I am considering 3 inexpensive amps to drive my recently obtained Zu Omens. My NAD c326Bee is a little warm for my taste and have decided use it for a second system in my bedroom. These 3 amps I can get between $600-$800 Musical Fidelity m2si, Music Hall a70.2, or a Naim Nait 5si. In the near future I am definitely wanting tubes, but I need a little time to study up on the matter.
I just took delivery of my Zu Omen Dirty Weekenders two weeks ago. I have tried them so far with the Class D Audio CDA 250 power amp, as well as a Prima Luna Prologue Five. I much prefer the tube Prima Luna. I am using a Musical Fidelity CD PRE 24 as a preamp.
I purchased a MF m2si and it is available for $600 new ($1000 list), which is a great deal. I have not tried the pairing yet, as I was holding on to the MF for later use. It would certainly provide you with enough power for the Omens.
If you can find a Rega Brio R that might fit the bill, as well. At $1100 new it is outside your budget, but a used first generation might be available.
I have been a loyal customer of Upscale Audio for the last 15 years. I have purchased 5 amps, 1 CD player, plus dozens of tubes from Upscale. Granted Kevin can be a character, but all my dealings with him have been fine and above board. No issues whatsoever. I also make sure to research what I am looking for, so I can have an useful conversation with him and not waste his time. I live in NYC and think nothing of ordering cross country from Kevin.
purchased a MF from upscale a few months back ..no problems at all with upscale. I also have the Zu DWs ..it was a good match and sounded fine..that said had an intermittent issue with the MF..occasionally on first start the volume would wack out...one time the speakers were vibrating pretty noticable the only solution I found was to turn the voldown after everty use and turn on /off repeat when starting up..tried a diff remote ..(the one supplied is cheap)..same issue intermittently.....I just got the Kinki EX amp so I put the MF on the shelf
Good question. Pro-ject purchased MF a few months back. I believe they said they would honor the MFs warranty. I would reach out to Pro-ject/ Sumiko here in the states.
I know you specifically asked for SS amp options, actually I think you meant integrated amps, but if you’re flexible, there’s a Rogue Sphinx hybrid integrated currently for sale and that should be another decent option. Not mine.
Rich, thanks for your response. I've narrowed my choice of integrated's to two. A Musical Fidelity 2si from Upscale for 599.00 or a Music Hall a70.2 demo from a local dealer for 750.00. Ever heard a Music Hall.. any good? Will use to power Epos Epic 2 and Zu Omen until I find a tube amp for the Zu's.
Audio Advisor still has the Nuforce STA 200 for $499. I know a few individuals who have it driving their Zu speakers, and are quite happy. Use your Nad as a preamp, or get a simple passive unit. I own 2, and I am very happy. Enjoy ! MrD.
The
Rogue Audio Sphinx V2 Integrated as has been mentioned is well worth the extra couple of dollars. Some feel that the phono stage alone is worth the price !
Will have plenty of head room for your Zu`s no doubt.
What are your sources. It is a high gain amp. I would recommend you read up on the STA 200, as well as the JOB 225 ( both designed using a Goldmund circuit, which Goldmund has been upgrading ( perfecting ) for 15 or so years, licensed out to Job and Nuforce ( now Nuprime ). Check out the reviews, as they are very useful pertaining to your question. Many users and reviewers recommend a passive unit ( the circuit was designed to be driven from a Dac ), as I am going from Dac, to passive, to amp, but many folks are using a preamp. Some have added a passive volume control between the preamp and amp, to get wider adjustments of their preamp's volume control. Hope this helps. Enjoy ! MrD.
