Matching a amplifier to speakers

Congratulations! Excellent choice in speakers. They are excellent performers, very capable.

Given what you have said. A Pass amp would be an excellent choice. I would recommend used. At that budget point, you would be able to get one that was originally twice the price. Perhaps a Pass X250.5. They have tremendous current (amps, the force behind watts). I owned a X350 for many years. I am sure there will be lots of recommendations. 

ghdprentice

That's funny,I was literally just listening to demo's of the X250.5.

I just put it on the list.

Thanks

@twangy57 Wrote:

 

Matching a amplifier to speakers

The new to me speakers are Dynaudio Focus 360’s

Schiit Tyr mono amps $1599 each. 

Mike

@twangy57 two of this - Buckeye PURIFI 1ET9040BA Monoblock

ditusa

I will put them on the short list,are they class D?

Thanks

kofibaffour

First time I’ve heard of those.

I will see what their about.

Thanks

A pair of Fosi V3 Monos with two 48 volt power supplies - $400. Why spend more?

Those speakers will shine with a lot of current, I suggest you look at a CODA Continuum No. 8-V1, You should be able to negotiate a deal close to your budget. 

I second the Coda #8. This is a steal:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650144417-coda-continuum-no-8-amplifier-v1/

@twangy57 Wrote:

ditusa

I will put them on the short list,are they class D?

Thanks

From the Schiit site: 

’’No switching supplies?

No.

No Class D?

No.

Class A or AB?

Neither. Continuity™.

What is this Continuity™ thing, really?

Continuity is our way of compensating for transconductance droop when the amplifier transitions out of Class A operation and into Class AB, and to help solve the mismatch between NPN and PNP output devices.’’ 

Mike

Coda for sure!

jasonbourne71

Thanks,I will check them out.

fthompson251

zlone

laaudionut

Coda is on the list.

I will give them a good look.

I like that I’am getting some agreement on something for a change.

Thanks

Musical Fidelity pair well with Dynaudio.

You could try some of the Orchard Audio GaNFET Class D amps. I have some and really like them. They sound a little different to me from PuriFi Class D amps (which I also like). I suggest you should investigate which approach sounds better to you in your setup.

I am an engineering type who believes all of these modern amps with perfect measured performance should sound the same. Much to my discomfort, that's not what I've experienced when I tried them.

Are you looking for new or used?

@twangy57 - As a fellow owner of Dynaudio speakers, I strongly encourage you to find a higher wattage amp with high current. I think Dynaudio voices them to sound their best that way. I have run them with a lower wattage amp and they’re anemic that way. 
 

I would concur with earlier suggestions that Pass Labs or Coda would be a good choice. 

Just a comment on the Pass Labs x250.5, it has a low input impedance.  The newer x250.8 is higher and has higher input capacitance based on my conversation with Ken at Pass.  Point being if you haven't checked, make sure the preamp and amp are a good match as well.  A 10 to 1 ratio of amp input impedance to preamp output impedance is recommended as a minimum.  I demoed both the 250.8 and 350.8 and liked them both. -Best

Dynaudio is a fine manufacturer - now that you've chosen your speakers, it's time to hear them with some different amps!  I think they have a pretty consistent "house" sound, so hearing any Dynaudios with an amp should give you a good idea of the fit, 'tho best with floorstanders like yours, obviously.

Weren't you in the Chicago area?  Dynaudio used to have an "Experience Center" in Northbrook.  You should definitely see if it's still around, as well as any local stores that carry Dynaudio.  You might want to look for an audio group, too.  We have one in the SF Bay area, seems like a place as big as Chicago ought to.

I'm a definite Nelson Pass fan - a legendary designer, true searcher, nicest guy I've met in audio, and maybe the single most prominent figure in the DIY world (he's all over DIY Audio). 

The only Class D I've checked out was a Hypex NCore.  I preferred my 40+ year old Threshold, but made the switch because a) it was my office system, b) the eventual refresh I was facing would have cost plenty more than the new NCore, and c) Threshold resale value.  I'm not ready to put class D in my main system, but you shouldn't necessarily rule it out.  They're pretty cost effective and use a lot less juice to run.  Of course, who knows if they'll last 40 years or not?  

The other thing I learned from my experience (this only applies to NCore afaik, but is likely true for other class D) was that their amp RMS power ratings are only 1/5 of the quoted peak power!  So, they have massive headroom but may not be able to sustain long periods of headbanging high power operation.  For example, see page 5 of:

https://www.hypex.nl/media/c4/13/51/1738587870/NC500_OEM_02xx%20R11.pdf

Note 1: Typically, this is 1/5 of the peak output power. Apply sufficient cooling.

lordmelton

Thanks,I think I have heard that they do go well with Dynaudio speakers.

