• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

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

Yes, Why it is bad to do research. I listed some options. Maybe some people listened or have one of those amps and have some opinion about those, but I do not know are they are here or there. For example if you listened Rotel, you could give an opinion about it. But if you weren't here, but on stereonet, I wouldn't get that information
 
For example if you listened Rotel, you could give an opinion about it
They are amps, they don't have sound...! All of your options should be halfway decent amps, so other than power output and features, don't expect any differences in sound quality.
 
Yes, Why it is bad to do research. I listed some options. Maybe some people listened or have one of those amps and have some opinion about those, but I do not know are they are here or there. For example if you listened Rotel, you could give an opinion about it. But if you weren't here, but on stereonet, I wouldn't get that information
Here and on Stereonet (and no doubt on Steve Hoffmann), your research is telling the you the same thing: focus on your speakers first, then worry about the amp.
 
Maybe he talks about 2x mono.
In first post I wrote little bit broadly.
I just found that set of nads for sale in my price range. So I put it my list. I do not know if its a good option
I checked some diagrams that people do. power amp/preamp stereo combination, bridging, biamping, bi wiring.
So if that set is worth it, I could do that wiring.
But I don't know how will it enhance the music quality as I never endured two hooked up amplifiers into one system.

But I wouldn't want to do 2x mono. I guess stereo will sound better.

Honestly, I just want to buy a decent amp, but as I have no knowledge I am seeking for help.
For example maybe that rotel is better suited for classical music than Nad or vice versa. Or maybe it doesn't sound good at all.

If combination of two Nads really gives better music quality than Rega Brio, then I would go for Nads, if not I would go for Rega Brio.
I'm saying Rega Brio, because I read that it's a one of the best amps for it's price. It costs more than set of Nads, but I would like to invest more if I would be gaining better music quality. I want to experience a whole new world of music and I would like to invest in it.
 
Combining amps will damage the amps?
If you do it the wrong way, certainly. But that was not my point. The point is that it's a pointless exercise. There is no benefit to doing this. So just leave it to a simple stereo amp.

I'm saying Rega Brio, because I read that it's a one of the best amps for it's price
If it's this one, it's objectively not a very good amp. Very little power, and quite poor distortion performance.
 
If you do it the wrong way, certainly. But that was not my point. The point is that it's a pointless exercise. There is no benefit to doing this. So just leave it to a simple stereo amp.


If it's this one, it's objectively not a very good amp. Very little power, and quite poor distortion performance.
Thank you!
Understood. So combing them will not be something very "magical" :)

About Rega. If I understand correctly that review may be about older model.
New Rega Brio is this model: https://www.whathifi.com/rega/brio/review
 
Thank you!
Understood. So combing them will not be something very "magical" :)

About Rega. If I understand correctly that review may be about older model.
New Rega Brio is this model: https://www.whathifi.com/rega/brio/review
Hi,

But be aware that What HiFi provides you no measurements at all, so take their (therefore subjective) reviews and opinions at fave value.
 
Last edited:
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)
Personally, if I were in your situation and you primarily listen to digital music, I would choose a power amplifier like the NAD C 268 or something similar that can be bridged. I would pair it with a DAC preamplifier like those from TOPPING or SMSL. Later on, depending on your future speakers, you can always add another NAD C 268... or not.
The advantage of this solution is that it is completely modular according to your future budget and future speakers, unlike an integrated amplifier
 
Last edited:
That one is a lot better:


Although a fair bit of high frequency distortion, very curious for an AB amp.

Better get the WiiM Amp Pro that I mentioned before.
Thanks for the suggestion ! I will do some reading about Wiim Amp Pro. It's first time I guess I am hearing this manufacturer. Because everyone is talking about Marantz, Nads, Cambridge Audio and etc :)
Personally, if I were in your situation and you primarily listen to digital music, I would choose a power amplifier like the NAD C 268 or something similar that can be bridged. I would pair it with a DAC preamplifier like those from TOPPING or SMSL. Later on, depending on your future speakers, you can always add another NAD C 268... or not.
The advantage of this solution is that it is completely modular according to your future budget and future speakers, unlike an integrated amplifier
Advantage is really great! More freedom in the future. I listen to music via aux from my Sony Walkman player via cambridge audio aux 2RCA-3.5mm cable or CD's . Also I have plans to buy a turntable in the future.
You seem to have the money for some really good active speakers, that would outperform way more expensive options, as you don't intend to listen loud. Give them serious consideration.
I agree. @BDWoody gave some excellent option from JBL, but also consider active speakers for Kali, or if you have a bit more budget (or second hand) consider KH120 or Genelec 8030C.
Honestly I never thought about active speakers, and I don't know why. really :)
I never thought that they could outperform amp+speakers in the same price range. It makes me wonder, why people are buying amps and speakers, if they could go for active speakers?
But I guess I like the idea of having an amplifier better. The idea of it, the whole "process" , turning it on and listening to music. I like "oldschool" :)
 
Back
Top Bottom