One thing I have learned is that a high quality preamp an make a huge difference.
So can a high quality integrated... And a better keyboard.
Hopelessly Confused
It is impossible for me to audition every amp I'm researching let alone with my speakers (B&W CM5 w/ SVS SB-1000 subwoofer). Therefore I'm reliant on research, word of mouth and attempting to decipher amplifier speak. Currently I'm using my Yamaha AVR as a preamp to an 80w Adcom GFA-5300. It sounds good, especially when I put the Yamaha in direct mode bypassing circuitry sending the signal to the Adcom. My room is 10x14. I typically listen to music in the 80 dB to 90dB range. My musical tastes are all over the place. Jazz, blues, reggae, Knopfler stuff, classical etc.
I bought a 150w Parasound 2125 v.2 amp to replace the Adcom thinking more watts will equal more accuracy/detail in musical fidelity. At the last minute I posed a question on Reddit asking if more watts will achieve my goal. The answers were almost a unanimous no. When the UPS guy came to deliver my amp I panicked and refused delivery so I could rethink my next move. Indecisiveness is not my best quality.
For the time being the speakers stay. The Yamaha AVR stays for cinema. I'm using a different pair of B&W's for that purpose. The one subwoofer stays as is. I need my subwoofer to dual purpose with whatever 2 channel listening solution I arrive at. Looking at the 110w Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated amp w/DAC $1195 it would check off a lot of boxes. 1) a little more power 2) preamp outputs for the Yamaha 3) 4K pass through 4) subwoofer output 5) bass management w/ crossover capability. Lots of bells and whistles but at the end of the day all I really want is to eek out as much sonic bliss from my speakers as possible.
Am I on the right track or have I missed the boat again?
https://parasound.com/200_Integrated.php
I bought a 150w Parasound 2125 v.2 amp to replace the Adcom thinking more watts will equal more accuracy/detail in musical fidelity. At the last minute I posed a question on Reddit asking if more watts will achieve my goal. The answers were almost a unanimous no. When the UPS guy came to deliver my amp I panicked and refused delivery so I could rethink my next move. Indecisiveness is not my best quality.
For the time being the speakers stay. The Yamaha AVR stays for cinema. I'm using a different pair of B&W's for that purpose. The one subwoofer stays as is. I need my subwoofer to dual purpose with whatever 2 channel listening solution I arrive at. Looking at the 110w Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated amp w/DAC $1195 it would check off a lot of boxes. 1) a little more power 2) preamp outputs for the Yamaha 3) 4K pass through 4) subwoofer output 5) bass management w/ crossover capability. Lots of bells and whistles but at the end of the day all I really want is to eek out as much sonic bliss from my speakers as possible.
Am I on the right track or have I missed the boat again?
https://parasound.com/200_Integrated.php
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- 35 posts total
For the best sound quality you need to stop using the Yamaha as a preamp and buy an audio only preamp that has home theatre bypass for your Yamaha. All of your sources plug directly onto the new preamp including the front left and right amp outs from the Yamaha. When the input of the Yamaha is selected and HT bypass is on the Yammy takes over control of the preamp so you surround content levels match. This is the only way to have an audiophile system that integrates with hoke theatre. |
markusthenaimnut, and Brian, When I referenced this thread I should have added; Focus on his original post. The information and descriptions alone of the various amps was enough to narrow it down for me, I have a starting point. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/my-long-list-of-amplifiers-and-my-personal-review-of-each Knowing that a specific amp has certain characteristic like; warm, or hollow sounding will help determine if it will pair nicely with my current speakers or what speakers I need to look at. Will |
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- 35 posts total