The Emotiva PA-1 is an interesting Ice monoblock. It has one published review that I have seen. (135/270 watts rms at 8/4 ohms but only at 1 KHz.) Positive review ( https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/amplifier/power-amplifier/emotiva-pa-1-balanced-class-d-power-amplifier-review/). Balanced circuit, $300 per side. I am hopeful to hear it at AXPONA. If it's decent, it's inexpensive enough to get until the Gallium Nitride FET driver class D amps come down in price. Just a thought. Aloha |
bstatmeister OP Audio GD is good value, but the Schiit is in the US, good for backup, and they give you a trial period so you can send it back if for some reason you don't like it. Here is a 30 page read on the $700 Schiit Vidar, and many more threads on the net if you search. https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/schiit-vidar-impression-thread-updated-with-... Cheers George |
Mrdecibel, I went back to check the NuForce specs on the STA200, and realized my mistake. Sensitivity is even lower than I reported. I stand corrected. One could drive many phonostages via a passive to this amp. Provided other electrical parameters are met. I may try that out one day. Tisbury Audio in London makes a passive that has dip switches to invoke attenuation at 0, -10 and -20 dB. prior to volume control. Might be just the thing with this amp. |
mesch, I am using a Douk Audio little passive in my system above that I have found to be cleaner than the Schiit Sys, ( I finally had one on loan ) although it has only 1 in and 1 out. Less than $50. shipped. Tiny little thing, very well built and uses a top notch Alps 27 attenuator. I have, in my main rig, the Luminous Axiom 11, Walker mod, 3 in, 2 out, with remote ( single ended ), and it was a revelation eliminating my preamps ( I will still not mention the units ), but they were excellent, well reviewed preamps. I am a passive guy, all the way now. I have tried passive with over 20 different ss power amps, and wonderful with all of them. Enjoy ! MrD. |
