Suggestions for an amp


It has been suggested that I should look at a different amp to get the best sound out of my speakers. 
I have a Yamaha Aventage RX-A830. Front speakers are Monitor Audio Silver 8. 
I am mostly interested in something to provide the best sound while listening to music but also be decent for HT. I have an Orbit with a Grado Black 1 cartridge for vinyl. 
I am not looking at spending a ton of money and will definitely consider used (I am looking at several on this site). 
Many thanks!
granburyspring

Showing 5 responses by soix

If you dare, please let us know whatever you decide and how it works out. 
"Even though the Hegel seems to be a very good deal at $1600...it is simply more than I planned on spending at this time."

HA HA HA HAAAAAA!!!  Dude, you're at ground zero of "more than I planned on spending" here.  People should have to sign a waiver about spending more than they want before even being allowed to enter this site. 

Inline with that, we're not subtly pushing you toward the Hegel here mainly because it's a significant step up from everything else you're considering, and your speakers are good enough to let you enjoy the benefits of that.  Yeah it may be a few hundred dollars or more than some other options you're considering, but you're getting a helluva return on that relatively small incremental cash outlay.  Honestly, are the incremental hundreds going to impinge on your life that much?

Anyway, if you're hell bent on resisting our best efforts, of the other options you're considering I'd go with the Outlaw RR2160.  It's a relatively refined piece for the price, and it offers a HT bypass, DAC, and phono input -- all of which you'd seem to be able to make use of (the Azur has neither a DAC nor phono input).  And it's 800 bucks cheaper than the H160 here.  All I can say is you better have something pretty damn awesome to do with that $800 because you're leaving a boatload of audio performance on the table IMHO. 

Sorry for being so wishy washy and indirect here, but there it is.  Best of luck in whatever you choose. 
As the other guys are alluding to, you probably want something more than the Marantz.  The Silver 8s drop to 3.5 Ohms in the midrange, which is not uncommon, but the P8006 puts out 70wpc and only rises to 100wpc into 4 Ohms indicating the power supply is probably not be up to driving your speakers fully.  It only weighs 26 pounds, so these limitations make sense.  By contrast, the Hegel weighs 42 pounds and puts out 150wpc into 8 Ohms and 250 into 4 that your Silver 8s could surely make good use of.  $1600 is a very nice deal on this amp, and you'll thank us once you hear it with your speakers.  
I assume this setup is also a home theater rig?  Your speakers demand more than a HT receiver, PERIOD.  My recommendation would be to buy an integrated amplifier with a home theater bypass so you can continue to use your receiver for surround stuff but only have the stereo integrated in the loop when listening to more critical 2-channel recordings.  You change between HT and stereo with the push of one button (yes, you heard me right -- one button).  I'd HIGHLY recommend you stick a crowbar in your wallet and buy the Hegel H160 available used here now for $1600 (retail new is $3500).  You seriously won't believe how good your Silver 8s will sound, and you can go on right ahead using your RXA830 for HT.  Don't let the potential of your excellent MA speakers largely go to waste with another AVR.