Can't Decide on Amp. Nad, Rotel, Rega

[AvailMail]

Hello!
I am planning to buy an amplifier, but I got analysis paralysis .
Music I listen to is classic rock, rock, metal.
Let's not take my current speakers into account, because I will be buying new speakers which will match my amp.

I found some options for sale: (second hand)
1. Combo of Nad 2400/3020a (to use as power amp, pre amp combination or bridge or bi amp)
2. Combo of Nad c270bee/c370bee (to use as power amp, pre amp combination or bridge or bi amp)
3. Rotel Ra-1062
4. Nad C370bee
5. Rega Elex 1 (year 1990)

Nad combinations and Rotel price are the same.
C370 alone is little bit cheaper, but if its worth to hook it with c270, I would spend an extra.
Rega Elex price is similar to one c370bee.
I won't listen music very loudly, I most interested in the music quality.

I'm very lost. I don't know how much of music quality I would get from two hooked up Nads. Because I can save up for Rega Brio or some else amplifier. I'm just mentioning Rega Brio, because I read forum, and reviews were good.
Nads combo is 350eur, and new Rega Brio is 600eur.
But I read, some people said that to match combo of nads c270/c370 would take thousands of dollars. But I do not know if this is really true?

If Rega Brio would better option I wouldn't mind paying more.
Or maybe there is some better uses amp for that price?
I could buy used Nad c375/new Nad c368 for the price of new Brio Rega (c368 is little bit pricier, 800eur). But I don't have any knowledge which one would have better music quality. On whathifi website Nad c375 got only 3 stars. Though I'm not saying that they are right, just mentioning.

Or maybe I should look at some other manufacturer?
From reading forum I somehow didn't like
Marantz amplifiers and Cambridge Audio cx a60/ cx a80. But I can be very wrong.

I found that Parasound , Naim 5 are good, but they are over my price range.

Sorry for the long thread, but I love listening to music and I really want to invest into this hobby and it seems that I want "best amp for the buck". That's why I don't want to buy any amp that matches my budget.

I have no knowledge about amps, my journey just begins
I would be very very grateful for your insights and help!
What are your opinions on those amplifiers? What would you
choose in this case?
Thank you!

 

[Svend P]

The amount of power you need depends on the speakers. So I would buy speakers first. And consider active speakers, since internal DSP has some advantages over passive speakers.

 

[BDWoody]

Let's not take my current speakers into account, because I will be buying new speakers which will match my amp.

Welcome!

I think most of us here might suggest the opposite approach, which is to select your speakers first, then choose an amp that suits them and their use, not the other way around.

Electronics are generally very good these days, and the differences between well chosen, competent amps is going to be very small. I have amps from Krell, Bryston, Adcom, Devialet and others in addition to a Denon receiver, and I am quite sure I couldn't tell them apart if I didn't know which one was playing. The speakers and the room they are in is where most of your attention (and your money) can safely go to give you the best chance at a great result.

With that said, what speakers are you considering, and how big is the space they will be in?

 

[AvailMail]

Welcome!

I think most of us here might suggest the opposite approach, which is to select your speakers first, then choose an amp that suits them and their use, not the other way around.

Electronics are generally very good these days, and the differences between well chosen, competent amps is going to be very small. I have amps from Krell, Bryston, Adcom, Devialet and others in addition to a Denon receiver, and I am quite sure I couldn't tell them apart if I didn't know which one was playing. The speakers and the room they are in is where most of your attention (and your money) can safely go to give you the best chance at a great result.

With that said, what speakers are you considering, and how big is the space they will be in?

Thank You!

I read about Krell, Bryston. Very good manufacturers, nice systems you have!
They are in a whole different league!

My options are not so quite new. That Rega is made in 1990. Most concern to me is really hooked up/bi amped Nads really gives much better quality than a some single integrated amp which I could buy for 350eur. Some are saying they would match a system that costs few thousands euros. If thats true, than its better to buy this set than for example Rega Brio, though if it's not true, I will make a big mistake.

At the moment I don't have any particular speakers in mind. Will do a research on them too.
Now I have Technics cs65, 8ohms. So for sometime I will use them, until I save up for some decent speakers. Im planning to spend around 500eur on speakers.
The room is about 24 square meters (258sq. feet).

Thank you for answering!

 

[Petevid]

Look at the reviews on here for the Wharfedale 12.1s as good as any speakers around 500 euros. Any of those amps you have mentioned will drive them , pick the amp you like the look, feel, and price of . I would buy a more recent amp though, new or secondhand like the Wiim Amp, Yamaha AS301 or Nad D3020.

