2. amps-preamps
  3. 1213065098

Good Power Amp for Dynaudio Focus

I've got Dynaudio Focus 220's/200c for the fronts, and some 110's for the rear. All of that was going to plug into a Marantz 8002--but I feel I'll be leaving some sound quality behind as well as potentially cooking the Marantz. The Dyn's are 4-ohm speakers at about 87-85dB sensitivity. The Marantz doesn't even claim (in print, anyway) to handle 4-ohm speakers at all--even though they will make that claim on the phone and it doesn't sound half bad to me, at least driving only 2 channels.

Anyway, I figured that a good 2-channel amp would take the heat off the receiver and give me a better 2-channel experience at the same time. I'm 90%/10% on the music/movies ratio.

For features and price, the Parasound A23 looks like a winner. If I did the math right, it could get to 106dB some 5 meters from the speakers (driving 2 channels). I plan to get a powered subwoofer soon, so that too would notch down my power needs.

Do these speakers deserve more power? Going to the A21 buys me about 3dB more output--but 106dB is f'in loud already, right?
chadli

Showing 1 response by ttowntony

ttowntony
145 posts
 
Chad, I'll chime in and help you out here as I'm a Dynaudio/Marantz/Parasound dealer.

First, nice choice in speakers. The Focus series can be outstanding when driven by appropriate amplification. The Marantz 8002 is a very nice receiver. But, you are right, to get the most from your Dyn's an external amplifier is the best way to go.

The Parasound Halo A23 is fabulous for the money, but I'm going to direct you to it's larger multi-channel brother the Halo A51. You need to keep the front 3 channels utilizing the same current for home theater. Using the receiver power is not a good idea for the most important speaker in an HT configuration. Your Dyn's will appreciate the boost in current the A51 gives you too. Especially, at low volume levels. This is where a high powered amplifier is most appreciated.

I've paired many Focus systems with the Parasound Halo's. By far the best pairing is the A51 or A21 powering the Focus 220's. For the money, I cannot recommend a better sounding amplifier with the Dyn's. You would have to spend a lot more to gain anything IMHO.

The Halo A21 amplifier is the much better option over the A23. The Focus 220 will love and reward you for it.
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