Pixelhead
Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2021
- Messages
- 17
- Likes
- 6
I recently acquired a set of Ohm Walsh 2000 speakers which are being driven by a Buckeye amp that is based on Hypex NC502MP module that's 350w/ch @ 8ohms, 500w/ch @ 4ohms and I have been unable to achieve satisfactory volume levels. The speaker manufacturer recommends a 40-200/ch watts amp for these 6Ω 88 dB speakers. I'm assuming the amp is up to the job and it's just the source that's not putting out enough juice.
My music source is a Bluesound Node (not the 2i... the most recent), which is also serving as a preamp. It seems that it is not putting out the same level of signal that a true preamp would deliver and would be best supplemented with an active preamp? When the volume is at full, it is loud-ish, but by no means excessive. I wish I could go about 25% louder when watching movies and for some music.
My sources are my TV via HDMI ARC for movies (driving just two channels), Spotify and music from my phone via Apple Play 2.
So, I'm wondering what you'd suggest for obtaining higher volume levels without breaking the bank. Are DACs that claim to have variable output not able to replace a preamp volume-wise? Should I replace the Bluesound Node with an Airport Express gen 2 that is compatible with Airplay 2 and an offers an digital optical out and hook that to a DAC such as the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 and connect the digital out from my TV to the same unit. Can it achieve true pre-amp level outputs to the amp? Or maybe a Marantz NA6006 which supports airplay 2 and use the digital outs of my TV.
I don't want to spend more than $1k on the DAC/Streamer/Preamp that must support Airplay 2 (although I can obtain an Airport Express gen 2 for about $35 which would give me Airport 2 with optical digital out)
Advice? What do I need to consider?
My music source is a Bluesound Node (not the 2i... the most recent), which is also serving as a preamp. It seems that it is not putting out the same level of signal that a true preamp would deliver and would be best supplemented with an active preamp? When the volume is at full, it is loud-ish, but by no means excessive. I wish I could go about 25% louder when watching movies and for some music.
My sources are my TV via HDMI ARC for movies (driving just two channels), Spotify and music from my phone via Apple Play 2.
So, I'm wondering what you'd suggest for obtaining higher volume levels without breaking the bank. Are DACs that claim to have variable output not able to replace a preamp volume-wise? Should I replace the Bluesound Node with an Airport Express gen 2 that is compatible with Airplay 2 and an offers an digital optical out and hook that to a DAC such as the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 and connect the digital out from my TV to the same unit. Can it achieve true pre-amp level outputs to the amp? Or maybe a Marantz NA6006 which supports airplay 2 and use the digital outs of my TV.
I don't want to spend more than $1k on the DAC/Streamer/Preamp that must support Airplay 2 (although I can obtain an Airport Express gen 2 for about $35 which would give me Airport 2 with optical digital out)
Advice? What do I need to consider?