 

[Soniclife]

Also in the decide speakers first, then amps camp.

What amp do you have now?

How far away from the speakers do you listen.

 

[BDWoody]

I read about Krell, Bryston. Very good manufacturers, nice systems you have!
They are in a whole different league!

Thank you, but the point is that they don't make anything sound better than my Denon AVR, assuming nothing is driven to clipping.

Focus less on electronics... That's the easy part.

I actually ended up with powered monitors for my main listening space (JBL708P), so all those fancy amps aren't even being used right now.

Thank you for answering!

Thank you for joining!

 

[fredoamigo]

Hello!
I am planning to buy an amplifier, but I got analysis paralysis .
Music I listen to is classic rock, rock, metal.
Let's not take my current speakers into account, because I will be buying new speakers which will match my amp.

I found some options for sale: (second hand)
1. Combo of Nad 2400/3020a (to use as power amp, pre amp combination or bridge or bi amp)
2. Combo of Nad c270bee/c370bee (to use as power amp, pre amp combination or bridge or bi amp)
3. Rotel Ra-1062
4. Nad C370bee
5. Rega Elex 1 (year 1990)

Nad combinations and Rotel price are the same.
C370 alone is little bit cheaper, but if its worth to hook it with c270, I would spend an extra.
Rega Elex price is similar to one c370bee.
I won't listen music very loudly, I most interested in the music quality.

I'm very lost. I don't know how much of music quality I would get from two hooked up Nads. Because I can save up for Rega Brio or some else amplifier. I'm just mentioning Rega Brio, because I read forum, and reviews were good.
Nads combo is 350eur, and new Rega Brio is 600eur.
But I read, some people said that to match combo of nads c270/c370 would take thousands of dollars. But I do not know if this is really true?

If Rega Brio would better option I wouldn't mind paying more.
Or maybe there is some better uses amp for that price?
I could buy used Nad c375/new Nad c368 for the price of new Brio Rega (c368 is little bit pricier, 800eur). But I don't have any knowledge which one would have better music quality. On whathifi website Nad c375 got only 3 stars. Though I'm not saying that they are right, just mentioning.

Or maybe I should look at some other manufacturer?
From reading forum I somehow didn't like
Marantz amplifiers and Cambridge Audio cx a60/ cx a80. But I can be very wrong.

I found that Parasound , Naim 5 are good, but they are over my price range.

Sorry for the long thread, but I love listening to music and I really want to invest into this hobby and it seems that I want "best amp for the buck". That's why I don't want to buy any amp that matches my budget.

I have no knowledge about amps, my journey just begins
I would be very very grateful for your insights and help!
What are your opinions on those amplifiers? What would you
choose in this case?
Thank you!

Hello !! If I understood correctly, you are looking for an integrated amplifier with a budget of 500 USD or euros. Try to choose the most powerful amp possible because not only is power never harmful, unlike a lack of power, but it will also give you greater flexibility in choosing your speakers without having to ask too many questions. With that budget, I would look into the second-hand market where you can find some great deals if you choose well-established and not too esoteric brands. NAD and YAMAHA are good options, but you have many choices.

 

[AvailMail]

Look at the reviews on here for the Wharfedale 12.1s as good as any speakers around 500 euros. Any of those amps you have mentioned will drive them , pick the amp you like the look, feel, and price of . I would buy a more recent amp though, new or secondhand like the Wiim Amp, Yamaha AS301 or Nad D3020.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Thats the problem I that I cannot decide on an amp!
More recent amp from my list would be Regia Brio. But I dont know if its a good choice, though I read good reviews about it.
I read that yamaha's are good! I read that they are less "punchy" than Nads. If punchy is the correct term

 

[Svend P]

You have to accept that what you thought you knew about hifi is not true. Amplifiers do not make a difference. Stop obsessing over it. Spend 90% of your budget on speakers.

 

[VMAT4]

Thanks for the recommendation!

Thats the problem I that I cannot decide on an amp!
More recent amp from my list would be Regia Brio. But I dont know if its a good choice, though I read good reviews about it.
I read that yamaha's are good! I read that they are less "punchy" than Nads. If punchy is the correct term

When it comes to amps, buy reliability. Yamaha amps are kings in that respect.

 

[AvailMail]

Also in the decide speakers first, then amps camp.

What amp do you have now?

How far away from the speakers do you listen.

I have no amp at the moment. Using music centre at the moment
Distance will be about 3 meters.

