an advice for power amp

[C a r b u r o]

Hi!
I'm looking for an upgrade of my amplification (first step).

My hifi now is this:
TEAC CDZ-5000 cd player
ROTEL RA971MKII integrated amp
CHARIO Constellatio Lynx speakers
Van Den Hul signal cable
Self made power cables (like this:
http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/ffrc_e.html)

I'm thinking about using the Rotel as a pre with a good used power amp.
In the future, maybe I'll sell the Rotel and buy a pre.
I listen at JAZZ (acoustic and electric) and CLASSICAL (renaissance ->
'900), and I need a powerful but extremely *precise* amp. I also need to
compensate the slightly smooth and endearing sound of my speakers. The
Charios (fine bookshelf speakers) give no listening pain, even after hours,
but I would like a little more nerve.
I've selected those items that are in my budget (all MINT and 1 year
warranty) and I'm asking you to tell me something about these amps if you
know them.

Phase Linear Series 200
(I didn't listen at this, I know it only the name)

Carver M-400 Magnetic Field
(like Phase Linear)

Denon POA 2200/2400
(I've listened at those, and they seem good)

Quad 303
(Like Phase and Carver)

Yamaha M 4
(Very very good indeed! But so Ugly!)

There's a Linn POWERTEK too, that I know only by reputation, that is a
little over the budget. What is it?
There's a Threshold T300 too. But I don't know the price, and I think it
will be very expensive.

Thanks a lot to all the friends who will help me.

[Arny Krueger]

"C a r b u r o" > wrote in
message
> Hi!
> I'm looking for an upgrade of my amplification (first step).
>
> My hifi now is this:
> TEAC CDZ-5000 cd player
> ROTEL RA971MKII integrated amp

Specs: 90 wpc into a 4 ohm load

> CHARIO Constellatio Lynx speakers

Specs:

Sensitivity 87 dB SPL

Frequency @ -3dB 67 Hz

Rated impedance 4 ohm

Suggested amplifier 100 W/4 ohm

Size (mm) HxWxD360x200x260


> Van Den Hul signal cable

> Self made power cables (like this:
> http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/ffrc_e.html)

> I'm thinking about using the Rotel as a pre with a good used power
> amp.

These are tiny little mini-monitors, albeit mini-monitors with a good
reputation. Rather than upgrading your already good integrated amp,
why not extend the dynamic range and tonal capacity of your system
with a subwoofer?

[C a r b u r o]

"Arny Krueger" > ha scritto nel messaggio
...
> "C a r b u r o" > wrote in
> message
>> Hi!
>> I'm looking for an upgrade of my amplification (first step).
>>
>> My hifi now is this:
>> TEAC CDZ-5000 cd player
>> ROTEL RA971MKII integrated amp
>
> Specs: 90 wpc into a 4 ohm load
>
>> CHARIO Constellatio Lynx speakers
>
> Specs:
>
> Sensitivity 87 dB SPL
>
> Frequency @ -3dB 67 Hz
>
> Rated impedance 4 ohm
>
> Suggested amplifier 100 W/4 ohm
>
> Size (mm) HxWxD360x200x260
>
>
>> Van Den Hul signal cable
>
>> Self made power cables (like this:
>> http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/ffrc_e.html)
>
>> I'm thinking about using the Rotel as a pre with a good used power
>> amp.
>
> These are tiny little mini-monitors, albeit mini-monitors with a good
> reputation. Rather than upgrading your already good integrated amp,
> why not extend the dynamic range and tonal capacity of your system
> with a subwoofer?

Don't you think that is very very hard to integrate a sub in a small room?

[Mike McKelvy]

C a r b u r o Mar 23, 5:50 am show options

Newsgroups: rec.audio.opinion
From: "C a r b u r o" <architettosecciCANCELLAQUE...@gmail.=ADcom> -
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Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 14:50:03 +0100
Local: Wed, Mar 23 2005 5:50 am
Subject: Re: an advice for power amp
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"Arny Krueger" > ha scritto nel messaggio
...




- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

> "C a r b u r o" > wrote in
> message
>> Hi!
>> I'm looking for an upgrade of my amplification (first step).

