Amp for Reference 1 Metas

[Melodic]

The amplifier shown in post #21 is rated down to 2 Ohm.

Are you looking for a power amp, integrated amp , AVR ? I can't really tell.

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

As GXAlan said, the focus has mostly been on AVRs and AIOs, but I am very much willing to just go with a power amp or the like. As for the Buckeye, I understand that it is perhaps silly, but I am very hesitant to get an amp that can output so much more power than my speakers can handle.

 

[Melodic]

His wishlist includes eARC, so the recommendations have pretty much been AVRs or AIO’s

Sony TA-AN1000 (Test)

audiovision.de

View attachment 389993
3.2 ohms is not the worst and this did 106W x 5 ch into 4 ohms

By comparison, the Marantz Cinema 60
View attachment 389994

Which is barely better for that 4 ohm, 5 channels.

The Cinema 60 only has basic Audyssey and is $1000 refurb, as opposed to the Sony which is $700 new.

My vote is the Sony *if* we are sticking to strict budgets. It has an independent review in Germany, you can buy it new from somewhere like Crutchfield and drop ship to Amir for testing. The JBL is also the wildcard. If it measures well, it’s definitely an attractive AVR.

It is a tough choice between the Sony and JBL. Still, I'm sure that I would be perfectly fine with the safe and known Sony. My main problem with it was the impedance as it never specifies that it can do 3.2 ohms, but looking at your graphs and the fact that its rating were for so many channels it seems like it would work. I'll have to think on this some more on this. I wouldn't mind some not-so-strictly budgeted suggestions either you think that there is something that fits my use case significantly better!

 

[JustJones]

It is a tough choice between the Sony and JBL. Still, I'm sure that I would be perfectly fine with the safe and known Sony. My main problem with it was the impedance as it never specifies that it can do 3.2 ohms, but looking at your graphs and the fact that its rating were for so many channels it seems like it would work. I'll have to think on this some more on this. I wouldn't mind some not-so-strictly budgeted suggestions either you think that there is something that fits my use case significantly better!

Less powerful amp

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

Streamer/preamp

WiiM Ultra (Space Gray)

Streaming music player and digital preamp with Wi-Fi®, Google Cast, Bluetooth®, and 3.5" touchscreen

www.crutchfield.com

AVR

Denon AVR-X4800H AVR Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Denon AVR-X4800H 9.4 home theater receiver. It was kindly drop shipped by a member and costs US $2499. While the look is the same as previous generations, the feel of the control knobs is much improved which I appreciate. Menu system is also...

audiosciencereview.com

 

[GXAlan]

nc252mp / WiiM ultra / AVR-X4800H

Not sure you really need the HypeX if you have the X4800H running in stereo mode. When I had the Monolith 8125X there was a big drop in performance with single ended connections. I really like my WiiM Pro going straight to active speakers, but HEOS is not as horrible as people say when cost is a concern.

The challenge is that the OP said:
“I have a budget of about 700 dollars”
“Earc would be fantastic”

That makes this exercise/thought experiment a lot harder!

 

[JustJones]

I didn't write it very well. The first buckeye amp and Wiim was one option. The Denon was a second option. I was responding to this trying not to go to far over the $700 with option 1. Power amp and Wiim
option 2. Denon AVR for about $2500 was Higher price and you could get Dirac license later on.

I wouldn't mind some not-so-strictly budgeted suggestions either you think that there is something that fits my use case significantly better!

 

[Melodic]

Not sure you really need the HypeX if you have the X4800H running in stereo mode. When I had the Monolith 8125X there was a big drop in performance with single ended connections. I really like my WiiM Pro going straight to active speakers, but HEOS is not as horrible as people say when cost is a concern.

The challenge is that the OP said:
“I have a budget of about 700 dollars”
“Earc would be fantastic”

That makes this exercise/thought experiment a lot harder!

I didn't write it very well. The first buckeye amp and Wiim was one option. The Denon was a second option. I was responding to this trying not to go to far over the $700 with option 1. Power amp and Wiim
option 2. Denon AVR for about $2500 was Higher price and you could get Dirac license later on.

Hello, again. I have narrowed down my choices to 2 different amplifiers. I am thinking either the Denon x4800h or the Arcam a25 plus minidsp flex ht. I'm favoring the Denon right now as it would be maybe 500 dollars cheaper where I am. Is that going to be good or do you think that the extra expense is worth it? Thank you.

 

[GXAlan]

Hello, again. I have narrowed down my choices to 2 different amplifiers. I am thinking either the Denon x4800h or the Arcam a25 plus minidsp flex ht. I'm favoring the Denon right now as it would be maybe 500 dollars cheaper where I am. Is that going to be good or do you think that the extra expense is worth it? Thank you.

Go for the Denon. It’s a superb choice especially if you grab the Audyssey iOS app to adjust your target curve.

 

[Melodic]

Go for the Denon. It’s a superb choice especially if you grab the Audyssey iOS app to adjust your target curve.

Awesome, thanks.

 

[GXAlan]

Awesome, thanks.

And in case people ask why
1) Single box
2) Proven HDMI compatibility with eARC
3) DLBC upgrade option (not available with MiniDSP) but Audyssey may be sufficient.
4) Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization.
5) Sufficient power since it will do 175W as measured here but do short term more.

 

[Melodic]

I didn't write it very well. The first buckeye amp and Wiim was one option. The Denon was a second option. I was responding to this trying not to go to far over the $700 with option 1. Power amp and Wiim
option 2. Denon AVR for about $2500 was Higher price and you could get Dirac license later on.

And in case people ask why
1) Single box
2) Proven HDMI compatibility with eARC
3) DLBC upgrade option (not available with MiniDSP) but Audyssey may be sufficient.
4) Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization.
5) Sufficient power since it will do 175W as measured here but do short term more.

Alright, Thank you both and the everybody else for helping me. I just ordered the Denon x4800h from Accesories4less!