Off topic, but curious if 12 pairs of jc has any significance
12 disciples maybe?
Need help choosing my first amp for my first speakers
Hi, I am completely new to this world of hi-fi audio and I would like some help from the collective intelligence. Please bear with me even if I sound like someone who has no idea because I am.
I have just purchased my first set of speakers. I bought a used Boenicke W5 SE+. And I am looking for an amp to go with it. The speakers were a good deal but still not cheap and Im already mostly hitting my budget limit.
I don't have any gear right now (I really mean 0), so my initial thought was to buy a Wiim amp to start off and then start changing to a more serious amp later on. (I like that it has everything including a streamer for me to get going right away)
So my questions are
1. will the Wiim amp be able to power Boenicke W5 SE+?
2. What do you think of the plan to start with all integrated cheap amp and then changing later?
2. Any other amp suggestions for the speakers in a similar price range?($500 ish)
3. Can I just get Audio cables from Amazon?
4. How do you calculate wattage for the speakers from the speaker specs below?
5. Any other tips for a complete beginner would be appreciated.
Specs for Wiim Amp
https://wiimhome.com/wiimamp/specs
Specs for Boenicke W5 SE+
-
Sensitivity: 83-86 dB / watt / m depending on frequency
Nom. impedance: 4 ohms
Weight: 3.5 kg / piece (speaker only)
Thanks for all the help!
posted this in the wrong conversation To get listening, while you search for a good deal, $135. amazon 30 day return, a no risk trial 120 wpc/4ohms has dac has sub out, to self powered sub(s), takes the bass load away from your inefficient mains find a good deal on something you really want: watch hifishark ’first seen, new first’ check every day, bang! keep fosi for garage system .... give it away. btw: listen; buy a returnable sub(s): which sounds better? keep or return sub(s). I never knew it existed, certainly not heard one, a surprising review. |
An audio chain usually consists of a source (turntable, digital DAC, FM tuner, tape), preamplifier (sometimes optional), amplifier, speakers. An “integrated” amp has both a preamp+amp, and sometimes includes a DAC, streamer, phono stage (phono preamp). If a digital source, you’ll need a streamer, a DAC, and a digital file source (CD/SACD disc, Tidal, Qobuz). Analog you’ll need a turntable, tonearm, cartridge, and a phono preamp. Cabling we’d usually suggest at least replacing stock power cords with quality cabling at least to the level from Blue Jeans or Audio Envy, but may be outside of your budget. Speaker efficiency determines the amount of amplification required by the amplifier. Each 3db of change means a doubling of sound pressure. You can learn more about it here. Average speakers are somewhat 87-low90s db, and efficient ones above that. Unfortunately your speakers are less efficient and thus requires more power to drive which may include ample current needs also. $500 is a very small amount, not much available at this price point, doubtful if you can get beyond box store sonics. TAS (The Absolute Sound) annual list starts at $800 and goes to $150,000. I doubt at this budget you’d get anything high end sounding. Quality internal parts cost money, especially quality transformers. Maybe if you can get your budget up something like a used Hegel integrated so you can hear what your speakers can do with quality amplification. +1 the book “The Complete Guide to High/End Audio” by Robert Harley (editor in chief for The Absolute Sound magazine. It’s like an illustrated detailed encyclopedia - no other publication comes close |
Thank you all for your kind expertise on this matter. I am glad that I asked here so that I don't do anything to damage the speakers (I would rather wait then to damage them). I will look into all of the options posted in the thread. I will listen 90% from streaming and 10% from LP. My room size is 16’ x 10’ - and one of the 10’ walls is an open side to the kitchen for another 10’ x 12'. I will not be blasting music, since I have neighbors in my apartment building.
Would anything like this not work on my speakers because it is only 100w for 4 ohms? This is over my budget, but I still want to understand and learn. |
It will work but it’s still underpowered for your speakers. Something like this would likely be a better match for your speakers both sonically and because it puts out 150/270Wpc into 8/4 Ohms, respectively. This is an amp that will let your speakers give you much more of what they’re capable of and that you could probably live with pretty happily until you can afford something significantly better. |