22906
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2005
- Posts
- 385
- Likes
- 12
My system is going through a radical change; I am going to purchase a Pico to use as a DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amp and I am now thinking about what to use as a power amp for a reasonable price (<$450). I am considering two options:
1. Gainclone
2. AMB Beta-22
I would have to contract someone else to build these for me since I can't build amps. I'd probably end up spending around $500 for an assembled Beta-22.
Beta-22 could also double as a headphone amp, taking that load off the Pico.
Beta-22 has much better measured performance than Gainclone. I'll save some money getting a Gainclone but I'm worried that later on I'll want to upgrade anyway. Or, I might want to upgrade my DAC before amp upgrade, which means that the money saved by getting a Gainclone might be useful. But if I upgrade my DAC i'll be needing a volume control on the Amp side now, because Pico has integrated volume control. All of this is causing me some anxiety. Anyone have any opinions?
1. Gainclone
2. AMB Beta-22
I would have to contract someone else to build these for me since I can't build amps. I'd probably end up spending around $500 for an assembled Beta-22.
Beta-22 could also double as a headphone amp, taking that load off the Pico.
Beta-22 has much better measured performance than Gainclone. I'll save some money getting a Gainclone but I'm worried that later on I'll want to upgrade anyway. Or, I might want to upgrade my DAC before amp upgrade, which means that the money saved by getting a Gainclone might be useful. But if I upgrade my DAC i'll be needing a volume control on the Amp side now, because Pico has integrated volume control. All of this is causing me some anxiety. Anyone have any opinions?
