Amplifier/DAC for Heco Aurora 700 speakers

[ND1]

Hello everyone!

I'm building my first setup and recently bought Heco Aurora 700 speakers and thinking about amplifier/DAC stack. Audio source - PC.
So here is my choices, what I'm able to find in my small (Estonia) market:

Yamaha A-S701, No USB input, 650 Eur.
Yamaha A-S801, USB, 840 Eur.
Rotel RB-1552MKII, additional DAC is needed. 850 Eur + 100-300 Eur.
Nad C368, No USB input. 1000 Eur + 100-300 Eur.

The cheapest and simplest option for me is Yamaha A-S801. But if I understand correctly, Heco 700 will not have all possible sound and bass details with that integrated amplifier. Rotel is more expensive option + I need to buy some DAC (with preamp in one box) for it (100-300 Euros budget).
Nad at least has optical input, but it's also expensive.

So my question is, do I need to save money for Rotel + Preamp-DAC (possible the best price-quality ratio), or stick with Yamaha?
And what DAC in that price range will be enough for Rotel + Heco setup?

Thanks!

 

[voodooless]

Why not get a Hypex or Purify amp and a decently cheap Topping DAC?

For instance:

AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S125NC XLR Stereo Class D Power Amplifier NCore 2x125W 4 Ohm - Audiophonics

The Audiophonics PAS-125NC incorporates a Hypex Ncore NC122MP power amplifier module. This is a solid base to build a powerful stereo HiFi system, capable of delivering 2x75W under 8Ω.

www.audiophonics.fr

TOPPING D30 PRO Balanced DAC 4x CS43198 32bit 384kHz DSD256 Black - Audiophonics

Powerful and compact balanced DAC, the digital-to-analog conversion stage of the Topping D30 Pro is based on no less than four Cirrus Logic CS43198 chips. These enable it to support high sample rates up to 32bit 768kHz PCM and DSD256.

www.audiophonics.fr

From your list I would probably go with the NAD. Incidentally it used Hypex modules, so should deliver solid performance. It’s not even bad value if you see that the DAC + amp I linked is also 800 euro’s already.

 

[ND1]

Hypex or Purify amp

Don't know anything about that, will check!

My idea was to get some amp + for example Jds Labs Atom Amp+ for volume control and Jds Labs DAC+

 

[ND1]

It’s not even bad value if you see that the DAC + amp I linked is also 800 euro’s already.

So, in terms of all possible quality for money - which setup will win? Your combo is 730 Eur, Rotel + some DAC will be ~1150, Nad - 1300.
Will I even hear some difference?

 

[voodooless]

So, in terms of all possible quality for money - which setup will win? Your combo is 730 Eur, Rotel + some DAC will be ~1150, Nad - 1300.

They are quite different animals. The Rotel and amp I linked are power amps, the NAD is integrated. It will have a more advanced feature set. You’ll need to see if you need that. You don’t need to buy an extension module. A cheap USB to spdif box will do just fine (about €50). Possibly the c338 would also offer enough power.

Will I even hear some difference?

Probably not.

Sine your speakers are quite efficient, you could also have a look at Topping PA5.

 

[ND1]

Topping PA5.

Thank you very much for the info! Can you please check https://www.heco-audio.de/en/detail/index/sArticle/3000772 Heco specs, are they applicable for PA5?

And for example PA5 + D30 Pro vs Yamaha A-S801? Is it worth?

 

[voodooless]

Looks wise the D50 is a better match to the PA5. Also available as a set.