II’ll add them to my list.

mike_in_nc

Thanks,I know nothing about class D.I will have to read up on them.

soix

Either,depending on condition,price.

Thanks

bluethinker

I hear you,That is the one thing that I see in most reviews of the Dynaudio's.

I will write That down in my notes.

Any thoughts on the Parasound Halo 21+?

Thanks

@twangy57 - Future Audiophile has reviewed quite a few Class D amps. I can think of worse places to start your reading.

As you do your reading, I hope you'll consider two things: (1) Class D has improved a LOT in the last 10 years, and some people (including me) think it rivals Class A sound; and (2) a lot of audiophile prejudice is out there, based on who-knows-what (maybe the Class D of 20 years ago, maybe just that it's called "D") against Class D. IMO that is rubbish. I have heard and owned some Class D amps that I've preferred to more expensive class AB amps, including some very highly regarded ones.

Trust your own ears.

salc

Ok,good to know.

I have been focusing on high currant,and damping factor.

I will do some reading on the input impedance ratio.

I have a old McIntosh MX110 tuner/preamp.

I will check this against the Pass amp,just to see what it looks like.

Thanks

mike_in_nc

Ok,but I know that every single piece of guitar gear I have tried that was claimed to be better than that old stuff has never worked for me,

Most of the digital modeling stuff sounds good when you demo it,but once there is competing instruments involved it falls on its face,and sends me running to a 64 Fender amp.

I will try though,as it would be nice to just once,like something that doesn't cost a bunch.

Thanks

petaluman

Thanks,sounds like good advice.
I'am very hesitant at this point to stray far from the amps I grew up listening too,so it would have to just blow me away in order for me to make the change now.

You asked about the Parasound A21+. If you are willing to stretch your budget just a little bit, you can get the Parasound JC5 in silver for $5499. I’ve had Parasound amps for years and just recently bought a JC5 (but in black). I find it really neutral, and at 400 watts/channel into 8 ohms, it should have no trouble driving your Dynaudio 360s. 

Wyred4Sound SX 1000R monoblocks ($3300) will make your Dynaudios sing. Headroom is what I refer to. Like a powerful car where you set the cruise control but the transmission doesn't kick down, even in the mountains. 

mbarrett635

I saw them,but I'am trying to stay around 4,000 or less.

Probably not going to find those used for awhile either.

Are they that much better than the Halo?

Thanks

incorrigable

I will see what I can find on them.

Thanks

Take a look at Odyssey Audio.  Klaus makes some very good amplifiers.  I replaced my Rogue Audio 100 wpc tube amp with two 200 watt monobloc amps, and the improvement was quite significant—I consider these amplifiers to be “keepers.”   Odyssey offers both stereo and monobloc solid state amplifiers, made here in the U.S., and with a 20-year warranty.  www.odysseyaudio.com. 

mike4597

Thank you,I will take a look at Odyssey Audio.

@twangy57 

I would highly suggest the Anthem STR Power Amp. It'll power any speaker you hook to it (see reviews with measurements and you'll see it's actual power output), looks awesome with the meters (which you can turn off if you don't like them) and it has a fantastic sound.

Not my ad

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650203087-anthem-str-amplifier-mint-mint-mint/

@twangy57  - I recommended the JC5 since you initially suggested a budget of $5000. Less is understandable (although I never seem to be able to come in under budget). lol. But the close out price on a new silver Parasound JC5 is nearly the same as recent used ones. If you’re considering Parasound, this is a pretty good deal. 

incorrigable

ThanksI will look a the wired 4sound amps,they might be a good candidate,as they have like a 91k ohm input impedance.

My Mac mx110 is recommended to be used with amps of at least 100k ohms,and there aren’t many solid state amps that have that.

I might have to go tube if I want to keep the Mcintosh pre-amp.

That could get expensive with the high currant these speakers like.

Does anybody know of any good solid state amps with input impedance of at least 100k.

Thanks

In my search for a high impedance amp,it seems most of the Conrad Johnson SS amps have a 100k ohm input spec.

I found a old one for sale on the Audiogon site..It is a 350sa SS amp.

It has the power I need and is in my budget.I have heard CJ tube amps,which I thought sounded great.

Would any of you consider buying a amp over 20 years old ?(I think).