>> My hifi now is this:
>> TEAC CDZ-5000 cd player
>> ROTEL RA971MKII integrated amp


> Specs: 90 wpc into a 4 ohm load


>> CHARIO Constellatio Lynx speakers


> Specs:


> Sensitivity 87 dB SPL


> Frequency @ -3dB 67 Hz


> Rated impedance 4 ohm


> Suggested amplifier 100 W/4 ohm


> Size (mm) HxWxD360x200x260


>> Van Den Hul signal cable


>> Self made power cables (like this:
>> http://www.tnt-audio.com/clini=ADca/ffrc_e.html)


>> I'm thinking about using the Rotel as a pre with a good used power
>> amp.


> These are tiny little mini-monitors, albeit mini-monitors with a good

> reputation. Rather than upgrading your already good integrated amp,
> why not extend the dynamic range and tonal capacity of your system
> with a subwoofer?



Don't you think that is very very hard to integrate a sub in a small
room?

The problem is that people think so. Many arewn't willing to expend
the effort and they complain that so and so subwoofer isn't "musical."
There's no such thing as a "musical" subwoofer, at least one that is
being operated at a proper crossover frequency.

For the overwhelming majority of listening rooms, it's fairly simple,
put the subwoofer in the corner and buy or borrow an spl meter and a
disk of test tones so that you can determine the optimum xover point.

In a small room, becxause of room gain, you might be able to get deep
bass from a smaller sub. I don't see that as a problem.

Check out the finished subs available at www,adireaudio.com. Doesn't
cost too much and will give you bass down into the bottom octave,
especially in a SMALL ROOM.

[[email protected]]

Agree. I wouldn't buy a new amp either, I'd get a powered sub. This
will make much more of a difference.

Another advantage of a powered sub is that because it will reproduce
the bass, which takes more amp power, it will lessen the work of your
main stereo amplifier.

Several times, I've added a powered sub to small speakers in small
rooms, and I've always been happy with the results.

[[email protected]]

I don't think a separate power amp will give you much, or any, change
to your system. All your choices seem to be older, discontinued amps
that if they don't work properly, may be hard to get repaired. An
integrated amp and a power amp are almost the same thing anyway.

I agree with the other posters here that a powered subwoofer is by far
the best upgrade you can make to a system with small speakers like
yours.

Also, unless you're a hard-core stereo user who only listens to CDs,
you could consider buying a DVD player and adding that, or using the
DVD player to replace your CD player. Then you could connect your
stereo system to your TV and/or your PC, and enjoy your stereo when
watching DVD movies and TV.

[Arny Krueger]

"C a r b u r o" > wrote in
message
> "Arny Krueger" > ha scritto nel messaggio
> ...
>> "C a r b u r o" > wrote in
>> message

>>> I'm looking for an upgrade of my amplification (first step).

>>> My hifi now is this:
>>> TEAC CDZ-5000 cd player
>>> ROTEL RA971MKII integrated amp

>> Specs: 90 wpc into a 4 ohm load

>>> CHARIO Constellatio Lynx speakers

>> Specs:

>> Sensitivity 87 dB SPL

>> Frequency @ -3dB 67 Hz

>> Rated impedance 4 ohm

>> Suggested amplifier 100 W/4 ohm

>> Size (mm) HxWxD360x200x260

>>> Van Den Hul signal cable

>>> Self made power cables (like this:
>>> http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/ffrc_e.html)

>>> I'm thinking about using the Rotel as a pre with a good used power
>>> amp.

>> These are tiny little mini-monitors, albeit mini-monitors with a
good
>> reputation. Rather than upgrading your already good integrated amp,
>> why not extend the dynamic range and tonal capacity of your system
>> with a subwoofer?

> Don't you think that is very very hard to integrate a sub in a small
> room?

Absolutely not. I find that its easier to integrate a sub in a small
room. Deep bass is easier to obtain in small rooms. Thus, a smaller
sub can be used. It's easier to integrate a smaller sub with smaller
upper-range speakers.

[[email protected]]

Not in my experience. All the powered subs I've seen and used have a
few controls (volume and crossover controls) that make it easy. The
instruction manual will tell you what to do.

