2. amps-preamps
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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
skyscraper OP
831 posts
 
To clarify my last post I’ll be needing roughly ten feet of speaker cable (about three meters) or maybe a little less depending on where the Magico A3’s sound best in the listening room.

Inna, I read a good review of the Museus but they were asking $1600 for ten feet. I’ll have to look around. They sounded promising. Maybe I can find a better price, or maybe used. I did spot some used Purist Audio products today when looking around but don’t recall which model. You might be on to something here. If my Ortofon 2M Black sounds a little bright I guess I’ll have to live with it. It was supposed to be well matched with the VPI.

Drrsutliff, thanks for recommending the Synchestra Signature Speaker Cables. I was just a few blocks away from the place you provided the link to only last week, when I drove up to Richmond, VA to pick up my Luxman, I could have stopped in and maybe got a demo. I’ll find a review if I can.

Glupson, It’s hard to know what to think about them mounting their own spades with all this cable esoterica in play. Audio Advisor said they can buy the same Audioquest Rocket 88 cable by the spool so you'f think it would be no big deal. I did see Audioquests next higher model Castle Rock for sale used for about $650, but only eight feet long, which would be cutting it a little bit close. I’ll keep looking.

I think you’re right. I’ll send you my PIN for safe keeping. I’m going to the one place in town that carries expensive cables and see if they’ll demo a few so I can see what the differences may be. I think they may only have Audioquests, but differently priced ones, so I should be able to tell something, maybe. I’m staring to get fried out on this subject, but I’m hanging in there. This is not the same fun as buying components.

Mike














skyscraper OP
831 posts
 
Inna , I found the Purist Audeo Design Museaus Luminas for sale new at the Cable Company for $1095 for ten feet. That’s some progress. I found a sterling review of them too.

Mike
glupson
7,842 posts
 
skyscraper,

As a little entertainment and, I guess, reality reminder, here is the end of your original post...

"Thank goodness I don’t have to figure out the cabling nightmare yet. Thanks for any help."
It went down quite fast. Now, it is on you to decide when you have had enough fun with all of this. Unusual thing about this thread is that everyone is actually trying to help you. Other threads that mention cables in any sense are not this peaceful.

Speaking of cable esoterica and mounting spades in the kitchen vs. factory (how big is the Audioquest factory, by the way?), it is definitely a mystery. I am surprised to read names of all these companies, even only on this thread. Where are they all popping from? How many of them? And their websites seem nicely done and pictures of cables look like everything is actually made with some decent quality and the prices are anything but trivial, even for "cheaper" ones. Their descriptions seem very smart. It appears we need a lifetime or two to pick "the right one". I would feel like a Buridan’s donkey, if I started to be truly invested in it so I am simply waiting for you to make a pick. I forgot why, but at some point I decided something was wrong with Audioquest as a company so I am hoping you will not pick them.

Have fun and remember, it is ok to quit once it is not fun anymore.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Mike, check with albertporter, a member and a dealer of Purist here. He advertises all the time, just type Purist. He would give you a good price. Ask him about both Museus and Poseidon prices. You can also ask him about which one of two he would choose.
It's Luminist revision, meaning the latest Purist cables.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Albert doesn't advertise less expensive models but he sells all models, including custom lengths.
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