Matching a amplifier to speakers


Hello.

I had a thread a while back on picking a amp for my system.

It was suggested that I pick my speakers first as to not make a costly error.

I ’am back now that I have bought a set of speakers.

Just to reiterate my currant modest system is as follows,

Auralic Vega g1 streamer/dac

Rega p6 turntable with exact cartridge

Nackimichi CD player

McIntosh MX110 tuner/preamp

Adcom GFA-545 power amp

My currant speakers are Polk M10’s

The new to me speakers are Dynaudio Focus 360’s

I listen to 70% rock,pop,and blues and 30% jazz and classical

My listening space is 13x20 

My budget is 5000 or less.

I have read that these speakers need a lot of currant and a good amount of watts to sound there best.

I would like to go ss if possible,as my preamp is fairly warm sounding,but I’am open to suggestions.

Since I have been looking at audio gear and buying a couple new items,I have tried to re-evaluate my listing habits and goals.

I have a general habit of starting each listening session with a known favorite at modest volume,and see where that takes me.

Sometimes I do get inspired to crank some loud rock for maybe 20 minutes,and then return to regular programming.

Since getting tidal and a streamer,I have rediscovered the joy’s of exploring unfamiliar territories.

I say this to try to express my need to have a amplifier that can do rock,yet have the ability to check out new styles with clarity,and accuracy required.

I know it would be a good idea to go to a bunch of audio shops and shows ,but I'am probably not going to do that .

I will most likely narrow it down to a couple,then go check them out.

Thank you.

 

 

 

twangy57

Showing 1 response by petaluman

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.