Amplifier substitution, purchase advices

[Tassadar]

Hello people,

recently i've bought a wiim ultra and added to my setup. Unfortunately my stereo amplifier has falied so i need to substitute it. I''ve read some threads and i'm thinking about Audiophonics HPA-S600NCX but i accept options and advices.
I'd like to add a headphone amplifier too.

All other chain elements:

- Speakers: Kilpsch RF82
- Turntable: Dual 601 + Audio Technica 440mla
- Panasonic blue ray player (connected optically to wiim)
- Headphones: hifiman sundara

What should i buy? Maximum budget around 2000

 

[RandomEar]

The RF82 seem to be very efficient (98 dB @2.83 V/1 m), so you probably don't need 600 W, but it also doesn't hurt to have it. You can just set the gain to one of the lower settings. The amp is definitely a good choice.

If you use the Wiim Ultra, it looks like there's only one set of line level outputs, which means you can't connect a purely analog headphone amp as that output will already be in use for the HPA-S600NCX. But there is an optical out, which means a headphone amp + DAC combo with S/PDIF input would work fine. The Sundara isn't the most sensitive headphone and the impedance is 40 Ohms, but unless you want to blow out your eardrums, something like a DX3 Pro+ should deliver more than enough power.

 

[AnalogSteph]

The RF82 seem to be very efficient (98 dB @2.83 V/1 m),

On paper. Klipsch's sensitivity spec is not for the standard anechoic conditions but in fact 2π in-room, which gives a boost of around 6 dB and at times even higher.

The 82 II at least still proved an above average sensitivity speaker, though I would call more than 95 dB a stretch and the critical bass and low midrange is at more like 93 dB. Not bad going for a dual 8" for sure, but EQ will be required to tame the brightness (so good thing that the WiiM Ultra sports a 10-band PEQ).

Either way, an honest 80-100 wpc amp would drive these to 110+ dB SPL if you do the math. A more modest AP300-S250NC at less than half the price may actually be quite sufficient.

The Sundara isn't the most sensitive headphone and the impedance is 40 Ohms, but unless you want to blow out your eardrums, something like a DX3 Pro+ should deliver more than enough power.

Or an SMSL DL200 or DL100. And the USB output should be another option for connecting them.

 

[RandomEar]

@AnalogSteph I was wondering how they reach that sensitivity but couldn't find a response plot to cross check it. I assume this one is for the RF82 II? The OP seems to have the predecessor, but I don't know what the difference is.

 

[JeremyFife]

That's a cracking Amp. You can get a different one and for your budget there are plenty of options - but nothing that sounds better.

Some manufacturers do get love here, you started with Audiophonics so I assume you are in Europe: Boxem, or Apollon spring to mind.

I don't think you can go wrong

 

[Tassadar]

Hello guys, thanks for the answers!
Actually I've the klipsch rf 82 which are the rf-82 ii predecessors. I don't think there are huge differences between them.
Actually I've the sundara with 4.4 balanced cable which I use with my pc. So I'd prefer to buy a new dac amp with that connection... so my preference is for smsl. Are there any chances to find "an smsl dl200 with 12v trigger"?
My intentions are of course to use the PEQ of wiim to get a more neutral response in room

 

[RandomEar]

Unfortunately, I don't think SMSL offers any device with a 12 V trigger.