Small speakers and a small powered sub in a small room can produce
excellent sound.

Also, in my experience, a small powered sub is really a pretty simple
thing and there's no need to spend a lot of money either. Depending on
your taste, the amount of space you have, and the kind of music and
volume levels you like, you may find that a small, inexpensive powered
subwoofer will provide all the bass you need.

[George M. Middius]

The Big Deaf **** said:

> > Don't you think that is very very hard to integrate a sub in a small
> > room?

> Absolutely not.

You see, "C a r b u r o", it's not difficult for Mr. **** to do this
because he doesn't give a crap how it sounds. Or, more accurately, he eats
crap all day long, so whether it sounds like **** doesn't matter to him.

[[email protected]]

The Quad at least is well supported, surprisingly. I believe most
Phase Linears are supportable with only standard parts and some are
still used in pro service. But your Rotel is probably fine.

Bigger speakers are probably your best upgrade.

[Trevor Wilson]

"C a r b u r o" > wrote in message
...
> Hi!
> I'm looking for an upgrade of my amplification (first step).
>
> My hifi now is this:
> TEAC CDZ-5000 cd player
> ROTEL RA971MKII integrated amp
> CHARIO Constellatio Lynx speakers
> Van Den Hul signal cable
> Self made power cables (like this:
> http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/ffrc_e.html)
>
> I'm thinking about using the Rotel as a pre with a good used power amp.
> In the future, maybe I'll sell the Rotel and buy a pre.
> I listen at JAZZ (acoustic and electric) and CLASSICAL (renaissance ->
> '900), and I need a powerful but extremely *precise* amp. I also need to
> compensate the slightly smooth and endearing sound of my speakers. The
> Charios (fine bookshelf speakers) give no listening pain, even after
> hours,
> but I would like a little more nerve.
> I've selected those items that are in my budget (all MINT and 1 year
> warranty) and I'm asking you to tell me something about these amps if you
> know them.
>
> Phase Linear Series 200
> (I didn't listen at this, I know it only the name)

**An OK, but very old amp.

>
> Carver M-400 Magnetic Field
> (like Phase Linear)

**A sonic disaster. DON'T touch it!

>
> Denon POA 2200/2400
> (I've listened at those, and they seem good)

**An OK amp.

>
> Quad 303
> (Like Phase and Carver)

**Ancient, underpowered and crap. Your 971 will clobber it in every way.

>
> Yamaha M 4
> (Very very good indeed! But so Ugly!)

**Crap.

>
> There's a Linn POWERTEK too, that I know only by reputation, that is a
> little over the budget. What is it?

**Dunno. I worked on a Linn Intek a few months ago. It was a surprisingly
excellent design. Bloody expensive though.

> There's a Threshold T300 too. But I don't know the price, and I think it
> will be very expensive.

**Indeed. A damned good amp.

>
> Thanks a lot to all the friends who will help me.

**Your 971 is a pretty decent amp. You will need to buy a REALLY good amp to
make an appreciable improvement. I don't know where you, so it is difficult
to advise you. In the US, you could look at the Odyssey Stratos. Very nice.
In other locales, other choices may be appropriate.


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

[[email protected]]

Most of the solid state Quad amps I have heard sounded pretty good.
They are usually fairly old. I am not a huge fan of the old Quad tube
amp, it's one of my least favorite old tube amps. It's very underpowerd
for its tubes-the overpriced KT66. I prefer the 807, the later 6L6
variants, the EL34 and the 6550. Pretty much in that order.

[Trevor Wilson]

"Paul Dormer" > wrote in message
...
> "Trevor Wilson" emitted :
>>
>>**Your 971 is a pretty decent amp. You will need to buy a REALLY good amp
>>to
>>make an appreciable improvement. I don't know where you, so it is
>>difficult
>>to advise you. In the US, you could look at the Odyssey Stratos. Very
>>nice.
>>In other locales, other choices may be appropriate.
>
> I don't think I've seen you comment on Primare before. Have you an
> opinion on their amps?

**Attractive, underperforming and over-priced.


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au