Understand. Thanks.
Amp upgrade advice
I am looking to upgrade the amplifiers in 2 of my systems and could really use some advice from experience audiophiles. I’ve laid out the current systems in my office and kitchen below. I am happy with the pre-amps and speakers in both rooms. They are both augmented by subwoofers. I am interested in upgrading the Amps. I’ve listed the amps I currently have. I’m planning to sell thee current Adcom’s to fund upgrades with a few extra dollars. My research is pointing me to the B&K Reference 125.2 amp. Both rooms are smaller with smaller speakers so I am thinking quality Amps rated at 125 W should be plenty.
I am asking for your advice: Am I on the right track?
Office. (12’ x 12’ Closed room)
Pre-Amp. Emotiva BAS X PT-100
Speakers Definitive Tech SM350
Kitchen ( 10’ x 20’. With one open side)
Pre- Amp. Emotiva UMC-200
Speakers Paradigm Reference Millenia One
Amp’s to sell?
Adcom GFA-555 MKII
Adcom GFA-545 MKII
Looking at B&K Reference 125.2
Thank you for any advice.
I am asking for your advice: Am I on the right track?
Office. (12’ x 12’ Closed room)
Pre-Amp. Emotiva BAS X PT-100
Speakers Definitive Tech SM350
Kitchen ( 10’ x 20’. With one open side)
Pre- Amp. Emotiva UMC-200
Speakers Paradigm Reference Millenia One
Amp’s to sell?
Adcom GFA-555 MKII
Adcom GFA-545 MKII
Looking at B&K Reference 125.2
Thank you for any advice.
23 responses Add your response
this is a strange question to ask IMO. Would you marry a girl that you've never seen and talk to ? Then , why buy an AMP that you've never listen to ? I've sold many amps in my life and as much as I hated the Yamaha amp, some people would just buy these amps. We had some high grade stuff, like B&O, Mission, Quad, ( mostly British stuff) but to please the crowd we had to sell those damn Yamaha. So who can tell you that you would like this type of amp instead of another one. Shopping is a great pass time, so go listen to what they have and make your choice based on what your ears will tell you. My 2 cents. |
I purchased a Nuforce STA 200 in April, just to play around, at the close out price. Found a power cord in my collection that works well ( sounds good ). Having owned many amplifiers in my lifetime, let me tell you something. This amp is pretty amazing. My only issue is a tiny bit of hum and noise out of my Klipsch Lascalas, as, this amp is very high gain. |
the Emotiva amps are an option, but they will be bright/harsh unless you upgrade the fuses to something like an Isoclean. The Isoclean is a warm fuse that tames the harshness of the Emotiva. Right off the bat, if the overall tonal character of the amp is not good enough stock from factory, avoid it. Knowing you have to change a fuse prior to purchase to make harshness go away is not a good sign (however one man's harshness may be another man's silk). Get the best sounding amp for your budget and system then you can teak away afterward. |
I used to have an Adcom 545 and a B&K 200.5 multi-channel. The Adcom was a very early amp and I ended up not being impressed with it at all. It was okay, but it was warm sounding and very dirty (not clean at all). The B&K had tons of current and sounded great. They had great slam, power and impact! I think it’s significantly better than the Adcom, but after a few years I felt it was still too warm for me. If you like the warm sonic signature, the B&K is a great option. If you want something faster and cleaner, the Emotiva amps are an option, but they will be bright/harsh unless you upgrade the fuses to something like an Isoclean. The Isoclean is a warm fuse that tames the harshness of the Emotiva. Parasound is a good choice. If you can swing for a Parasound A23, do it. They are expensive, but worth it. |
B&K amps seemed dark to me, you're coming from listening to adcom power as I did years ago you will likely find the same thing and be disappointed like I was. Look at ATI or other newer amps from them like Outlaw or Monoprice, or amps like Anthem and Bryston. Of course you can spend more but it comes down to personal taste. Parasound is a good middle ground in sound between your Adcoms and the B&K you're looking at. Maybe 1 Anthem for one room and 1 Parasound for the other? |
Hi, Look into Odyssey. Decent quality for not a lot of money. W4S maybe too. Butler. Paragon. Everything matters. Its meaningless for me or anyone else to say to you, do this or do that. Unless, of course, you want someone to. Everything matters. How much any one of your outfits matters to you will point you towards which rig needs more this or better that, first. For myself, non irritating sounds in exterraneous casual rooms would be sufficient. But that’s just me. Maybe consider adding a passive PLC onto the one rig you listen to most. Then perhaps try a new PC on the source or what ever amp arrives. I think every rig begins with the source, but hold fast to the idea everything matters. One does have to consider what if for later on too when calculating a new purchase. Have fun. |
One more thought for anyone interested in weighing in. What is the weakest point of my system: Emotiva BASX PT-100 PreAmp Def Tech SM350 Speakers Schiit Vidar or NuForce STA-200. (tbd) Amp wiring is quality interconnects and 12 gauge 99+% copper speaker cable with banana post connections. Keep in mind this is a home office closed in at 12’ X 12’ space. Sources vary from Rega Turntable to Apple TV or Amazon Fire streaming HD digital content. Greatly appreciate any experienced input. |
Thanks all for the great input. Lots of new tech for me to research. Last question to anyone reading this. Is 100 or even 80 wpc enough to fully handle Def Tech 350’s or Paradigm Millenia One’s? Both are rated at 8 Ohms and not really efficient even though they are small. Im after the best possible sound quality on these speakers at a reasonable budget. I don’t want to short change them. Thanks. |
The Nuforce is the deal of the year and it does not get very hot. The review of the Vidar seemed quite "unenthusiastic" over at Computer audiophile. I would stay away from the Emotiva stuff myself. For no particular reason. You'll basically have a paper weight when you go sell it down the road. http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/optoma-nuforce-sta200-power-amplifier/ https://www.computeraudiophile.com/ca/reviews/schiit-audio-reference-system-review-part-1-r676/ |