Thanks

@twangy57. Remember: Schiit Tyr Mono Amps see here. 

Mike

@twangy57 you’ve gotten some good suggestions so far.  I don’t hoe you could go wrong with a Pass Labs amp.  Some solid state amps that I suggest pair well with Dynaudio speakers include amps from Moon, Primare and Plinius, and can be found used for reasonable prices. The comment on impedance matching is important no mayter what you choose.

kn

ditusa

I looked at the schiit tyre,but it has a input impedance of 47k.

I'am looking for something near 100k or more as Mcintosh recommends for my MX110 tuner/pre-amp

thanks

I have been looking at the spec’s on many of amps recommended here,and few have a high enough input impedance to work well with my mx110.

McIntosh states a 40k output on the mx110,and a minimum 100k input on the amp it is to be going into.

The Parasound Halo 21+ comes close at 84k unbalanced .

The Rogue Audio stereo 100 is 200k

I was trying to go solid state for less maint.,heat and tighter bass.

Would the Rogue st-100 have enough power for my speakers(Dynaudio focus 360 4ohm)?

Would  the 84k input impedance on the Parasound be alright with my Mac mx110?

I’am wondering if the older Conrad Johnson 350sa,could be repaired if needed down the road?

Thanks

@twangy57 I might suggest this:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbdfg8-audio-research-vt200-mkii-power-amplifier-silver-pre-owned-tube

I have no connection to this seller, just seems like it would fit the bill.

kn

@twangy57 Wrote:

ditusa

I looked at the schiit tyre,but it has a input impedance of 47k.

I'am looking for something near 100k or more as Mcintosh recommends for my MX110 tuner/pre-amp

thanks

Why not buy a McIntosh Amp?

Mike

knownothing

1,667 posts

04-26-2025 at 11:58am 

@twangy57 I might suggest this:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbdfg8-audio-research-vt200-mkii-power-amplifier-silver-pre-owned-tube

I have no connection to this seller, just seems like it would fit the bill.

kn

I was looking at that one.

16 power tubes.That scares me.

How often would they need to be changed at 10hrs listing a week?

I know it's getting hard to get nice NOS el-34's for my guitar amps.

Thanks

ditusa

1,969 posts

04-26-2025 at 12:46pm 

@twangy57 Wrote:

ditusa

I looked at the schiit tyre,but it has a input impedance of 47k.

I'am looking for something near 100k or more as Mcintosh recommends for my MX110 tuner/pre-amp

thanks

Why not buy a McIntosh Amp?

Mike

Which one?

All the solid state amps have a low input impedance around 20k ohm's,which means they won't match well with my preamp's output of 40k ohm's

 If you mean tubes, which one has over 120 watts that I can get for 5000,or less?

Thanks

I’am starting to think I should maybe switch my pre-amp to a Conrad Johnson or another pre that has a lower output impedance.

I wonder why the MX110 has such a high output impedance,as the C-22 is only 220 ohm’s?

Is it a result of the FM tuner?

Lots of variables involved.

Thanks

I know you’re thinking SS, but if you consider tubes, the MC 275 would likely play nicely with the MX110. My ancient McIntosh XRT 20’s have comparable sensitivity to your new Dynaudio 360 speakers, and my 275 drives them admirably.I purchased my very low hours MK VI 275 from Audio Classics for $4999.

"100boardwalk

17 posts

04-26-2025 at 07:05pm 

I know you’re thinking SS, but if you consider tubes, the MC 275 would likely play nicely with the MX110. My ancient McIntosh XRT 20’s have comparable sensitivity to your new Dynaudio 360 speakers, and my 275 drives them admirably.I purchased my very low hours MK VI 275 from Audio Classics for $4999."

I originally planned on going tube,but from everything I have read and what people on here that have owned the Dynaudio focus 360’s have told me is,they need at lot of power and a lot of currant.

I also think with the warm nature of the mx110,my system might benefit from some clarity offered  by the right ss amp.

I have been looking at the Mcintosh amps,just need to think on it some more.

I just know some people have said these speakers seem to like at least 200 watts per channel.

Thanks

For what it is worth:

My Futtermans are notoriously fussy about load. Since I am married to the Futtermans, speaker choice comes second: find a pair that matches up to the Futtermans. 

Except that I already owned the Altec 694Cs. 

Which, coincidentally, paired up magnificently with the Futtermans. Pure luck. 

There is no such thing as 'matching' amps and speakers. All you need to worry about is power handling, since all amps are literally going to sound the same (save for tube amps).