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Beginner Audiophile. How to chose a right amp? Recommendation for my setup?

Hi

I am new to the world of audio and looking for an enjoyable stereo setup for myself.

I have chosen my next set of speakers, DAC, and a streamer, but can’t quite choose a power amp.

You don’t have to read this -->> "How do you pick a right amp for yourself? Do you consider Damping Factor? Do you match Tube DAC + Tube Amp? or Do you match Solid State + Tube Amp? for what reason? What sound do Soild State DAC/Amp + Tube DAC/Amp combos make? Are there characteristics in Amps? like in DACs? if so, what are they?"

Literally, there are just too many questions I want to ask. But, for now, I just want to listen to what you want to say, whatever is in your mind or any advise you would like to give as more experienced audiophiles when you pick a power amp.

I seek for the right components, ideal setups and match because I learned something from my very first set of audio gears I bought for this thanksgiving that I unfortunately returned a few days ago. The sound quality from Sonos Amp was hard to endure! The SVS Ultra bookshelf was great, but not quite so when it dealt with high notes.

So, I did my research this time and found my next set of audio gears.

1. Monitor Audio Gold 100 5G speaker
2. MHDT Lab Orchid DAC
3. MiniDSP SHD Ultra streamer

What I focused on during the research was to pick gears that can produce wide sound stage, great 3d imaging, airy voices, and great details with smooth yet realistic sounds.

But, I don’t have a clue how to choose a right power amp.

I can just pick a internet recommended under $ 1K power amp and be done with it. Maybe I can still be okay. But, I don’t want to just buy something without knowing anything to go through a return process again. I’d rather at least learn some basics before buying a music component, even if I end up returning something. Because I know now that I can be pretty picky on stereo sounds.

So...

Please comment anything you want to add.

Recommend me some used/new power amps + deals (under 1K ish), if you have anything in mind.

Direct me to the right direction.

Thanks.

K





yggy1
dorkwad
548 posts
 
I agree with twodolphins, IF you're buying new.  However, if you're buying used, you can do it and get all those things he mentions along with killer bass.   I also, agree with him about buy once for quality and sound, and don't have to go through the hassle of buying and selling over and over u until you get lucky.

Read reviews online along with the Audiogon Forum about amps you might be interested in to get the strengths and weaknesses of different amps.  I did all that and then found a seller with the Nuforce Ref 9 V3 SE mono amps.  We agreed on a price and I loved the sound--it was a very good upgrade from the previous Bryston 8B and Edge M6 amps I had before--both bought used, one for $1500, the other for $800.  The cheaper buy of the Edge sounded better than the Bryston.  Both those amps were $3000 amps when new.  Soundwise, the Nuforce was much more detailed, transparent, dynamic, and still very musical.  That's the reason I had Bob Smith at TDSS do the upgrades to it.  He said the amps would be MUCH better in all ways as part of the upgrades was beefing up the power supplies.  I could have lived with the standard Nuforce amps for along time, too, but after the upgrades, I know they will be my last amps.  
mesch
3,500 posts
 
One review where lab tests were run, found the sensitivity of the Gold 100s to be 84.5. This is on the low side. 

What is the size of your room and how far is listening position from speakers?

Are you looking for a power amp or an integrated amp? 
headphonedreams
527 posts
 
Steve Guttenburg listed some amps he liked for reasonable sums.

https://youtu.be/CApq8h336S0

I use a Rega Brio that could work for you. I was thinking about a used Hegel as an alterativ, thay could be an option.
mesch
3,500 posts
 
As a followup, the review is from HiFiNews. They also indicate in the Lab report that the impedance drops to 2.7 ohms at 3.5KHz and is at 32 ohms at 33HZ, quite a swing over the frequency range.  The phase angle runs from -64 degrees at 2.4 KHZ to 52 degrees at 24Hz. 

Though the low impedance does not fall at the low frequencies, I would not consider this speaker to be easy to drive. 

I provide this not to confuse but in hopes that it will better help others to advise. 
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,623 posts
 
In your <$1K I recommend PS Audio S300. I see them used for $900.
Mine plays magic with my miniDSP Studio (why pay for a redundant internal DAC?)
300 w/ch Into my 4 ohm ESLs is all the power I desire.
Audio Arts or Wireworld are my recommendations for speaker cable.
I love Morrow Audio ICs for form factor AND SQ.
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