Matching a amplifier to speakers

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.

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

@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. 

Are you looking for new or used?

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.

Musical Fidelity pair well with Dynaudio.

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

jasonbourne71

Thanks,I will check them out.

Coda for sure!

@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

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

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

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. 

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

kofibaffour

First time I’ve heard of those.

I will see what their about.

Thanks

ditusa

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

Thanks

@twangy57 two of this - Buckeye PURIFI 1ET9040BA Monoblock

@twangy57 Wrote:

 

Matching a amplifier to speakers

The new to me speakers are Dynaudio Focus 360’s

Schiit Tyr mono amps $1599 each. 

Mike

ghdprentice

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

I just put it on the list.

Thanks

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.