Mr. D. I appreciate the advise. I am going to order the amp and possibly the pre-amp in the morning. The source is a MacBook Air and a Peachtree Dac-it. I also have a NAD C516BEE CD player. I assume those will be my next upgrades. My interconnects are Audioquest. Would the Parasound Zpre3 Compact Stereo Preamplifier be horrible choice? or should I stay simple as possible? (Schiit) If you have any suggestions in regards to pre-amps please let me know. Thanks again!
coachpoconnor. The Schitt is a better choice, but, you might just want to try your Nad as a preamp, as you will experience the small amount of play you would have in the volume control. The Nad will be in the ballpark of the Parasound. This will also give you time to listen to the STA 200 break in ( and it does ). I recommend leaving it on all the time, if you listen daily. As far as separates go, if you turn them off when you are done listening. the sequence would be, when turning on : preamp first, wait 60 seconds, then turn on amp. When turning off : power amp off first, wait 10 seconds ( in the case of the STA 200 ), then preamp. In the case of the Saga, you have a tube to deal with ( when in buffer mode ). My understanding is that if you are using it as a passive device, you can remove the tube, but many people like using both, or having a preference for one over the other. The remote allows you to switch between passive and tube buffer, a great feature. Enjoy ! MrD.
I built my power cords ( which was not cheap ), and over the years have tried many Dacs ( all under 1K ), and I still enjoy my modified Adcom GDA 700. In my 2nd system, I use an Audio Alchemy DDEV3.0, with a modified power supply. Upgrading your Dac's power supply would increase the dynamics, but, as it is, should have no problem driving the STA 200. Enjoy ! MrD.
I would recommend a used First Watt amp . I’ve had good luck using vintage Sansui and Marantz SS. For tubes , the Had Inspire is Outstanding . I’d also avoid pure silver Interconnects and speaker cables ( too bright ). I’ve had good luck with Anti-Cables and better results with Morrow . Cheers , Mike B.
Mr. D I received just part of your post. If you could re-send, I would appreciate it! It’s very good, and I’m sure it will get better! Listening to Diana Krall
Mr. D I received just part of your post. If you could re-send, I would appreciate it! It’s very good, and I’m sure it will get better! Listening to Diana Krall
I am glad you are liking it so far. What I said in my post ( I do not know what happened to it ) was : I was looking forward to you receiving the amp. I had a tip : Leave music playing through it for a few days straight, as it does get better. In fact, I recommend leaving it on all the time, if you listen daily. As time goes on, I will have another tweak or 2 for you. Till next time. Enjoy ! MrD.
Received the Nuforce STA200, using my NAD as a pre-amp. The detail is amazing. I’m sure it will get better in the next week. I thank Mr. D for this great suggestion. For $500 this is a hell of a deal. My next step is trying to find a good preamp. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Interested in buying a power cable for the Nuforce STA200. I have $25.00 credit at Crutchfield, is the AudioQuest power cable NRG-1 any good? Signal Cable?
The AQ NRG-1 has a C7 connector, not the IEC connector. Signal Cable is a good bet, but, there are so many. Silnote has the Poseidon GL Reference Power Cable at 75 % off, and works well with the amp. Comes in various lengths, longer = higher price. If you post this on the Cable thread, you will get many more recommendations from the A’gon community on this subject. Keep in mind, there are many discussions already on power cords, so you might just want to read through some of them. Enjoy ! MrD.
I saw your other post on pre amps. Some advice : Just slow down, listen, and take your time. Once the power cord breaks in, as the amp still is, determine, with the recordings you enjoy most, what are the attributes and deficiencies you are noticing, and give YOUR ears the benefit of time, patience, and try and enjoy. I will help and guide you in the process. I appreciate the fact that you went with my recommendations so far. But, you need to give you, and your ears, the trust in listening, and determine what it is " you " like. I hope this makes some sense. Till next time. Enjoy ! MrD.
Mr. D. I appreciate the advice. I'm trying to create a second system upstairs, using my Epos Epic 2 speakers and my NAD C326Bee and my NAD C516BEE CD player; but you are right it doesn't have to be done yesterday! FYI: My pieces that I am looking to upgrade/replace are: Preamp section of my NAD Peachtree Dac-it 2nd CD player upgrade of interconnects and power cords I also plan to update my ZU drivers That is what is on the planning board.
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