2. amps-preamps
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Your thoughts on my plans..

After reading through some of the forums, I might be a bit under developed for this forum, but I was invited after buying a Era Gold mk.V with PSU1..

I am setting up my first phono system and the only real experience I have is many decades ago with my fathers technics ?? turntable and Teac amplifier.
I have some disposable income, but am not wealthy and didn’t want to spend a fortune to break into this world right away.. I think I’ll likely inherit some of my dad’s record collection - but I’ll also be buying newer albums to listen to. My music taste is fairly eclectic with more emphasis on country (think Chris Stapleton / Eric Church) and folk (think Mumford & Sons / Lumineers).

I have purchased a Pro-Ject X1, GSP Era Gold mk. V with PSU1 and Martin Logan Motion 40 speakers.. i plan to amp through either my Sonos Amp (125w/ch) or my Yamaha A1010 AVR (110w/ch)...first choice being Sonos so I can also stream to other speakers around the home...although I’m open to buying a dedicated amp and if neither of these do sonic justice. Besides the two amplifiers, I’m still waiting on all to be delivered..
I’ve read through the forum a little tonight and feel my system is undeserving of being here, but thought some of you might have an opinion on my choices so far and if you think I’ve made any poor life choices so far.
kintama21

Showing 7 responses by kintama21

kintama21 OP
7 posts
 
Thanks all!! Maybe I had one too many whisky last night when I wrote ‘undeserving’!  I read it again today and thought that I sounded a bit self loathing, when I really shouldn’t be having just purchased and not received anything.. 

I do appreciate the words of encouragement and will definitely hook both amps up and give a good listen before making any decisions. I have a friend who is a manager at the Best Buy Magnolia, so I can easily get some other amps to audition... he thinks the Sonos Amp is better spec’d as a dedicated two channel amplifier than the AVR... we will see.
kintama21 OP
7 posts
 
Thick skin, check!! I’m pretty snarky and believe you get what you give...so I’m used to a quick jab here and there!

The ML Motion 40s are 4 ohm speakers, so both of the amplifiers I already have are in the 225-250w range at 4 ohm loads. 
A review of the AVR at audioholics shows the “RX-A1010...into 1 or 2 channels driven into 4-ohm loads producing in excess of 260wpc. Yamaha specs the RX-A1010 as being able to deliver 210wpc dynamically into a 4-ohm load. I would say that is rather conservative given my measurement results using the CEA 2006 burst test.”
With the AVR I can bi-amp using the second zone (and setting the receiver up for it in the GUI)...I have some options and if these don’t work out I can always buy a dedicated 2ch power amp with my tax return. 😜
kintama21 OP
7 posts
 
Good point about the ohm load, thanks for bringing that up. I’m not using the AVR for anything at the moment- it is in a box in the closet and the home theater speakers were built in at the home I sold..I went full Sonos for the TV room where I’m living now. I can always sell it and recoup some of the cost of a high quality 2ch. If the Sonos Amp doesn’t work out it’ll be relegated to driving outdoor speakers... 
kintama21 OP
7 posts
 
One thing I’m struggling to find is: are the ML Motion 40s 4 ohm nominal impedance rating due to 4 ohm drivers or if the drivers are 8 ohm and the 4 ohm rating comes from the bi-wired terminals which would be two 8 ohm speakers run in parallel from the same amp channel? 

I may have to call Martin Logan to ask that question..

Sonos states it’s okay to run two 8 ohm speakers from each channel, but not to connect a speaker at or below 4 ohms. (Seems to contradict the Amp rating - but I’m not knowledgeable on the math of this)

I’m window shopping for a short list of dedicated 2ch amps now. ;)
kintama21 OP
7 posts
 
Newbie question.. I don’t feel I need an “integrated amp” with multiple inputs. With the GSP Era Gold I definitely don’t need a phono stage..  If I buy a power amplifier, how do I adjust volume? Something like the Parasound A23+ meets my power requirement but doesn’t seem to have a volume control. 
kintama21 OP
7 posts
 
Smrex13, I understand what you are saying - but I already have a good phono preamp and do not need any other inputs that a dedicated preamp provides in addition to volume control. Searching more, I found reference to a Nobsound volume controller for less than $50 on amazon. 

Right now I am connected to my Sonos Amp and it actually sounds pretty good for vinyl playback...I’m going to let everything break-in with the Sonos and then have a friend bring me some other Amps before making any expensive moves. ;)
kintama21 OP
7 posts
 
Just an update - the Sonos Amp is actually really good at amplifying the music I like through the ML Motion 40s. With the entire setup the way it is, I’m more interested in how room acoustic treatment will improve bass and upper frequency reflection/refraction than any improvement in sound from amplification. My GIK products should be built/delivered next month!! Thanks to all who provided useful and objective advise!!
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