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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
terry9
2,354 posts
 
RE Chinese theft

If I remember correctly, the Chinese were handed modern technology with aerospace deals under Reagan. It was all in the open, above-board and, what must now be obvious to everyone, was not to US advantage.
Post removed 
skyscraper OP
831 posts
 
Twoleftears, thanks for recommending the Coda CSiB. I hadn’t heard of them before, but read it’s designers worked at Legacy and Pass Labs before, which is likely a good pedigree. Tough to find reviews on them though. They sound interesting and made in the USA to boot.

They’re quite powerful.at 800 watts into 4 ohms, like a modern day Ampzilla. At $6000 they do make the top end of my price range. I’ll keep looking for reviews. They list Audio Doctor as a dealer, but Coda isn’t listed on at least their New Jersey site as a product they carry. The NJ Audio Doctor writes in here frequently so I thought maybe they’d know something about them relative to other integrateds on my short list. Thanks.

Bjesian, appreciate the suggestion on getting a Boulder refurbished, but I’m going to stick with new to avoid hassles.

Terry9, no doubt true.

Jones4music, be nice. If people here on Audiogon can’t help with high end audio suggestions, I’m not sure where else to turn for assistance. This stuff is expensive for the average person, and without an audio engineering backgroud, I can’t ill afford to make completely uneducated, if not just plain dumb, choices.


With all of your suggestions and some research, I’ve got my list of possible amps narrowed down to ten potential choices. A couple of Chinese made ones were left in due to exemplary reviews, albeit with a little trepidation. I’ve winnowed the list down on the basis of price being between $4500 and $6500, a stretch beyond my self imposed $6000 limit, and having the recommended power, 50-300 watts into 4 ohms, to feed the power hungry Magico A3’s.

My interest is in playing mostly records and CD’s, no streaming media. Being able to plug my Smart TV into it would be okay too for listening to movies. My system, as aforementioned, will be Magico A’3 speakers, a VPI Classic 2 SE turntable, and a Marantz SA 8005 CD/SACD player with integral DAC.

I’ll likely have to bump the Krell off the list as it’s going to be $7000 in the US, as opposed to the $6500 price I saw listed in Europe when I calculated the exchange rate. For some reason the McIntosh MA 6700 is listed on the McIntosh site as not available in North America, so that may have to go too. I’m not sure how much value should be placed on the room correction feature included with the Anthem (ARC) and Lyngdorf (Room Perfect) entries either, which make choosing a bit more difficult.

I know it’s a lot to ask, but If any of you can help focus the below list on which amps you perceive should be the front runners on a short list, I’d be appreciative.

Hegel H360

Mod Wright KWI200

Krell K-300i

Anthem Electronics STR D/A

Simaudio Moon Neo 340i D3PX

Classe’ Sigma 2220ics STR D/A

Coda CSiB

Lyngdorf TDA1-3400

Micromega M15

McIntosh MA 6700


Thanks,

Mike

inna
7,317 posts
 
Mike,
Since you decided to consider 'Chinese' Hegel, I would also consider 'Chinese' Luxman. Power figures do not tell the whole story even within power figures. Older Gryphon Class A 100 watt/ch/8ohm amp sounds much more powerful than older 600 watts/ch Krell, not to mention incomparably better. Besides, you need a good phono stage. And also, almost everything breaks from time to time, manufacturer's support is important.
skyscraper OP
831 posts
 
Inna, I read yesterday Luxman, pulled out of manufacturing in China. Anyway, their products and Gryphons are well out of my price range since I'm only buying new . However with Xmas coming up you might keep me in mind for a Gryphon Diablo 120 with their optional phono stage, though.

Mike

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