2. amps-preamps
  3. 159172-149101

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
128x128brian_holmes
flrun's avatar
flrun
92 posts
 
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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brian_holmes's avatar
brian_holmes OP
45 posts
 
Agreed on eliminating the Yamaha as a source. I'm leaning toward an Arcam SA-20 at the moment for its description as lush. I have heard Arcams with B&W's and was immersed in the sound. Parasound is still an option as it has full bass management and HT pass through.
derekw_hawaii
95 posts
 
Synergy is everything when it comes to speakers and amp pairings. Since you are going to rely on hearsay, start another post with B&W CM5 in the title and ask Agoner's experience with their amp, as a baseline. Also search for prior posts of CM5 and see what worked well with them. You can learn a lot from others experience, both good and bad.
brian_holmes's avatar
brian_holmes OP
45 posts
 
I agree. Hit the buy button on an Arcam SA-20 integrated amp. Almost got a Musical Fidelity A5 but it was a little too old. Anyway the hard part is over and I believe Arcam and B&W enjoy great synergy together. My gut tells me I made the right choice. We'll soon find out.
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