Donald DAC
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2022
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Hi!
First post here, seems like a great place to be
. I'm trying to straighten my thoughts out and post this wider post in this area.
I want to get better 2 channel music sound and summarize my situation below. The Yamaha receiver can't handle the Kanta speakers in a good way (too weak amps probably) and also the preamp stage as well as the signal out through pre out using the Yamahas Spotify Connect client feels "weak" thus I think a dedicated streamer is also worth it.
Today I have:
Listening to Pop, Rock, Electronic music, ... These quite sensitive speakers (beryllium tweeters) need better equipment conditions as the situation easily get tiring after a while.
I still want to use the Yamaha AMP for center and surround for movies and TV. I like the efficiency of Class D and that is what I aim to invest in, although I am afraid it might feel "lifeless" and bright. What system setups can you recommend for the Focal Kanta 2 speakers (that are a bit brighter in sound and have a tricky load) in regards to:
Preamp/DAC:
Thanks a lot!
First post here, seems like a great place to be
I want to get better 2 channel music sound and summarize my situation below. The Yamaha receiver can't handle the Kanta speakers in a good way (too weak amps probably) and also the preamp stage as well as the signal out through pre out using the Yamahas Spotify Connect client feels "weak" thus I think a dedicated streamer is also worth it.
Today I have:
- Yamaha RX-A2080 HT receiver running 5.1 system
- 2 x Focal Kanta 2, front speakers
- 1 x Focal Aria CC900, center
- 2 x Focal SR900, surround
- 2 x XTZ 10.17 Edge subwoofers
- (LG OLED TV, 65 inch)
Listening to Pop, Rock, Electronic music, ... These quite sensitive speakers (beryllium tweeters) need better equipment conditions as the situation easily get tiring after a while.
I still want to use the Yamaha AMP for center and surround for movies and TV. I like the efficiency of Class D and that is what I aim to invest in, although I am afraid it might feel "lifeless" and bright. What system setups can you recommend for the Focal Kanta 2 speakers (that are a bit brighter in sound and have a tricky load) in regards to:
- Preamp/Dac Budget <1200€, good if lower
- Must have volume control and remote.
- Probably a touch of warmth. Not too bright.
- Subwoofer out is a bonus but I can run the Kantas as stand alone too.
- Would like to have HT bypass (if there are suitable models) mode so I can connect to pre out from Yamaha for 5.1 DTS/DD sound for movies and TV. (China DAC, miniDSP SHD, other)
- Amplifier Budget < 2000€, preferably less.
- Looking into the class D amplifiers.
- What models would you recommend?
- 2 mono or one stereo, audio quality diffences?
- What about nCore or Purify?
- Streamer Budget < 500€
- Listening mainly on Spotify Connect today, but will probably move to more hires providers like Tidal or Qobuz.
- (thinking about iFi Zen stream)
Preamp/DAC:
- SMSL D400EX, more expensive
- SMSL D300, not so expensive
- Some kind of miniDSP, with Dirac.
- Nuprime STA 9X: https://www.homecinesolutions.fr/p/23060-nuprime-dac-9x-noir
- Purify based: Audophonic Purify AMP
Thanks a lot!