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
Well, you could try $560 DiMarzio Super M-path speaker cables with spade connectors from thecableco.com or even Mogami with banana connectors on ebay from Japan for about $130. I know DiMarzio M-path interconnects, still have them. They are..okay. DiMarzio cables are wildly used by electric guitar players. Those Super M speaker cables are said to be better than interconnects, but they are not exactly free.
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Kost_amojan, I didn’t think my house was hard to build, plumb and wire, but I had some idea about what I was doing. I would like to learn about electronics but that will probably never happen. I’m impressed it would be easy for you to make your own cables. I always admire people who have the skills to do things. That cryogenic freezing of cables sounds pretty hokey to me too, although I know zero about it. I’ll think about your last post tomorrow when I’m not so tired. There’s a lot to learn about cables as you say. I’ve only been reading up on them two or three days now.

If I can find some relatively expensive cables that are universally recognized as being of high quality, and would likely synergize with my equipment, maybe that’s a direction to go. I’ll probably get the VPI phono cable which isn’t too bad at $300 and is supposed to match the wiring in my VPI Classic 2. So I only need pricey speaker cables at this point. I'd really like to find something I wouldn't have to replace later on. I can deal with power cords, power conditioners, and the like at a later date. Appreciate your advice.

Jackd. I’ll add the Audio Sensibility name to my list of cables to look into. Thanks

Shkong. I’ve added Audio Note and Analysis Audio cables to my list too. It’s amazing how many cable manufacturers there are out there. Thanks for your followup with some more details on the Audio notes.

Jones4music, "Just quantum tunnel and run 3,000,000 volts and move on with it?" Can I borrow your quantum blaster when your done with it? In order to reduce external noise pollution the next door neighbors yappy new dog could use a taste of that.

Inna, I may consider buying used cables from a reliable source. I don’ t think cables could get abused as easily as components that I wouldn’t want to buy used might. Unless maybe you ran them over when vacuuming. Used, I could get closer to some top of the line stuff, and be done with it. Maybe I’ll luck into some used Nordost Valhallas or some such at a cut rate reasonable cost. I’d prefer to not go much over a thousand for speaker cables if I have to.

I’ll have to figure out good, reliable sources for used speaker cables. I was looking at The Cable Company site tonight. There must be other sources too. I can afford good cables, just don’t want spend money on them versus other things. But it looks more and more like I have to suck it up. I don’t want to marginalize the rest of the system I’ve put so much into just like you say. So it goes. I’ll get over it in a few days and after another thousand or so is gone with the wind.

Mike




kosst_amojan
@geoffkait

What’s your point? Who can’t buy reels of cryo’d cable and wire? I can. I don’t think it makes any difference.

>>>>>Bingo! That’s my point! You don’t think it makes any difference.

And cryogenics is only one example of things people don’t know about making cables or dismiss. That’s why I say building a superior sounding cable is difficult for most people. Directionality is obviously another issue people don’t know about or dismiss, no?
Kosst_amojan, It’s a new day, I’m awake again and have reread your post. That’s sensible advice you’re offering. I do need to research more on this fairly complex subject, and be patient doing so. I am getting into a bit of a rush to get this project, buying a new stereo system, over with. At the very least I can make do until February when my back ordered Magico’s are set to arrive, and obtain at a better understanding of what’s involved with audiophile quality cables. That’s a way more sensible idea than taking a shot in the dark. Thanks for your advice.

It’s taken a few days to adjust to the idea cables are an important part of a stereo system and the non-expense of using zip cords is a thing of the past. Back in the late seventies, when I last purchased components, you never even considered wiring or cabling in the overall cost or budget for a system, and honestly I didn’t when budgeting for my recently purchased new equipment. That’s why I’m been trying to find a way out of this somewhat unexpected added expense.

Are there any $1000+ speaker cables you would personally recommend, that you’re sure are well built and legitimate, and not too esoteric. I’ve received well over twenty recommendations so far without even asking, and read reviews of even more possibilities. I need to start narrowing down the field to a shorter list of legitimate contenders to research.

I’ll maybe make due with something in the Blue Jeans range in the meantime, as some have suggested. It would be nice if there were some cables in the $1000+ range that there was a consensus about, that you couldn’t go wrong with. Maybe with some further research I can turn some up. I’ll have to find what cables Magico uses for demoing their A3’s at shows too. (I’m thinking out loud). Thanks again


Geoff, I’d appreciate if you didn’t head my thread off in a related, but different direction, while I’m trying to figure this out with your and other’s valued advice. Are there any $1000+ cables you’d consider to be a sure bet and should be on my short list? Preferably ones by not too esoteric a manufacturer with a a decent track record? I read your thoughts on cryogenic treatment of cables, and had read some others who passed this off as gimmickry. Not to focus on cryogenics, I’m curious what aspects of cable design you’d recommend I should avoid as gimmicks and what might be legitimate design factors to look for. I really have no way of knowing what’s legitimate design or manufacturing practices, and what’s not, and opinions on the internet are all over the place. I am trying to learn though, best I can by asking questions. Thanks for your advice,

Mike