Got the speakers! Need advice on amp part

[WalkingBrass]

Hello everyone,

I posted on the forum a few months ago asking for your recommendations for my first audio setup, but life got in the way and this purchase was delayed. I'm coming back to you today because it's finally the big day !

After long research into which speakers to choose, the two models I shortlisted were a pair of Sierra LX and the Linton 85ths. I finally opted for a pair of Linton 85ths, which I found second-hand in new condition with the stands for 600 euros.

I want the total budget for this first setup to be around 1000 euros (which is precisely why I leaned towards these speakers). The speakers just found their new home today, but... I'm missing everything else, haha.

I'm turning to you for advice on the components I'm missing !

I was initially thinking of getting a Yamaha A-S801 (or 701) amplifier, which I can find used for around 350 euros, but since my listening will be exclusively via streaming for now, I understand I'll need to add a streamer, which increases the budget. So I'm wondering if there isn't a way to get something better, or just as good, for less money, or just a better path forward.
It seems that Wiim streamers are highly recommended, but that I'd need to add a power amplifier to drive these speakers properly.
The models I've mentioned here are just the ones that seem to be recommended the most, but I'm not absolutely set on choosing between them if better options exist !
I must admit I'm a bit lost. Here is a brain dump of the different thoughts I currently have:

• An integrated amplifier would give me a lot of features (including tone control and loudness control) and the ability to add analog sources later (hypothetical, but I like having the option).
• Using a Wiim would give me access to EQ and room correction (which i'll probably need), but I'd need a power amplifier like a Fosi V3.
• Combining an integrated amp and a Wiim stretches my budget slightly, but I'm willing to do it if it's justified.
• There is too much contradictory information online, and I still don't know if different amps, and by extension different amp classes, actually produce a different sound, haha.
• I understand and have planned that once I can actually play sound at home, the absolute priority will be to work on speaker positioning. I plan to buy a microphone to take measurements, as my 25m2 living room has unusual shapes (pieces of walls on the ceiling) which I'm sure will degrade the sound, and I know correcting this will have the biggest impact.
• I think I might enjoy the warm and non-fatiguing listening from the Lintons and don't want to lose that, if amps actually influence the sound

Anyway, as you can see, my brain is a bit tangled after weeks of reading complete contradictions (damn you, Reddit !).

Could you please help me see things more clearly and advise me on the best, cheapest equipment to get a decent setup that will take full advantage of these speakers?

Thank you so much!

I might have posted in the wrong section. If so, I apologize, and I'll move the thread to the noobies section!

 

[MacCali]

Hello everyone,

I posted on the forum a few months ago asking for your recommendations for my first audio setup, but life got in the way and this purchase was delayed. I'm coming back to you today because it's finally the big day !

After long research into which speakers to choose, the two models I shortlisted were a pair of Sierra LX and the Linton 85ths. I finally opted for a pair of Linton 85ths, which I found second-hand in new condition with the stands for 600 euros.

I want the total budget for this first setup to be around 1000 euros (which is precisely why I leaned towards these speakers). The speakers just found their new home today, but... I'm missing everything else, haha.

I'm turning to you for advice on the components I'm missing !

I was initially thinking of getting a Yamaha A-S801 (or 701) amplifier, which I can find used for around 350 euros, but since my listening will be exclusively via streaming for now, I understand I'll need to add a streamer, which increases the budget. So I'm wondering if there isn't a way to get something better, or just as good, for less money, or just a better path forward.
It seems that Wiim streamers are highly recommended, but that I'd need to add a power amplifier to drive these speakers properly.
The models I've mentioned here are just the ones that seem to be recommended the most, but I'm not absolutely set on choosing between them if better options exist !
I must admit I'm a bit lost. Here is a brain dump of the different thoughts I currently have:

• An integrated amplifier would give me a lot of features (including tone control and loudness control) and the ability to add analog sources later (hypothetical, but I like having the option).
• Using a Wiim would give me access to EQ and room correction (which i'll probably need), but I'd need a power amplifier like a Fosi V3.
• Combining an integrated amp and a Wiim stretches my budget slightly, but I'm willing to do it if it's justified.
• There is too much contradictory information online, and I still don't know if different amps, and by extension different amp classes, actually produce a different sound, haha.
• I understand and have planned that once I can actually play sound at home, the absolute priority will be to work on speaker positioning. I plan to buy a microphone to take measurements, as my 25m2 living room has unusual shapes (pieces of walls on the ceiling) which I'm sure will degrade the sound, and I know correcting this will have the biggest impact.
• I think I might enjoy the warm and non-fatiguing listening from the Lintons and don't want to lose that, if amps actually influence the sound

Anyway, as you can see, my brain is a bit tangled after weeks of reading complete contradictions (damn you, Reddit !).

Could you please help me see things more clearly and advise me on the best, cheapest equipment to get a decent setup that will take full advantage of these speakers?

Thank you so much!

I might have posted in the wrong section. If so, I apologize, and I'll move the thread to the noobies section!

