2. amps-preamps
  3. 138740-118236

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
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skyscraper OP
829 posts
 
2psyop, I'm really concerned with the quality control there and would feel like a fool if I went to that well again and ended up with more Chinese junk, especially at such high price points. I am very often disturbed by Chinese products breaking down at home, everything from electronics to plumbing parts.

On the social conscience end of it, you know Chinese products are so cheap because their employees are paid so little. They don't have labor unions over there, and thousands and thousands of companies worldwide have abandoned their own work forces to take advantage of that. So I try to avoid Chinese stuff out of self interest, as well as to have a clear conscience.

I'm old enough to have known some of the old union workers who paid a great personal price to fight for decent wages here. Now you only see vacant abandoned factories, and innumerable dying small towns and cities all across the nation where they worked and lived. Their sacrifices went for nothing as their companies closed up and did an end-run to China. It's no joke, and a worldwide tragedy. I honestly wouldn't want to touch products from any of the companies you named above if there is any possible alternative. 

Mike
jackd
1,066 posts
 
Mike

What did the guys at Command Performance where you bought the speakers recommend from what they carry?
inna
7,296 posts
 
You might also consider German T+A . I have no idea of how they sound, but the rumor is - very good. They have a range of models. Don't know if they are all made in Germany, though.
I don't want Chinese either. As for South Korean, I didn't mean Samsung, I meant Allnic - tube equipment of very high quality. Still, my Samsung phone has been working flawlessly for years.
I guess, Accuphase is out of your reach.
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