Do I need a power amp?

[DanielT]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question.
Looks like the consensus ranges from No to probably not...

Some of you have suggested a Class D alternative.

I'm not convinced (old school, stubborn, plain dumb?) but I'm happy to try new things if they don't cost too much - and that seems to be one of class D's strengths.

If I were to get a class D power amp/s and use my A10 as a pre, would I be hearing 100% Class D sound? ie: would the Rotel simply be acting as a big selector switch for the source with controls? Or would it colour the end result?
Thinking a pair of Fosi V3 monoblocks might be worth trying to test the waters before committing to a "better" class D, or deciding I don't need more power.

If you use more than one input, or if you use the Rotel A10’s tone controls, then sure—it might be a good idea to use it as a preamp. Otherwise, probably not—but hey, you already have it, so you might as well give it a try if you want to test out a Class D amp.
BUT I don't think you'll hear any difference (unless you imagine it) between your Rotel A10 and a pair of Fosi V3 monoblocks.

If you haven’t already,... try using EQ; that’s where you can really hear the difference. Buy a WiiM Mini streamer/DAC for around $110; it has an automatic EQ function that measures and sets up an EQ/frequency curve tailored to your room and speakers. It’s a plug-and-play feature—super easy to use.
You can use your mobile phone’s microphone for measurements, but I recommend the UMIK-1 measurement microphone (around $130) for better, more accurate results.
Just make sure your tablet or mobile phone supports that microphone.

 

[jspinks321]

It does its still very much the just more gear is better sometimes but a good external rack power amp is a powerful mic tool look at it that way. I'm bad with what some of it is though...I'm bad with what humbuckers are again and just the quality hasn't been there and too dull...now the single coils not always had that lively jazz sound that's really go to. its what i'm thinking agian the single capable of reproducing most sounds and sounds a lot like a mic more sometimes.

You may not be able to call it without looking at it..You need to think weather or not you like digital/dsp quality or it might be or back to the analog world.

 

[Thighsofsteel]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question.
Looks like the consensus ranges from No to probably not...

Some of you have suggested a Class D alternative.

I'm not convinced (old school, stubborn, plain dumb?) but I'm happy to try new things if they don't cost too much - and that seems to be one of class D's strengths.

If I were to get a class D power amp/s and use my A10 as a pre, would I be hearing 100% Class D sound? ie: would the Rotel simply be acting as a big selector switch for the source with controls? Or would it colour the end result?
Thinking a pair of Fosi V3 monoblocks might be worth trying to test the waters before committing to a "better" class D, or deciding I don't need more power.

I don’t think it was an alternative as such. I think people are saying what you have is perfectly fine.
BUT! If you are set on buying something just because you can, then the Buckeye product is state of the art.

 

[Gard]

Your normal listening distance is quite small so you may not need a more powerful amplifier. Simple test: wind up the volume on bass heavy music until it sounds uncomfortably loud, if it’s undistorted then the amp has sufficient power. The amp itself has a reasonably good spec and although many more expensive amps offer lower distortion etc they probably won’t sound significantly better in your listening environment.
Otherwise if you know someone with a much better amp try a simple test to see if it sounds better - but beware of confirmation bias . . .

I listened to "Big Bad John" at levels I found uncomfortably loud, and could not hear any distortion.
Any other tracks I should try? Or is that a good enough test?

Short answer: No
Your Rotel is perfectly adequate. Changing the amp will not objectively change what you ear.
Paying attention on where those Elac are positioned in the room, the room itself and where you listen from can have a huge impact.

Thankyou.
In my small room there isn't much wiggle room in placement, but I have experimented and have done the best I can.
Speakers are either side of my desk, they can't get further (~40cm) from the side walls unless I put them ON my desk.
They are ~ 50cm from the front wall (behind them).
I have heavy drapes on the front wall and 90mm thick panels on both side walls at the point of 1st reflection. Planning on adding one on the ceiling too.
Have also experimented with toe-in. Both aimed a little behind my head seems to work best.
The tweeters are at ear level.

I should make it clear.
I LOVE the way they sound.
Other owners say they are "under-amped".
Even AI said I would benefit from more amp - but I suspect it just likes spending my $$$.



