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Amplifier for B&W 685's

post #1 of 5
6/17/11 at 2:51pm
Thread Starter 

I recently started my adventure into finer music listening and speakers with my purchase of the B&W 685s. I love the speakers, they sound so much better than anything I have ever listened to before (I have not listened to much, none of my buddies are really into audio). 

 

Anyways, I am currently powering them with a Pioneer VSX D309 A/V receiver, it is an 11 year old 5 channel A/V receiver. I feel like this is a great receiver to get my feet wet in the experience of the 685s, but I think the 685s have a lot more potential. So my question is what would be a great amplifier to unleash the 685s? I see many people like to pair their B&W's up with Rotel, Nad or marantz. I would just a stereo amp with enough beef to easily push the power hungry speakers (60w-100w). 

 

And a final question, I use my computer to play all my music. My setup is Optical out from motherboard -> Pioneer VSX D309 receiver -> B&W 685's. The DAC in the receiver sounds better than my on-board computer DAC. But using this amp, what would be the best method to connect to my computer. The only way I can think of is using a 3.5mm to RCA cord. I will get an external DAC in the future but not now. 

 

Final note: How much of an improvement in sound will I actually be seeing? I am looking to spend around $300 on the amplifier. If this seems like a silly price range for an amplifier to drive the 685s (too high or low) then let me know. Of course, the lower the price the better.

 

Thanks for all the help and input in advance!


Edited by buddyboy1 - 6/17/11 at 3:10pm
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post #2 of 5
6/18/11 at 1:37pm

im sure a new amp will give a significant improvement.  i take it demoing stuff isnt an option where you live?

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post #3 of 5
6/18/11 at 1:57pm

This is what I want for my Cambridge S30... http://www.jolida.com/product/hybrid/jd301rc It is lower wattage but it is definitely a quality amp.

 

 Also look into the Emotiva UPA-2. $350 and 125w... should be a very strong, clean amp.

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post #4 of 5
6/18/11 at 2:53pm

Most stereo receivers amps or integrated amps don't have digital outputs just analog. It's the 5 channel and 7 channel home theater receivers that have digital outputs.

So you would have to look into a 2 channel that does have digital. Or get a standalone alone DAC then run the DAC with analog to the 2 channel amp.

 

I recently got a nice speaker setup myself. I got a Marantz integrated amp PM5004 ($449)

I think it's vastly superior to things like Onkyo,Sony,Pioneer,Yamaha,and Denon.

When using one of those my speakers were disappointing soundwise but the Marantz made me quite happy with it's sound.

Maybe one of those more mass produced companies have a great sounding amp but I wasn't going to bother just went with what I know will be good and wasn't too expensive and I could afford.

 

 

 

 


Edited by mibutenma - 6/18/11 at 2:55pm
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post #5 of 5
6/19/11 at 10:37am
Just regurgitating information that I've read: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/486598/testing-audiophile-claims-and-myths
Quote:
25. Stereomojo Digital amp shootout 2007

Various amps were tested blind, in pairs where the preferred amp went through to the next round. The winner was one of the cheaper amps called the Trends Audio TA-10 at $130, which is the tiny one on the top right of the pile

http://www.stereomojo.com/SHOOTOUT2007INTEGRATEDS.htm
In my opinion, amp upgrades are only necessary when you require more volume. People say various amps will flavor the sound to be bright or warm, but I've never noticed a difference (of course I'm no expert).
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