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Integrated Amp for small space for VA speakers

Hello,

I just recently inherited my dad’s Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands and his Velodyne subwoofer.  I now need to get these beauties the proper amplification they deserve. I live in a small condo in the city and due to proximity won’t ever be turning up my music to high levels. I understand these 4-ohm speakers need a lot of power. My dad had a huge Yamaha power amp, which is way too big for my place and would just blow my doors off and cause my neighbors above, below, and to the side to hate me. My question is, in such a small and crowded space, how much amplification would I need? I won’t be listening at loud levels but would like to hear detail at low levels. I was considering integrated amps and am looking at the just-released Cambridge Audio CXA81. It has 80 watts per channel but I understand it’s clean power with huge reserves. I heard it just the other day and it was able to drive effortlessly a pair of Polk Legend floor speakers. Also heard them with a pair of small KEFs that sounded very sweet and had an amazing image and sound for their size. So, would this be enough for the VA Mozart Grands with an active subwoofer?  The guy who demoed the CXA81 for me thought so as he was really over the moon about it and thought it could drive anything, calling it a beast. I don’t know about that but I really liked the way it sounded and much preferred it to the Marantz or NAD. Or should I be considering more power even though I’m in a very small space? Something like the Cambridge Audio Azure 851? I’m not that knowledgeable about audio components but love to listen to a wide range of music, including opera, orchestral, jazz, Motown, and classic rock. I like a neutral if confident sound which the CXA81 seemed to have.  Any suggestions would be appreciated!


kara200
bryhifi's avatar
bryhifi
374 posts
 
Depending on budget and how you feel about efficiency (being green) Wyred 4 Sound STI-500v2 has a lot to offer in performance and power. 
I have the STI-500v1, which can be obtained for around $800, and it sounds fantastic with numerous speakers that thrive with power as well as speakers that are pretty high in efficiency and do not require gobs of power.  Read some of the reviews to get an idea of their performance levels.  One of the best under $1000 investments I've ever made. 

https://wyred4sound.com/products/integrated-amps/clearance/sti-v2-series
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,671 posts
 
That CXA81 is plenty enough power for those VA speakers. It puts out 120 watts with the VA 4 ohm load!
kara200 OP
3 posts
 
Hi Everyone, 
Thanks for responding! $1500 is my budget, $2k at the max. The Yamaha is just too large for my smaller stereo cabinet (it can't sit in it) and my small space, plus my brother already has it running in his basement. I currently have the grands about 2 ft from the wall. I will look into isolating it and also into the Wyred 4 sound. I love reading reviews! @yogiboy, I'm glad you think the CXA81 is powerful enough. I do like the way it sounded; although I couldn't tell if that was the Polks or those amazing small KEFs. 
memcdm
13 posts
 
What a lucky man you are!  At low to moderate levels you will not need hugh power. You need a stable amp that can deliver current to feed your awesome speakers.  You need a sub out for that sub.  You budget should get you there. The subwoofer is likely to be the thing that annoys your neighbors so you could listen sans sub if necessary.  Sound proofing can get very expensive and requires professional assistance.  You can enjoy your favorite tunes at moderate levels that do not wake the dead, destroy your hearing or get you evicted.
big_greg
6,628 posts
 
Consider a used Peachtree Nova 300.  Plenty of power and a small form factor and you'll get a nice DAC and a decent headphone amp and a phono input.  You should be able to find a used one within your budget.
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