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Upgrading receiver: Got a pair of Dynaudio Sapphires+NAD C740

Hi,

I recently upgraded from Totem Staafs to Dynaudio Sapphires and of course love the new speakers. I believe my receiver is not doing justice to the speakers and need to upgrade. My budget at this time is $1500. Here are my constraints and questions:
1) If it is worth upgrading from NAD c740 to a higher end Stereo receiver?
2) I need a receiver with ability to drive two pairs of speakers (main dynaudios and other ones are totems in another room). Any suggestions?

ray_sonya
valinar
471 posts
 
I have had Dynaudio Focus 140, Contour 1.4se, and Confidence C1. The comments regarding ss power and current is right on. With my Confidence C1's I found beautiful synergy with Simaudio I-7 integrated. Apparently you are not thinking of preamp, power amp separates. No problem, but with all due respect, give up the notion of a receiver.
I see there is an I-7 currently for sale here on Audiogon, (I have no knowledge of the seller). If I had a pair of Sapphires I would run straight to conclude a deal to buy it. Be ready to take a selfie when you power it up with the Dyns. Your initial smile will be memorable.
ray_sonya OP
5 posts
 
Thanks folks. I really appreciate it. I will start looking for a higher end Amp based on your suggestions. (Gave up notion of a receiver :) )
ray_sonya OP
5 posts
 
Folks..could you help me with this...is this combo good enough?
Bel Canto Ref1000M and Bel Canto Pre3 Preamp
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649245051-bel-canto-ref1000m/
maxboy00's avatar
maxboy00
276 posts
 
Also consider amps and IA from Sim Moon and Musical Fidelity both work well with the Dyns. 
xti16
1,525 posts
 
While I agree Dyn's love lots of good clean current I had no problems driving my C1's and later C1 sigs with a 70W @4ohm Octave tube integrated. I started with a Bryston B100 sst but found the Octave to have much better 'control' of the music and much less 'dry' sounding. Later I upgraded to the 110W Octave and gained a hair more control. A friend had Sapphires and later C4's sig's also drove them with a 75W@4ohm Octave integrated. Another fried drove his C4 sig's with a Naim Supernait2. They sounded great IMO.

That said you really need to go listen to different amps to hear what sound signature you prefer. I personally preferred a 'warmer' sounding amp with Dyn's. My local dealer sold Sim Audio when I purchased the original C1's and I personally didn't care for that combo. Why - because I found myself listening to and analyzing individual instruments and vocals without hearing the music. Again that's just me.

So I will say don't just buy an amp just for gobs of power.
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