I'm glad I asked this question on this forum.
I think you good people have saved my ~ $1600 Aud.

 

[Mart68]

Even AI said I would benefit from more amp

AI just cribs its answers from the internet. Most of what is written on the internet about audio is incorrect, so most of what it says is incorrect.

 

[dogmamann]

Hi all.
I recently replaced my Polk RT1A1's with some Elac Vela 403.2 speakers, and they sound great!
But on the Elac FB page everyone says I need a bigger amp / power amp to get the best from them.

My current amp is a Rotel A10, at 40w (into 8 ohms) which meets the minimum requirements.
The speakers are 4 ohm, and dip as low as 3.2

I am mostly listening at low volumes (<80Db) in a small room, seated only ~ 130cm from the speakers.
I do crank them up a bit on occasions if I'm doing stuff in another room.

My question is: will a power amp improve SQ? Or is it a waste of $ in a room this size at my usual listening levels?

I'm looking specifically at the Rotel RB-1552 mk2, to match my other gear.

Elac velas have nasty distortion in upper midrange when pushed. It cannot be fixed with a power amp

 

[Multicore]

If you use more than one input, or if you use the Rotel A10’s tone controls, then sure—it might be a good idea to use it as a preamp.

A10 doesn't have a line out.

 

[DanielT]

A10 doesn't have a line out.

Yes, it does:

It is the Rotel A10 Mk II that doesn't have a pre-out.

 

[Cote Dazur]

I have heavy drapes on the front wall and 90mm thick panels on both side walls at the point of 1st reflection. Planning on adding one on the ceiling too.

Congratulation, it seems you understand what needs to be done.
Balance is key, don't over do it, unless you have room measurements pointing at some glaring issues.

 

[Multicore]

Yes, it does:
View attachment 551602
It is the Rotel A10 Mk II that doesn't have a pre-out.

Ah, then that's an important difference in this discussion.

@Gard does your A10 have line out?

 

[Gard]

Ah, then that's an important difference in this discussion.

@Gard does your A10 have line out?

Mine is the older version. It has pre-out's.

 

[Multicore]

Mine is the older version. It has pre-out's.

Well then, what are you in the mood for?

 

[Flaesh]

Any other tracks I should try?

For example this good test https://www.digido.com/portfolio-item/we-have-lift-off-now-in-surround/ (as always, thanks to @dasdoing ))
But be careful with your favorite speakers and power, watch (or better yet, understand in advance the dependence of the displacement on the frequency) out for cone displacement!! Depending on the quality factor, power and mechanical solidity of the speakers, the test (and others like that) can be destructive.

I recently heard an audiophile say that a more powerful amplifier is simply better; he is ready easily distinguish between any 50 and 500 watts in a blind test, if both are running at, say, 5 or 0.5 watts.

 

[pinger]

AI just cribs its answers from the internet. Most of what is written on the internet about audio is incorrect, so most of what it says is incorrect.

Garbage in, garbage out

 

[Thighsofsteel]

AI just cribs its answers from the internet. Most of what is written on the internet about audio is incorrect, so most of what it says is incorrect.

It is unless you tie it down with a specific question or counter its initial answer and say things like. ‘ sorry that is just audiophile nonsense there is no difference in xxxxx when tested ‘. Or words to that effect.
Also if you ask for data to backup certain answers it will direct it towards a more scientific answer.

 

[Mart68]

It is unless you tie it down with a specific question or counter its initial answer and say things like. ‘ sorry that is just audiophile nonsense there is no difference in xxxxx when tested ‘. Or words to that effect.
Also if you ask for data to backup certain answers it will direct it towards a more scientific answer.

It can be used properly I agree. It just isn't, mostly, at least as far as audio is concerned. Although it can provide some unintentional mirth. Quite a few posts on forums along the lines of 'I asked AI why my system is so good, here's what it said'. It's pretty good at blowing smoke. I hate that plus I hate that it's 'chatty.'

I suppose that all started with 'Clippy' years ago, although 'Hitch Hikers Guide' and 'Red Dwarf' both predicted there would be chatty machines in the future. And how incredibly irritating they would be.