NAD 326 BEE integrated amplifier, has no internal dac(open box or demo). A dac of your choice, you can picking up many dacs on the review index for 100-150. For the streamer I would get a Pi2AES 2.0.

 

[voodooless]

WiiM amp (pro) would be a one box solution.

 

[MacCali]

Jhaider, a community member, has a Martin Logan Forte for 150, based on size and weight it might cost around 250 shipped to Europe

 

[l_lama]

Yamaha A-S801

FWIK Yamaha R-N1000A will be more or less the same amp with the streamer you need and HDMI input, Loudness, and some basic room correction YPAO, however you
ll need at least yet another 1000 EUR for it.

I would go for power amp with streamer which do volume control. Whether you'll ever need another analog source - you can get pre-amp of use analog inputs that some streamers may have.

In obvious battle of Bluesound vs. WiiM I'll vote for the later due to screwed tone controls in BlueOS.
However, is you are going into room cooperation, Bluesound is one of most affordable DIRAC-capable hardware.

 

[WalkingBrass]

Thank you all for your answers !
So, in order to give you the best picture, i'll also include prices i can get for each solutions you provided and my understanding of pro and cons :

- NAD 326 BEE -> 180 euros used. Pros : price and connectivy (especially for future sub). Cons : Might not provide enough power and no eq or room correction, need additionnal streamer
- Wiim amp pro -> 350 euros used. Pros : All in one solution, EQ and room correction. Cons : Lack of connectivity for the future. No tone or loudness control. Erin seems to suggest that it might be lacking power for both low volume listening in the bass spectrum and high volume listening in general
- Yamaha R-N1000A -> 1200 euros used which is way over my budget
- Martin Logan Forte -> 150 euros used from Jhaider, Pros : might be a good solution. Cons : I can't wait the shipping delay haha

I'm also adding to the list the Boxem Ncore Arthur 2408/N2, 350 euros used, but would still need a streamer.

Does this summary feels correct ?

 

[l_lama]

There are also at Audiophonics and Apollon Audio brands who provides ncore/purify amplifiers.

Also, surprisingly, I would recommend evaluating Denon X3700H pre-owned option, it should have all possible streaming stuff, Dynamic EQ (for Loudness) and top version of Audissey room correction.
Pre-amp outputs and acceptable DAC let you upgrade to 'real' amplifier, if you will ever need it.
Take a look at measurements of Denon AVCs here at ASR, their pre-amplifiers and amplifiers in X-series are not that bad and people are dumping them due to lack of some TV/Cinema features like VRR, 120Hz or 8K, and sometimes you can even play with bi-amping your speakers. Per Gemini research you'll need 7 channel receiver and Direct mode wan't work in bi-amp schema.

 

[WalkingBrass]

There are also at Audiophonics and Apollon Audio brands who provides ncore/purify amplifiers.

Also, surprisingly, I would recommend evaluating Denon X3700H pre-owned option, it should have all possible streaming stuff, Dynamic EQ (for Loudness) and top version of Audissey room correction.
Pre-amp outputs and acceptable DAC let you upgrade to 'real' amplifier, if you will ever need it.
Take a look at measurements of Denon AVCs here at ASR, their pre-amplifiers and amplifiers in X-series are not that bad and people are dumping them due to lack of some TV/Cinema features like VRR, 120Hz or 8K, and sometimes you can even play with bi-amping your speakers. Per Gemini research you'll need 7 channel receiver and Direct mode wan't work in bi-amp schema.

Thank you for this suggestion, unfortunately in my area those are being sold for around 800 euros used :/

 

[WalkingBrass]

I would like to add another option on the table as prices are not that high where i am : NAD C356BEE (used for approx 250 euros) + Wiim Ultra (used for 250 euros too).
EDIT : Or maybe even a lower tier yamaha like 501 or 301 + Wiim
Would that be the ideal combination in order to get everything i'd like to have ?

 

[l_lama]

All WiiM (Ultra, Pro Plus, Pro) are doing good in your situation.
Sure there are difference in measurements. Does if worth it? Probably, not, so if you can get Wiim Pro Plus below 250 - go for it and expend more on amplification for Linton 85ths.

Your speakers can go below 4Ohm, so speaking of amplifier, check it has 4Ohm rating, it should be clearly stated. Would be nice to have 1.5x of 8Ohm rating, more is better.

The thing I found on eBay (EU) - Atoll AM100SE, pure power amp, but maybe fits your budget too

 

[WalkingBrass]

A little update: after a lot of reading today, I realize there are some things I imagined to be true that apparently are not.
It's a real shame, as a beginner, to come across so many myths online, unjustifiable beliefs, and comments from people who claim that yes, such-and-such an amp or a certain power rating will have a significant impact on sound quality, musicality, airiness and sense of fullness. I think I understand now that the only impact my choice of amp will have concerns the maximum volume my speakers can reach without damaging them or the amp.
Moreover, I think I unconsciously had the idea that having good sound necessarily meant having multiple devices, big boxes, lots of them, and that this would inevitably influence the sound produced.