Thank you, but the point is that they don't make anything sound better than my Denon AVR, assuming nothing is driven to clipping.

Focus less on electronics... That's the easy part.

I actually ended up with powered monitors for my main listening space (JBL708P), so all those fancy amps aren't even being used right now.



Thank you for joining!

Your Denon AVR is good amp then! Maybe I should add it to my list, what exact model is that?

I can't focus less, it's just me. I can't buy anything before doing thorough research.
I invest my time before buying something.
My brains won't allow to do otherwise

I want to focus on amps for this time. After this I will focus on other things that are required.

I listened some amps who drove same speakers on youtube. Of course I couldn't tell which is better, but there was difference in sound. That's one of the reasons I want to consult with you about which amplifier to buy.

Hello !! If I understood correctly, you are looking for an integrated amplifier with a budget of 500 USD or euros. Try to choose the most powerful amp possible because not only is power never harmful, unlike a lack of power, but it will also give you greater flexibility in choosing your speakers without having to ask too many questions. With that budget, I would look into the second-hand market where you can find some great deals if you choose well-established and not too esoteric brands. NAD and YAMAHA are good options, but you have many choices.

Hello
I am looking into second hand market, the options I listed are all from second hand market.
But I very lack knowledge. For example should I choose bi amped c270/c370 or one integrated Rotel Ra-1062?
Does connecting two amps into one system gives great advantage? As I mentioned before, I read some comments. People were satisfied with hooking up two amps instead of one. Saying that to gain this kind of music quality, you would need an amp that costs thousands of euro. Then buying set of c270/c370 would be the best option from my listed.
But I wonder if that's really true? If not then I better add some money and buy new Rega Brio (or some other amp)

You have to accept that what you thought you knew about hifi is not true. Amplifiers do not make a difference. Stop obsessing over it. Spend 90% of your budget on speakers.

I understand this. But more or less, amplifier does have some effect. And I want to buy a decent option. I will buy speakers.

Thank you all for answering!

I would like to buy an amplifier first. One of the reasons is that on local second hand market they are very cheaper than on for example ebay. And if I buy some speakers, It's possible that I won't find a matching amplifier on local ads. There aren't very much of options to choose from. Supply is kinda limited compared to an ebay.

 

[Overseas]

Go with Fosi, Aiyma and likes. Enough power, low budget.

 

[Moonhead]

If you have neither speaker or amp, why not get some actives like Kali lp6.

 

[AvailMail]

Go with Fosi, Aiyma and likes. Enough power, low budget.

I checked Fosi,some new ones are for 200eur. Yes, low budget, but I wonder about music quality?

If you have neither speaker or amp, why not get some actives like Kali lp6.

At some point of life whe all didn't have nor amp nor speakers Everyone starts somewhere And I want to dive in higher music quality world

 

[voodooless]

Why not just get this:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-pro-streaming-stereo-amplifier-review.57257/

Or one of the streamer boxes if you go for active speakers

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Can't Decide on Amp. Nad, Rotel, Rega

Hello! I am planning to buy an amplifier, but I got analysis paralysis :). Music I listen to is classic rock, rock, metal. Let's not take my current speakers into account, because I will be buying new speakers which will match my amp. I found some options for sale: (second hand) 1. Combo of Nad 2...

www.stereonet.com

 

[voodooless]

Can't Decide on Amp. Nad, Rotel, Rega

Hello! I am planning to buy an amplifier, but I got analysis paralysis :). Music I listen to is classic rock, rock, metal. Let's not take my current speakers into account, because I will be buying new speakers which will match my amp. I found some options for sale: (second hand) 1. Combo of Nad 2...

www.stereonet.com

educating your ears

 

[Overseas]

I checked Fosi,some new ones are for 200eur. Yes, low budget, but I wonder about music quality?

I checked Fosi,some new ones are for 200eur. Yes, low budget, but I wonder about music quality?


At some point of life whe all didn't have nor amp nor speakers Everyone starts somewhere And I want to dive in higher music quality world

See Fosi or Aiyma reviewed on this forum. Very good sound. No problem.

 

[Ropeburn]

The amount of power you need depends on the speakers. So I would buy speakers first. And consider active speakers, since internal DSP has some advantages over passive speakers.

I'd say the opposite: power at quality has become quite cheap these days, especially used. If you can afford it (which OP certainly seems to be able to), why not buy a beefcake of an amp that can drive any speaker you would possibly get? Buy once, be done with the amp issue, then concentrate on choosing speakers.