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Please tutor me on some integrated amp basics.

I’ve recently purchased Magico A3 speakers and a VPI Classic 2 SE turntable with an Ortofon Black 2M moving magnet cartridge. I have a Marantz SA 8005 CD/SACD player to play the few (maybe a hundred or so) CD’s in my possession.
I’ve mostly vinyl albums and no streaming sources. I’m next going to upgrade my old amp/preamp purchased back in the late 70’s with a new, probably integrated, one and am starting to do some research.

Here’s where I need some tutoring. A lot has changed since the seventies with the advent of digital technology. As well as I need to learn more about amplification components in the high end of audio technology. I keep running across terms I don’t understand. I’ll give you a list and if someone would be kind enough to explain these basics I’d be obliged.

For instance I was reading about the Hegel H360 integrated amp that Magico’s Alon Wolf recommended for their A3’s. The review mentioned they were a Class A/B amp, another person commented Class A’s were better, and a third person said he didn’t care for Class D amps. What do these classes signify? 

A second question is about DACs. I generally understand their purpose of the DAC, converting a digital to an analog signal. However my only digital device, the Marantz SA 8005 already has a DAC, ostensibly of good quality. The turntable ’s Ortofon cartridge would not need to play through a DAC, I presume. Would I bypass the CD’s players DAC if I purchase the higher quality Hegel H360 integrated amp?. Or could I find an equivalent integrated amp without an integral DAC?

On the other side of the equation I understand the turntable’s cartridge cannot play through the Hegel without first going through a phono stage. My old Phase Linear 4000 preamp you just plugged the turntables RCA cables into the back of the preamp and you were done. What’s that about? Do they make equivalent integrated amps to the Hegel H360 with integrated phono stages already in place, so I can just plug my turntable in as I’ve been able to do before. The amps don’t seem to be well integrated at all if you have to add a pricey phono stage to make them work, and end up having an extra DAC. That’s just me whining.

Third question is what are monoblocks, how are they used, and what are their advantages to a system? They were used at one of my speaker auditions.

I figured out the answer to what amplifier damping was myself, so I’m sparing you that one, but what does the term impedance mean? I keep coming across that.

Thank goodness I don’t have to figure out the cabling nightmare yet. Thanks for any help.

Mike
skyscraper
inna
7,296 posts
 
Gryphon Diablo 300 would probably be spectacular with your speakers but it is $16.5k plus $2.3k for the optional phono stage, plus $4.5k for the optional DAC.
I understand, you will be looking to buy new or maybe demo, not used.
Gryphon’s phono stages are great, both built-in and separate components. DACs too.
There is also German T+A, not familiar with them, and many other mostly European brands, especially Swiss and Italian.
Monoblocks are power amps only, one for each channel. Other things being equal, monoblocks are always better than stereo power amp, that’s one box for both channels.
Anyway, to play vinyl you need a phono stage, line stage preamplifier and power amplifier. All separate components or all in one box or in-between.
I doubt there is currently overall better transistor integrated amp than Diablo 300, just different. Few can compete, very few.
Post removed 
skyscraper OP
829 posts
 
Thanks inna for explaining what monoblocks are. $5000 to $6000 max will really be my upper limit, unfortunately ruling out the Gryphon Diablos. And yes I'm only looking to purchase new equipment.

I'm not really looking for integrated amp recommendations at this point, only to have a better understanding of what's involved with these amps when I read their reviews. It should get clear eventually if I read enough.

I really don't want a lot of unnecessary technology I'll never use. A simple integrated amp in my price range, that I could plug my turntable and CD player directly into, and that would mesh well with my Magico A3's would be perfect. 

Mike  



georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
skyscraper OP
I’m not really looking for integrated amp recommendations at this point
Well if that’s the case and not Halo Hint 6 intergrated, then have a listen to the new John Curl designed Halo JC 5 poweramp, also has everything you need for those current hungry Magico’s, and you know it’s going to be great value coming from Parasound.
http://www.parasound.com/jc5.php

Cheers George
2psyop's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
2psyop
1,574 posts
 
George mentioned a really good amp already, Parasound Hint, John Curl design. Another choice is the Modwright KWI, which is a beast, has tremendous design and is beautiful IMHO. A third choice, I don’t know if it is still being made, but I would not hesitate buying used is the Musical Fidelity M6 500i. A dual mono integrated that I have heard and has the power for demanding speakers. Mono amps are preferrable but one needs the space and that choice is uber expensive. Plus the WAF (wife acceptance factor) is not very good.
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