]

I agree with those statements that the additional processing (PEQ, good bass management, etc...) of an AVR can be a bigger benefit than the differences in power/signal purity or whatever that might be a benefit on an Integrated. That depends on what you're looking for too though. I tend to listen to 2ch with no processing even on my current setup, but I DO want my sub more often than not. I used an older AVR in a 2ch setup where it replaced an integrated amp and it served my needs better actually due simply to bass management and connection options (until it got stolen...).

Another option to consider: http://outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html

It has bass management, but no room correction.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't want to waste money by putting different components that won't match with the speakers.

The only thing that won't match your speakers would be an amp that is underpowered.

I think a good rule of thumb is to get $1000+ MSRP (cheaper on sale) component that has at least 100WPC into 8 ohms.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Here is a $2,000 Marantz for only $900.

http://www.amazon.com/Marantz-SR7008-9-2-Channel-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00CS4X8S2/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1457577703&sr=1-4&keywords=Marantz+Receiver

Also one in Very Good Condition for $764.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00CS4X8S2/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used