2. misc-audio
  3. 165786-160212

Have I got the wrong amp? or the wrong speakers?

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and a relative beginner at hifi, so please excuse the (potentially) dumb question.
In homage to my late father, and the basic, budget setup he had when I was a kid, I've recently acquired a vintage AKAI AA-1150 receiver (circa 1979 I think) and paired it with brand new Wharfedale EVO 4.2 large bookcase speakers.

Two problems - 
First, I think the speakers are waaay too sensitive for the amp - turn the volume up to 3 and the room is shaking. Taking the dial to 11 would definitely kill the Wharfedales.  My old speakers (Paradigm Atom) suffer too, but a little less.  Its definitely the amplifier!
Second, the sound is impossibly forward and bright.  Incredibly clear, with amazing detail (from both vinyl & DAC) but really hard on the ears.

Do I need to ditch the nostalgia and get a warmer, 21st Century integrated amplifier?  Or is there some setting I've missed somewhere?

All suggestions welcomed!
tavish

Showing 2 responses by stevewharton

stevewharton
111 posts
 
Don't overthink this and run down a few rabbit trails trying to make that receiver work properly, unless you enjoy all the testing and placement and have some time to kill

I concur with MC and the others that have already indicated the receiver is your pain point

I second the suggestion of the PS Audio Sprout integrated amp, $600ish and they'd probably give you a few bucks on the trade in of the Akai

I run a Sprout on a 2 channel B system with a pair of KEF Q750s for my TV and streaming Tidal and Qobuz via Bluetooth from my phone

It's a great price performer, easy set up, not fussy and SQ is worthy

For extra added pleasure a good middle of the road power and speaker cables was like putting big boy pants on the Sprout
stevewharton
111 posts
 
@clearthinker
Hi Miller, Russ, SteveYou got a down on receivers.Please tell me why an amplifier coupled to a radio will have inherently poorer sound quality than a lone amplifier

I'm probably more down on the fact that it's an Akai receiver.

The receiver is still the workhorse power source in the AV space

In the 2 channel realm the receiver is considered an entry level component as you go up the food chain to separates the SQ improves

SQ and radio really don't go together very well, best done in the car for the most part - IMHO
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