To be clear, my BlueSound node will handle my digital needs. Only missing a phono amp. Streaming, Bluetooth, wi-fi and hdmi ARC so my only preference in an integrated is for a phono stage.
Another "Best" amplifier Question.
Hope I'm not beating on the old horse too hard. I had originally intended to buy The now discontinued KEF r3s but ended up with the new Meta instead. Very pleased so far but still in burn-in mode on days wife not working from home.
Given my age, I intend for this to be my end game system (yea right). As per my previous post, system is the new R3 Metas, Bluesond Node, Technics SL-1200 MK2 with Ortofon Red, Sony UBP-X800M2 Blueray/CD and a Sony 55" XBR. No home theater set-up just seeking better audio from TV. Also Have an HSU VT1 sub. All feeding from a Yamaha R-N500 Receiver. System is hooked up to gigabit internet sevice and I listen mainly to Amazon Ultra HD music. All in all, not a high end system but somewhat better than box store IMHO.
I feel I need to replace the receiver as it not the best power choice for the KEFs. In researching, I've hit that deer in the headlights point where I'm frozen and overwhelmed by choices. Right up front I need to establish that my budget is around $2k. Only local dealer I consider audiophile carries Lyngdorf, Atoll, Marantz, NAD and Boulder. He is really pushing The Atoll IN-100 but says the Lyngforf doesn't have enough grunt. Did not even discuss Marantz or NAD and Boulder is in another universe. Atoll lacks phono but can be added at extra cost.
Online choices that intrigue me most: Emotive BASX A2/PT2 combo. Lots of features and power. Can be had (w/ first time buyer discount) for about $1100. Yamaha A-S1200 or Marantz 30 are available open box or refurb for my price range as is a JBLSA750. The JBL has a strong amp and interesting feature set including room correction. I'm probably missing many choices but I'm interested in a high currebt and from communicating with KEF, best to have something thats comfortable driving up to 150 watts into 4 ohms.
Lots of knowledge laden people so I'm looking forward to some solid advice. Thanks in advance.
Showing 16 responses by llg98ljk
No interest in a receiver. I am intrigued by the Emotiva combo. 160 into 8ohms and 250 into 4. The JBL is class G and pumps 200 watts into 4ohms. Don’t know about reliability. I am also strongly drawn to the Yamaha A-S1200. I have a long history with them going back to 1978 when I acquired my monster CR2020 receiver. The AS-1200 is only rated at 90@8 and 140@4 but it has a 624va transformer and built like a tank (48lbs). It also is Crutchfield’s pick when I talked to them. Priced at 3K but I can find it open box or refurbed for what I am willing to spend. I’m a little leery of used unless from a reputable dealer with return policy. |
Don't have golden ears. Far from it (I'm 75). My interest is getting the most I can from my new KEF R3 Metas. My Yamaha R-N500 will certainly play loud enough but in the interest of getting the best from them in terms of what many people here talk about, ie: Presence, bass control, sound stage, etc, I think I need a higher quality amp. The Yamaha is rated at 80 wpc at 8ohms and only 105@4. I feel that's on the low side and believe erring on the high side is better. |
The Shiit combos Go over budget. Gotta ask, any love for Emotiva here? The Yamaha I was eying is gone. Emotiva BasX series looks really good from where I sit. X A2 amp is 160wpc @8 and 250@4. PT2 preamp has an awful nice feature set. All in for about half my budget. Would leave me some extra for accessories and interconnects. What think you?
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Not really hung up on watts. The Yamaha A-s1200 is only rated at 90wps @ 8ohm.However, it has a 624 v/a toroidal transformer and will happily drive 4ohm loads, Solid build at around 48 lbs. I've tossed around the idea of a tube amp. Most high-quality ones are far above my self imposed budget. in addition, I'm leery of tube amps because of maintenance and tube life. At this stage of my life, I favor set and forget. Thats one of the reasons I retired my Yamaha CR2020 to storage.
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Those have all been on my radar. I've been obsessing and researching this for over a month now. The 1582 MK2 looks interesting. As far as NAD, I may be wrong here but I was bothered by the number of negative comments about their reliability and build quality. As far as Yamaha, despite my 44 year relationship with them, I'm not wedded to the idea of staying with them. Still wondering if anyone has experience or thoughts about the Emotiva route. For just over $1k I ca assemble a pre/power amp that checks all my boxes and more. |
I will probably make a decision by this weekend. Taking a bunch of stuff I've accumulated over the years to a place in Kansas City that repairs audio gear and also buys. None of it, except for my Yamaha CR2020, is worth trying to sell online as it doesn't rise up to audiophile level. Hopefully will be better than taking to recycling. Thanks everyone for the tips so far. Thinking about this, I do a reality check. I've always had a love for music but in my formative years, most of my listening was done on an old AM table radio until my father sprang for suitcase stereo record player, Also hung a little transistor AM radio from the mirror in my 1956 Mercury. No FM yet. Me and music have come a long way since them. Though far from affluent, I can afford more than I'm looking for, but. I also love my guitars, 2 Martin acoustics. So to me and my realistic needs, the range I'm in price wise will certainly make me happy. Not going down the rabbit hole of chasing the grail. So. Still have a pining for that big Yammy. Also not ruled out the Marantz 30 (these would be at open box or refurb pricing. Still intriguing: Arcam SA20, the M5si or Rotel RA1572 MK2. Despite some of the naysayers, I may end up with the Emotiva BASX combo. XA2 amp and PT2 pre. Most features and one of the stoutest amps in this group for about $1200 all in. Once again, thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. Great group! |
Half way there! So, I made my trip to divest myself of old stuff from the basement. Good or bad, here is the outcome. I traded my non-working Yamaha CR2020 receiver and a pair of KEF Q300 speakers plus a few box store grade items for a Yamaha M80 amp. This thing is a monster, Rated for 8-6-4 ohm speakers and safe down to 2 ohms. Rated at 250 into 8 and 330 into 4 and far exceeds it's rated output. So now I'm left with a search for a preamp. Any suggestions appreciated. |
Hooked up the M80 this afternoon and running it off my Bluesound Node. All I can say right now is WOW! Dialed up Amazon Ultra HD and played "My Father's house" by Emmylou Harris and "Ballad of the Runaway horse" by Jennifer Warnes. The depth and power of the bass (without subwoofer) and the clarity of the mids was amazing. This was at normal listening levels. I'm mightally impressed so far with my bargain amp. |
Hopefully, final update. First of all, thanks to everyone who took the time to read and reply to my concerns. As I stated earlier, I came across a no cash exchange where I traded a nonfunctioning Yamaha CR2020 receiver and a couple of other pieces for a Yamaha M80 power amp. To be clear, I'm not stuck on Yamaha but after looking up the specs I thought it was too good to pass up. My next goal was to find a pre-amp to run things, I had just acquired my Bluesound node as a streamer and it is near to being enough of a pre but lacked phono and I kind of wanted a tuner. Many suggestions received but most were beyond my self-imposed budget. I settled on the Emotiva PT2. I know many won't approve but. for convenience, it checks all the boxes and then some. Tuner, DAC, MC/MM phono, bass management and a remote. The Emotiva is scheduled to arrive this afternoon .My current philosophy with audio is to not let perfection get in the way of good enough. I have little doubt that I will end up with a system that satisfies me. Most importantly, I will leave behind a nice bundle of stocks, bonds and cash (to my much younger wife) as opposed to a high dollar stereo system about which she cares very little :) |