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looking for a speaker amp..

post #1 of 15
11/21/06 at 12:16am
Thread Starter 
I broke up my system in the summer to raise funds for a motorcycle, and now in the off season I'm really missing having a nice stereo system to listen to. My rig right now is an Eastsound CD-5 for a source, and a pair of very old telefunken speakers and integrated amp. The amp is really showing its age with a channel imbalance and distortion at higher volumes. I wanted to get a new amp to try and revive this setup, as I recall the speakers did sound pretty decent with my tubed monoblocks.

I'd really like a solid state amp this time for convience and reliablity. I've been out of the market for awhile and haven't kept up with the new releases. I was impressed by the sonic T-amp when it first came out, and attempted to use one with these telefunken speakers, but they are acoustic reflex/closed, with a pretty low efficiency so it just didn't work. I'd love to be able to find something i n the digital department for around $600 that has a remote. (I do have a passive preamp in the form of a 100k stepped attuenator if need be) Is there anything out there in the price range I'm looking at? I am hoping for 50W or more.
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post #2 of 15
11/21/06 at 3:24am
I don't have all the details, but Flying Mole, a Japanese company, has new digital amps out that sound right up your alley - except I think they cost just a tad more than $600 for a pair. Continuous power is around 30-50w but they bill them as 160w/4ohm amps.

Sometimes you can grab a 150w/8ohm Odyssey Stratos on audiogon for under $600, but you'll need to make use of your passive pre.
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post #3 of 15
11/21/06 at 11:27am
Maybe you can try Dared MP-5. Many people here use it as a headphone amp, but it can drive speakers and get the job well done. It is $300+ shipped in eBay.
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post #4 of 15
11/21/06 at 11:45am
If you want digital amplification with remote control at reasonable cost, it is hard to beat the Panasonic SA-XR55S at a street price of about $220, or it's big brother, the SA-XR70S at a street of about $310.

Even though they are receivers with 6.1 sound, they have true two channel mode for stereo audio, and have gotten good reviews. Note that this is a second hand recommendation - I do not own either - but have heard in sound room of dealer, and am tempted to pick up the 70 for a second system

Good luck.
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post #5 of 15
11/21/06 at 12:24pm
I agree with Gene's recommendation of going with a digitial HT receiver, although I prefer the sound of JVC digital receivers over the Pannys myself (not all digital amps sound alike).

The beauty of digital amps is their terrific value. The $$::Performance ratio is simply awesome. And their built-in DAC's aren't bad either. This refurbed JVC on eCost is just insane. I owned one of these, and still own an older JVC digital receiver and find them both great even at their regular prices. The USB connection on the newer model is a terrific feature too. I don't think you can go wrong with it.

Unless someone is hellbent on seeing glowing tubes in their rack, then digital amps are the future, imo. You don't have to spend $600 to get something decent.
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post #6 of 15
11/21/06 at 12:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpelg View Post
I agree with Gene's recommendation of going with a digitial HT receiver, although I prefer the sound of JVC digital receivers over the Pannys myself (not all digital amps sound alike).
Jimmy ... I've not heard the JVCs, but would follow most any recommendation you make. Can you characterize the differences between the brands?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpelg
This refurbed JVC on eCost is just insane.
$79. ?!?!?!?!?! That is insane How can one not buy one for that price?
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post #7 of 15
11/21/06 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by agile_one View Post
Can you characterize the differences between the brands?
JVC's have a warmer, more natural sound signature. Work sublimely with AKG K1000's. Panny's are brighter, slightly metallic (although some may say more detailed?). All IMO, of course.

I'd think that synergy with your particular speakers would be important in choosing which way you would go. I'm not familiar with the Telefunkens the OP mentioned.
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post #8 of 15
11/21/06 at 2:30pm
Check out Bryston.
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post #9 of 15
11/21/06 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for all the replies guys. I will check them out.

ooheadsoo-yes i've heard of the flying mole and that was the first thing that came to mind when I started thinking of cheap digital amps. I know a dealer in town that used to stock them too so I will give them a call.
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post #10 of 15
11/21/06 at 6:12pm
Check out Odyssey also.
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post #11 of 15
11/21/06 at 8:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpelg View Post
JVC's have a warmer, more natural sound signature. Work sublimely with AKG K1000's. Panny's are brighter, slightly metallic (although some may say more detailed?). All IMO, of course.

