Who has Luv for the Lyngdorf 2170 and is thinking about the 3400.

I probably posted this at least a dozen times on this thread and others but yes I have tried many other solid-state and tube amps with the 2170.

The 2170 always sounded better by itself. Yes you should’ve run room correction and that is my quote above suggesting that the unit should be left on for best sound.

It is impossible for me or even you to know how that amp really sounds based on one visit to a store.Everything matters when it comes to getting the best sound out of this unit. The cabling being used is important and room correction is certainly an aspect that should have been turned on to at least listen to.

Anyway, in the end you will have to listen to it in your own space and determine if you want an additional amp. The unit is not made to use an additional amp to sound it’s best. The possible exception would be using the digital out in which you could use the 2400 amp.In fact the analog outputs and additional interconnect and connectors nullify one of the greatest aspects of this unit which is the short signal paths and built in synergy.

What grannyring said I totally agree with. And I will emphasize the need to evaluate equipment in your listening environment. You have zero idea what's going on with the set-up at that dealer. He apparently has a demo 2170. Take it home and listen to it. 

@grannyring  You state that the Lyngdorf is not meant to be used with a separate amp. The only reason this could be is if the signal from the preamp to the amp is further adjusted via ROOM PERFECT. I did not use RP in my demo so maybe I missed that part. One thing we did do was turn of the sub-woofer output on the 2170. When it was on the Simaudio sounded awful (as expected).

The observation of the dealer and myself with the SimAudio amp in the chain was that the sound was really good. He said that it was the best he had heard the Paradigm Person 5F.  They usually use MAC equipment with the Persona.

When you consider the MAC DSP unit licensed from Lyngdorf I picture it doing the DSP and then outputting a DSPed analog signal to an external amp.

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/specialty-products/MEN220

I think I need to email Lyngdorf and ask them on this separate amp issue I am bringing up.

@bullitt5094 I only have a pair of KEF LS50's left at home. I needed to evaluate this unit with more demanding speakers.

The dealer has offered to have a DSP shootout for me in his glass walled conference room. It is slightly bigger than my room but it has 2 or 3 sides with glass panels. It is an awful room acoustically. He offered to demo the DSP on the Lyngdorf | Linn SELEKT DSM | Anthem STR. I will take him up on the offer though I am inclined to go with the Lyngdorf based on the preamp sound I heard. 

My issue was with the amplification but as I mentioned above I will talk with Lyngdorf to get their opinion.

The analog outs on the 2170 are not a strength in terms of the unit’s design. I never said it was not meant to be used with another amp. I said if you want the best sound then going through the analog outs you will be sacrificing sound quality vs using the unit fully as intended. Just buy the Lyngdorf separate room correction unit then.

In the end do what sounds best to you in your room. Just do not plop down and play the 2170 and expect the best out of it. It likes full bodied cabling, nice power cord and conditioning and at least 200-400 hours of run in.

Once you dial it in with intention and a little effort it will make you smile and save you money on separate amps, dacs and additional cabling.