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Is a Power Amp the Answer?

Hi Everyone…

I want to adjust my stereo system to sound extremely clear, virtually distortion-free, strong across all frequencies and loud, without having to turn the volume on my integrated receiver to 70. (More than that, distortion starts becoming apparent.) Plus, I’d like it to be louder, but I loose audiophile sound quality at louder levels with my current line-up.

I’m thinking that adding a power amp and hooking it up to my integrated amp might be the answer. I’ve never done this, don’t know how, and need your guys’ and gals’ input, please.

My current equipment:

Rotel RA-1570 integrated amp. 120/watts/channel; 80 db S/N ratio, phono stage, 100 db S/N ratio, Digital and LL.  http://www.rotel.com/product/ra-1570  

GoldenEar Triton Five loudspeakers.  90 db efficiency, 8 ohms, recommended amplification, 15-400 wpc. https://www.goldenear.com/products/triton-series?gktab=3

(Also, for the record, Oppo BDP-105, Pioneer PL-550 turntable with Denon DL-110 cartridge, and V-LPS phono stage.)

Three questions, please:

  1. Are my Rotel integrated amp and GoldenEar Triton Fives properly matched, in the sense of this: am I maximizing the features of both products, given their respective specifications. (I don’t know; I don’t understand this part of putting together a system whose synergies are maximized.)

  2. I think I can use the Rotel as a preamp and match a 300-watt power amp to it to sound extremely clear, virtually distortion-free, strong across all frequencies and loud, without having to turn the volume on my integrated receiver to 70.

  3. If the answer to question 2 is “yes,” what 300-watt power amp would any of you suggest up to $2,000.  (I looked at the reviews of the Emotiva XPA Gen3, but my it was priced at only $800. Of course, as an American, I’m thinking something must be wrong, since all the other power amps in that wattage class are significantly more expensive. Am I right, or is the Emotiva audiophile class?) https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/xpa-gen3

Thank you, everyone. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. So happy to be a part of this group.

Mark

 

 


 

 

128x128tritonmark
2channel8
758 posts
 
Try different speakers with the Rotel!
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,180 posts
 
Mark, how big is your room?
tritonmark's avatar
tritonmark OP
6 posts
 
My listening room is actually pretty small...10 feet deep by 12 feet wide. When I sit on my couch in the sweet spot, I am about 5 feet from the middle point of the speakers, which are about 8 feet apart. I wish I could send you a picture of my listening room. Thank you. I look forward to your response. Mark
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,577 posts
 
Room size and shape may be limiting bass extension and volume to some degree.  Sub may actually be more helpful in this case to allow more sdjustment of bass parameters.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,180 posts
 
More questions, Mark, can you tell us how you connect the Oppo 105 to the Rotel? Are you using the analog output from the 105 to one of the line input of the Rotel, or using the digital connection from the Oppo to Rotel?
When you say you can't turn up the volume over 70 without distortion, is it only using the Oppo or turntable or both?
If you turn up the volume over 70, can you listen closely to check if the distorted sound come from any one of the speaker driver or radiator?
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