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Beginner Audiophile. How to chose a right amp? Recommendation for my setup?

Hi

I am new to the world of audio and looking for an enjoyable stereo setup for myself.

I have chosen my next set of speakers, DAC, and a streamer, but can’t quite choose a power amp.

You don’t have to read this -->> "How do you pick a right amp for yourself? Do you consider Damping Factor? Do you match Tube DAC + Tube Amp? or Do you match Solid State + Tube Amp? for what reason? What sound do Soild State DAC/Amp + Tube DAC/Amp combos make? Are there characteristics in Amps? like in DACs? if so, what are they?"

Literally, there are just too many questions I want to ask. But, for now, I just want to listen to what you want to say, whatever is in your mind or any advise you would like to give as more experienced audiophiles when you pick a power amp.

I seek for the right components, ideal setups and match because I learned something from my very first set of audio gears I bought for this thanksgiving that I unfortunately returned a few days ago. The sound quality from Sonos Amp was hard to endure! The SVS Ultra bookshelf was great, but not quite so when it dealt with high notes.

So, I did my research this time and found my next set of audio gears.

1. Monitor Audio Gold 100 5G speaker
2. MHDT Lab Orchid DAC
3. MiniDSP SHD Ultra streamer

What I focused on during the research was to pick gears that can produce wide sound stage, great 3d imaging, airy voices, and great details with smooth yet realistic sounds.

But, I don’t have a clue how to choose a right power amp.

I can just pick a internet recommended under $ 1K power amp and be done with it. Maybe I can still be okay. But, I don’t want to just buy something without knowing anything to go through a return process again. I’d rather at least learn some basics before buying a music component, even if I end up returning something. Because I know now that I can be pretty picky on stereo sounds.

So...

Please comment anything you want to add.

Recommend me some used/new power amps + deals (under 1K ish), if you have anything in mind.

Direct me to the right direction.

Thanks.

K





yggy1
hifidream's avatar
hifidream
134 posts
 
Lots of great advice here. If you want a small amp you won’t outgrow which doubles down into 2 ohms and has a lower signal to noise ratio than most pre-amps then check out the Benchmark AHB2 used if you can find it. There are a lot of very innovative design concepts built in and I can testify to it’s capability driving my huge 4 ohm 20.1 Maggies which are very current thirsty. I’ve bought a lot of great gear used on Audiogon but the good stuff takes patience to find at decent prices. I agree with others and have passed on my philosophy to my daughter, buy it once and buy it right. I took it to the extreme and lived years with virtually nothing, stereo or TV to save for what I wanted. 
Good luck :)
gryphongryph
372 posts
 
Vincent amps sound way over their price point I am led to believe, they also use tubes in the pre section on some of their integrated amps, so you can upgrade your sound that way if so inclined.
Good hunting.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
talkskiwon OP
Beginner Audiophile. How to chose a right amp? Recommendation for my setup?

These two figures below of the Monitor Audio Gold 100 are within 1/2 an octave of each other and indicates the "need of an amp that is going to be very comfortable and not break a sweat seeing a 2ohm load".

Impedance  2.7ohm @ 3.5kHz
Negative phase –64° @ 2.4kHz

And at 84db the amp to be 100w or more amp also.

Cheers George   
mesch
3,476 posts
 
George, that was my thinking though I wasn't nearly so succinct. One positive is that these figures are not in the bass region.
Also the system is to be placed in a small room.

I do like the Vincent amps at the OPs budget. The SV-237MK is rated at 150wpc at 8 and 300 at 4ohms.
yggy1 OP
78 posts
 
mesch and gryphongryph

Thanks for bringing up the Vincent Integrated.

I was almost down for

1. MHDT Orchid DAC
2. Muzishare X7 Tube Amp (can toggle to choose 2 sound character)

but, the SV 237 MK seems like it can sound as awesome as the combo above.

Less cable management and Amazon listing are plus, too :)


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