2. amps-preamps
  3. 1280441782

Budget amp for NHT 2.5i - suggestions?

Hi guys, I just picked up a pair of NHT 2.5i towers, but I don't have an amplifier for them yet. Just wondering if you had any suggestions, especially if any of you are currently running these speakers or have had them in the past.

Apparently these speakers tend to be on the bright side, and they like lots of power to perform optimally. Some seem to use them with tube amps to decrease the brightness, but others seem happy with solid-state as well.

I got a good deal on these and am on a pretty tight budget, so I would probably buy a used amp, but I'm open to anything. Any suggestions or info would be great. Also, I will probably use my computer for music so I would have to buy a DAC as well (suggestions? maybe good amp/dac pairs?) Thanks!
105sixteen
105sixteen OP
17 posts
 
Yeah I've read that the DNA-0.5 is a solid amp for these speakers, looks like they can be had for around $600 used. Definitely looks like a nice amp, I'm guessing it would be a big improvement over a B&K (which could be had for closer to $200 or so)? Definitely a big price difference.

Also, any other suggestions for a USB DAC? Anybody use the Decco or other DACs for comparison? Also, just wanted to ask again to get a response for whether these could sound overly warm with the Decco (tube preamp) and a warm amp like the ones being discussed? Thanks.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
"Definitely looks like a nice amp, I'm guessing it would be a big improvement over a B&K (which could be had for closer to $200 or so)? Definitely a big price difference."

The McCormack will be a huge upgrade over the B&K. Most definitely worthy of the price difference.

Shakey
105sixteen OP
17 posts
 
I see. I think I will be on the look out for a McCormack DNA-0.5. From what I've seen so far it doesn't look like they are too hard to find, so that's good. I'll also be on the lookout for a used Decco or maybe Decco 2 (anybody know how much better the DAC in the Decco 2 is?). These might be a little bit tougher to find, but I have plenty of time to keep searching. I know the Signal Path website currently has refurbished Deccos for $499 also.

Anyways, as of right now the McCormack power amp and Decco DAC/pre-amp seems like the perfect combo. Looks like it will probably end up being around $1,000 or a little more for both (as long as I can find them) which is more than I had initially planned on spending, seeing as how my speakers were so much cheaper than this, but I think that this would probably be the best way to go. Thanks for the help, and more suggestions/advice are always welcome!
105sixteen OP
17 posts
 
Hi guys, so I ended up getting a Decco and a McCormack DNA 0.5 deluxe. I have yet to receive them/hook them up, but I had one more question. In using the power amp with the Decco, will the amp section of the Decco be bypassed? If the DNA is 100wpc and the Decco is 50wpc or so, will I be running 150wpc, or only the 100wpc from the power amp? Thanks.
ghstudio
141 posts
 
You will be connecting the preamp output of the Decco to the McCormack amp....and not using the 50W amp. You will have 100Wpc.
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