I’d go with a new amp. Really depends on what sound characteristics and improvements you’re looking for, but I’d put the Belles Aria integrated on your list. Best of luck.
Integrated upgrade recomendations
Hi all! Newish to the hobby. I've had a PS Sprout 100 and Wharfedale Denton 85 for about 2 years. They sound great but I have the itch to upgrade. Any recommendations for an integrated amp for these speakers, or should I upgrade the speakers first? Budget is $2000 or so
The Rotel RA-1572MKll would be an excellent option.
Cheers,
Scott |
I like the Marantz PM8006; I had a PM8005 for several years and was very happy with the overall performance. Received almost full value as a trade in.
https://www.marantz.com/en-us/product/amplifiers/pm8006
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The Sprout is bright and the Wharfedale's are dull. If you are keeping one as part of any future upgrade path then bear in mind you like the current sound. If you replace one of them, do so with the same characteristics. If you believe you will upgrade both in the future either do it now or pick the one with a more neutral balance. Cheaper Marantz amps and dads tend to be bright. Rotel and certainly Creek tend to be more neutral. Musical Fidelity are rather more hit and miss some great others not, some bright, some dull. If you can afford then Naim are my preference of the well known brands, with NAD a good cheaper choice. |
What size space, main music system? I would use those speakers in a second system, and get new larger speakers if the space allows. Or, no 2nd use, sell them to help pay for the speakers you move up to. I use and very much like my Wharfedale Diamond 225, similar driver sizes and efficiency, in my office (with a single sub adding just enough that they don’t sound small). your interesting amp does not appear to have pre-out/main-in so not ideal if you want to try a stereo pair of self-powered subs. |
What size space, main music system? I would use those speakers in a second system, and get new larger speakers if the space allows. Or, no 2nd use, sell them to help pay for the speakers you move up to. I use and very much like my Wharfedale Diamond 225, similar driver sizes and efficiency, in my office (with a single sub adding just enough that they don’t sound small). your interesting amp does not appear to have pre-out/main-in so not ideal if you want to try a stereo pair of self-powered subs. This is my main/only system in my den. Room is 15x15 8 foot ceilings. I am not opposed to upgrading speakers, but with the Sprout the Denton 85s fill the room nicely. Unfortunately, the digital input on the sprout stopped working and I'm out of warranty so I figured this would be a good opportunity to upgrade |
The issue with many Audiophiles is they go cheap on electronics. Yes most of us know speakers/room will dictate/control your sound. When you cut corners on electronics you will never know what the speakers capability is. What % do you think the Sprout gets out of your Denton 85? Upgrade your amp then source and have basic room treatment. When this is accomplished enjoy the Denton until your ready for a speaker upgrade. |
I never mentioned an amp. I helped my sister set up an entry level system. Decided on a Belles Aria due to the reviews and comments by well respected bloggers and by luck the Belles Aria is excellent at it's price point(2500?) With this amp you can upgrade to another efficient speaker and keep your amp. |
+1 @dayglow
I would modify this advice just a little bit. Often, the room is a big and overlooked factor affecting the sound. With that in mind, I would do things this way: (a) Test your room and see if there are large bass and reflection problems. Play with positioning to mitigate problems. There are a lot of resources out there about this and basic room triage can be done quickly. You will then have a better baseline to judge every other component. (b) Consider getting a better DAC than the Sprout. An R2R topology might be just the ticket. (c) If (a) and (b) don't help improve things a lot, then a better amp might be the ingredient that tips things significantly forward.
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