I'd think that synergy with your particular speakers would be important in choosing which way you would go. I'm not familiar with the Telefunkens the OP mentioned.
mind me asking if you use your panny with speakers as well? In the future I hope to upgrade to proper speakers again too. Will the recievers keep up? What I'm concerned about is they aren't audiophile specific, I'd rather have an amp that will do what I need instead of what I want and 5 other things (like dolby stuff).
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post #12 of 15
11/21/06 at 10:29pm
I'm not jpelg, but the panny digitals have been used to drive very large arrays of drivers such as the VMPS RM40 in the past without running out of steam and many people enjoyed its sound. Now, being the twitcho audiophiles that we all are and having disposable income, I have no doubt many of them upgraded, but it is my personal inclination that room acoustics will help you out more than changing the amp in most scenarios. I have both a JVC digital amp and a el cheapo receiver using the same Texas Instruments tech that the Panasonic does in their receiver. Both sound fine, nothing wrong with them. The JVC is definitely much warmer, and the early model had a fan that bugged me since I sat with my ears 2 feet away from it at the time. Not sure about the current models, or the refurb unit posted by jpelg. It is handy to have the remote, that's for sure. And you can always save it for your future HT when you upgrade.

I would have to place acoustic related matters much higher in priority over improving electronics that are "good enough." Unfortunately, room issues are much more difficult and often more expensive to handle.
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post #13 of 15
11/21/06 at 10:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pne View Post
mind me asking if you use your panny with speakers as well?
I don't own the Panasonic. I use my JVC currently with speakers, and it has plenty of power (although they are probably an easier load than the AKG's !).

Don't be misled into thinking you have to get an audiophile-approved piece of kit. It's about the sound, and even formerly devout tube heads are seeing the light and coming over to the digital side. Don't worry that your amp can do 7.1 in a home theatre if it had to. It'll work in stereo mode just as well

Oh, and I agree with ooheadsoo on all points.
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post #14 of 15
11/21/06 at 11:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ooheadsoo View Post
I'm not jpelg, but the panny digitals have been used to drive very large arrays of drivers such as the VMPS RM40 in the past without running out of steam and many people enjoyed its sound. Now, being the twitcho audiophiles that we all are and having disposable income, I have no doubt many of them upgraded, but it is my personal inclination that room acoustics will help you out more than changing the amp in most scenarios. I have both a JVC digital amp and a el cheapo receiver using the same Texas Instruments tech that the Panasonic does in their receiver. Both sound fine, nothing wrong with them. The JVC is definitely much warmer, and the early model had a fan that bugged me since I sat with my ears 2 feet away from it at the time. Not sure about the current models, or the refurb unit posted by jpelg. It is handy to have the remote, that's for sure. And you can always save it for your future HT when you upgrade.

I would have to place acoustic related matters much higher in priority over improving electronics that are "good enough." Unfortunately, room issues are much more difficult and often more expensive to handle.
i completely agree, and I put a lot more effort than most when tackling room issues as well. I have had some luck with a small budget but perhaps some tact equipment is due in the far future. Maybe a large electronics store will sell these receivers and I can buy it and return it if it doesn't sound good..?


jpelg-I agree, tubes are just far too much hassle for me to deal with which is why I wanted to come back over to SS.

Haven't come into this subforum in a long time but I recognize you both having given me advice on speakers and amps before, so a big thank you to you two!
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post #15 of 15
11/22/06 at 1:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpelg View Post
JVC's have a warmer, more natural sound signature. Work sublimely with AKG K1000's. Panny's are brighter, slightly metallic (although some may say more detailed?). All IMO, of course.

I'd think that synergy with your particular speakers would be important in choosing which way you would go. I'm not familiar with the Telefunkens the OP mentioned.
Okay. I just picked up your recommendation to try with my K1000s, even if it's a meantime solution, it's better than the nothing I have now...and $79...I've spent more on dinner.
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