Stereophile reviews the Schiit audio Ragnarok 2 integrated amplifier.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/schiit-audio-ragnarok-2-integrated-amplifier
A decent integrated amp under 2K ...
I'm looking for an INTEGRATED AMP. My speakers are Altec 620A (100 db efficiency) and my listening room is 14 x 21. I mainly listen to digital files from my DAC (Metrum) but sometimes I feel less lazy and put on a vinyl on my Garrard. I don't need a phono stage, I use the one from another integrated amplifier (Spendor D40). Here's my shortlist:
1) Belles Aria Integrated (slightly powerful for my needs)
2) Croft phono integrated (since I don't need a phono stage, I think it's a shame to burn tubes for nothing)
3) Rogue Sphinx V3 (too powerful for my needs)
FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS: I can live with tubes but only in the PREAMP section and I try to avoid Class A due to the heat. I'm open to Class D (proof: the Rogue) but the choice is limited and these devices come with a bunch of stuff I don't need. I rather spend my $ where it will make a difference.
regards
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- 109 posts total
@ditusa : thanks for considering my requirements before making a suggestion ... much appreciated ... i had thought about Schiit before and had given up on the idea i cant remember why so i went to read more .. . several criteria play in its favor, in particular its flexibility and its low wattage ... on the other hand, it has a class A output for headphones and I try to avoid class A because of the heat emitted ... Another "detail", Schitt Audio does not give precise data on electricity consumption and it is a very important measure for me ... it only says : "Power Consumption: 500W maximum ". |
Hi, Listen the V-fet amps, really better than other SS, "tube like" sound, courbes similar to 300b triode. Pass first watt SIT (2x 15 watts) Sony ta-4650 (vintage 2x 30 watts) I compared these two amps with my focal 907be speakers, similar sound, very natural, the sony was better with sensibility 89db. I also compared with yamaha as-2000, much power, but no sensations, no emotion, no smile, nothing !!! Really better than El34 PP to a friend, it's incomparable ! Now, I use the Sony with a preamp tubes (2x mullard CV4024, 2x rayton baldwin 12ax7 grey plates) Oh my god, the sound is fabulous, very clear and transparent but no stress !
Sorry for my langage, i'm french... |
@pr : merci pour votre suggestion... je sais que les amplis en class A sonnent mieux que les transistors et qu'ils rivalisent même avec les tubes... par contre, ils chauffent beaucoup et je ne peux me permettre d'avoir un ampli qui chauffe à ce point pendant les mois d'été... je n'ai pas l'air climatisé et ça monte souvent à 31 degrés chez moi durant les mois chauds... merci d'avoir pris le temps de me répondre... au plaisir... |
Just to be clear: All class AB solid state amplifiers run in class A to a point. Case in point the Schiit Ragnarok 2 runs class A for one watt and class B for 59 watts @ 8 Ohm. In my system the Ragnarok 2 amp generates less heat then my 20 watt class A mono block amps. Also,500 watts maximum power consumption from the wall socket is when the Ragnarok 2 is running @ maximum output power 60 watts @ 8 Ohms and 100 watts @ 4 Ohms. But when the Ragnarok 2 is outputting 3 or 4 watts into your speakers that power consumption from the wall socket I think will be very very low. FWIW, The Ragnarok 2 sounds great in my rig. My speakers efficiency is 2.7% @ 8 Ohms. My room is 13'x25'x 9'. The only way you will know how it sounds is to try it in your system. If you do not like it return it back to Schiit. Hope that helps. Mike |
- 109 posts total