2. amps-preamps
  3. 1374850226

Suggestions for a good stereo preamp and amp

I have a pair of b&w 704s, which I have been driving with Rotel rsx 1057 for the last 7 yrs. My receiver is not working.I need to repair it with factory later. I also have a Rel T1 sub and Oppo bdp93. The speakers are 150w in 8 ohms. The rotel only had 75 watts/Ch, and I always thought I never did justice to the speakers. I still want to stay with 2.1 system,but need to move to separates.I do not have a very large budget, but may be able to spend up to 1500 dollars. I heard about Emotiva, but not totally sold on it.If some of my good friends who own a pair off b&w speakers can offer suggestions, that will be wonderful. This system is in the family room, not enclosed.
mammen1
elevick
2,638 posts
 
1-get something with a sub output.
2-do you need video switching? Is this used for tv or audio only?
3-to get a noticable difference in power, you will more or less have to double the wattage. A multi channel receiver will put out more power into 2 channels vs 5 or 7.
There's lots of neat receivers out there that have all of the features you will ever need and lots of power too. Look at Anthem, Sherbourn, Arcam, NAD, and much more.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"3-to get a noticable difference in power, you will more or less have to double the wattage. A multi channel receiver will put out more power into 2 channels vs 5 or 7."

There's more to it than that. Its hard to judge the power an amp by looking at a spec sheet.
tonyangel
309 posts
 
Maybe I'm missing something, but I really don't understand why many will try to steer you toward an integrated unless you're talking about spending thousands of dollars.

Since you're running a REL you don't need a sub out. ZD is also right about amps. You can't just go by the ratings. I'll just about guarantee you that any good 75wpc amp with a good power supply will drive your speakers better than that receiver did.

If I was starting out and had 1500 to spend, I'd be looking at something like a McCormack DNA 1 or .5, both of which I've seen here for under 1k and spend the rest on a preamp. I just picked up a Marsh P2000 for 400 here on agon.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
I think you would find it next to impossible to do better than the Emotiva XSP-1 Differential, Balanced preamp ($769 on sale right now) mated to Emo's XPA-200 amp (150 watts/ch., $429 on sale)

You get 30 days to try them out in your system and a 5 year warranty if you decide to keep them...

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xsp1

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/xpa200

-RW-
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
07-27-13: Tonyangel
Maybe I'm missing something, but I really don't understand why many will try to steer you toward an integrated unless you're talking about spending thousands of dollars.

So let me see if I'm understanding what you are saying. If the OP was willing to spend more money, then he should be guided towards an integrated amp, but since his budget is smaller, he should be guided towards separates???
I'm sorry, but that makes no sense to me whatsoever. I too would think at $1500 an integrated amp would provide the most bang for the buck by far.
More to discover