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What to feed my Paradigm Studio speakers?

I'm an aspiring Audiophile, just graduated college and started a "real" job (Elec. Engineer).

In college I bought a Denon 2805 with Paradigm Monitor speakers. I now have bought a house and replaced the Monitors with Studios which now feel "held back" by my Denon 2805. I know I could just stick with the two companies I know and just get a bigger/better Denon receiver but I'm finding my tastes going toward having really good 2ch music.

What are your suggestions on a good 2 ch amp solution for music? I don't have loads of money as I also just got married. Something tried and true, and a relative bang-for-buck champ. I don't even care if it's a 20 year old amp. Whatever will help me really enter a new world of obsession.

BTW, how did you all learn so much about speakers and names I've never even heard of? How do I follow this audiophile community when it almost seems "underground". I don't know of anywhere here in Phoenix, AZ that I can go to see/hear this stuff first hand. Do you really just have to have a audiophile friend that can show off their speakers and knowledge? I just get the feeling like Denon, Paradigm and B&W just scream "I wish I was an audiophile". Any truth to this?
davethomson

Showing 2 responses by gmood1

gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Welcome to the club!! If you want to learn more about the underground and bang for the buck gear. One word..well maybe two AudioCircle. I've discovered more goodies in 1 year there than several on Audiogon. Which seems geared more to big name stuff. Some of the best sounds to be had..are from those small companies with the designer working his butt off in the basement.:-)

Good listening!!
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
The only solid state amplifer under $500 I've heard Paradigms with that sounded nice was a Denon POA model amplifier(used $300 to $400). It will sound much better than the Denon reciever you're using now. You can use the reciever as a preamp until you decide on a seperate preamp. A tubed preamp will help. A tubed amplifier will help even more! The only one I've heard on Paradigms was a Carey v12..probably the best of all amplfiers listed here.

The Rotel amplifiers sound decent,The Odyssey Stratos and Denon were the best of the 5 solid states listed too my ears. Stay away from Adcom and Bryston unless you like hard highs, fatiguing ,dry and forward sound(just not good matches IMHO). A Class D amplifier could be another very good option for less money. Ultimately you must find out for yourself.

Have fun
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