2. amps-preamps
  3. 175216-1604

Amp with RCA and XLR Inputs PLUS a switch to Select

I have my systems setup great now and looking to add one more amp. I have some spare parts that could be used nicely if I had one more amp. I am now looking for an amp that supports both RCA and XLR inputs and also has a switch on the back of the amp to select 1 of the 2 input types. I also need the amp to not degrade in sound if XLR and RCA is connected at the same time, but only 1 is used at a time.

Bryston has this feature, the CODA #16 has this feature. I am looking for some more options. This amp ideally will be not too large and have a minimum of 100 watt.

Here is another amp with this feature. I sold this last year (maybe I should have kept it). M3a-800S Stereo Amplifier | D Sonic (d-sonic.com)

Even n though the Parasound A21+ has a switch they say not to hookup XLR and RCA at the same time. I sold the A21+ a few months ago.

The 2 preamps I want to connect to this new amp (at the same time with only 1 preamp turned on) are the CODA 07x using XLR and the Schitt Freya+ connected by RCA. 

The ideal amp would not be too big, have some warmth, have a lot of power, and be sufficiently different sonically from the Benchmark AHB2. The AHB2 is my main amp in this headphone system that I am looking to expand with a 2nd amp.

yyzsantabarbara
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,937 posts
 

For anyone confused by my search for a new amp.

I recently discovered that the Schitt Freya+ preamp | Benchmark AHB2 amp | Musetec 005 | RAAL SR1a sound excellent. A little different from my prior setups but just as excellent as those but with a bit more clarity.

The following device is used to connect my 2-channel amp to my RAAL SR1a headphones. I have 2 of these with 1 not being used.

 

I moved that above set of gear to my office, so I now have 2 preamps in the office. The other preamp is the CODA 07x which is connected to a KRELL 175XD amp driving Thiel CS3.7 speakers.

The Freya+ preamp has all my sources connected to it using RCA (Tuner and DAC). My CODA 07x preamp has all of the same sources connected to it via XLR.

The Freya+ and CODA 07x can connect to 2 amps each. The Freya+ via RCA and the CODA 07x via XLR to the additional amp.

If I got a 3rd amp I could connect the Freya+ and CODA 07x preamp by RCA and XLR respectively to the 3rd amp. This amp would connect to the extra AMP INTERFACE BOX to the RAAL SR1a headphones. This would give me a variety of flavors to listen to the SR1a without having to unplug any cables.

- Freya+ | AHB2

- Freya+ | 3rd amp

- CODA 07x | 3rd amp

The sound of the SR1a is so good that the cost of this setup is well worth it for me.

BTW - I previously had the SR1a setup in my office via the CODA 07x preamp | CODA #8 amp | Musetec 005 DAC. However, I moved the CODA #8 to my Livingroom last week and was able to move the Freya+ into the office.

 

yyzsantabarbara OP
4,937 posts
 

From Alberto at AGD

 

To answer your question, yes the TEMPO and the AUDION and the Vivace have independent XLR and RCA inputs. So you can connect 2 sources at the same time without any mutual influence. The XLR-RCA switch activate 2 relays (one per channel) that do the correct input selection.

yyzsantabarbara OP
4,937 posts
 

Thanks all for your suggestions.

I just bought a NAD M22 V2 and will give it a whirl. I was about to get the AGD Tempo but the NAD M22 which I have heard before could be something different from the AHB2. Whereas the AGD may not (if the LSA Voyager I had is comparable to the AGD).

NAD Masters Series M22 power amplifier Page 2 | Stereophile.com

The Benchmark AHB2 set itself apart from the other three amps with its copious soundstage depth and a slightly more distant presentation, but while I felt an abiding sense of its accuracy and neutrality, it failed to be as lively or exciting as the NAD.

 

yyzsantabarbara OP
4,937 posts
 

Today, I received the NAD M22 V2 from The Music Room in Colorado. I paid for a used unit, but it looks like they sent me a brand-new unit. No complaints there.

My signal path with the NAD needs some breaking-in but everything works as I wanted, and it sounds pretty good already on my headphones. It certainly sounds different than the AHB2. I will burn in the new headphone signal path for a week and give it a good listen.

Very happy with the results on first listen.

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