So, the solution indeed seems to be the simplest one already suggested above, namely a solution based on WiiM.
My choices are now the following:

• WiiM Amp Pro -> approx 300 euros used
• WiiM Amp Ultra (if the 60 Watts/channel at 8 ohms is insufficient for my speakers, which have a minimum impedance of 3.5 ohm) -> approx 450 euros used
• A Yamaha A-S501 (or 701) + WiiM Mini combo -> approx 400 euros used

These three options would each cost me around 400 euros. Any opinions on what to choose?

Thanks !

 

[melomane13]

I'll give you two cheaper options. First, the amplifier: an Aiyama A07 Premium ( or some other model FOSI .... ) with a 48V 5A power supply. It costs €80. Like all amplifiers based on the TPA3255, with this power supply you'll get almost 200W into 4 ohms.

Then, if you're into DIY, a Raspberry Pi 4 with a HAT DAC, which will allow you to do room correction, control tone and loudness with CamillaDSP, and even use a remote control. It costs €120.

Of course, if you're not sure, go for the Wimi Mini.

PS: remember to buy microphone to make rew measurement ... and make room correction

 

[REK2575]

A Yamaha A-S501 (or 701) + WiiM Mini combo

Personally, this is the option I'd go with. You're likely to find the WiiM Amp slightly underpowered. A while ago I switched out a Yamaha A-S301 / Bluenode for a WiiM Amp Pro. I really like the WiiM Amp, but there's no question it didn't match the performance of the A-S301, even though both are rated at 60W/channel. 60W/Channel seems like a hard ceiling for the Wiim Amp, but somewhat conservative rating for the A-S301. I could crank the WiiM Amp to max volume, and, while loud, there was no headroom. The A-S301 at max volume was very loud for the relatively small space I had the system set up in.

You won't have to worry about having enough power with the A-S501. With the WiiM Amp, you may.

 

[JeremyFife]

A little update: after a lot of reading today, I realize there are some things I imagined to be true that apparently are not.
It's a real shame, as a beginner, to come across so many myths online, unjustifiable beliefs, and comments from people who claim that yes, such-and-such an amp or a certain power rating will have a significant impact on sound quality, musicality, airiness and sense of fullness. I think I understand now that the only impact my choice of amp will have concerns the maximum volume my speakers can reach without damaging them or the amp.
Moreover, I think I unconsciously had the idea that having good sound necessarily meant having multiple devices, big boxes, lots of them, and that this would inevitably influence the sound produced.

So, the solution indeed seems to be the simplest one already suggested above, namely a solution based on WiiM.
My choices are now the following:

• WiiM Amp Pro -> approx 300 euros used
• WiiM Amp Ultra (if the 60 Watts/channel at 8 ohms is insufficient for my speakers, which have a minimum impedance of 3.5 ohm) -> approx 450 euros used
• A Yamaha A-S501 (or 701) + WiiM Mini combo -> approx 400 euros used

These three options would each cost me around 400 euros. Any opinions on what to choose?

Thanks !

Welcome to ASR keep that open mind and watch the myths fall away - I find it incredibly liberating.

All good options. Go with your gut, and remember that aesthetics matter too and that you have to like what buy

Enjoy

 

[CD2]

A little update: after a lot of reading today, I realize there are some things I imagined to be true that apparently are not.
It's a real shame, as a beginner, to come across so many myths online, unjustifiable beliefs, and comments from people who claim that yes, such-and-such an amp or a certain power rating will have a significant impact on sound quality, musicality, airiness and sense of fullness. I think I understand now that the only impact my choice of amp will have concerns the maximum volume my speakers can reach without damaging them or the amp.

The Wharfedale Linton speakers you've got are nice ones! A good choice. They are relatively forgiving, and I think any of your amp options will work fine with them. Get one and start enjoying your music.

For future reference, though, you may have shifted a little too abruptly. Things like "musicality," "airiness," "fullness" etc are unmeasurable, and generally too vague to be useful. There's a lot of BS in this business. On the other hand it's not a complete swindle: if you get the chance to try out different amps with the same speakers, you will hear differences in how they sound.

 

[Jokke]

I can recommend the Yamaha A-S701 or A-S501. I have used an A-S700 several years with B&W 803S speakers.
Those Yamaha's are great price/quality.

 

[Times]

…if you get the chance to try out different amps with the same speakers, you will hear differences in how they sound.

The better term here would be „perceive“ instead of „hear“, because any differences that may be perceived are based on a mixture of various sensory impressions, expectations, feelings, and experiences, and not solely on what is heard.

The probability that different amplifiers will send an audibly different signal to the speakers is extremely low.

Could you please help me see things more clearly and advise me on the best, cheapest equipment to get a decent setup that will take full advantage of these speakers?

If I were you, I would definitely get an amplifier with room correction, as this offers the most potential for optimization alongside the room and speakers – and you can adjust the sound to suit your preferences.

For example:

- A used Yamaha with YPAO
- A used Denon or Marantz AVR with Audyssey XT 32
- Wiim Amp Ultra
- Denon Home Amp / Marantz M1
- Eversolo Play

 

[CD2]

Don't patronize me, Times. All I suggest to our young friend is, if curiosity should ever strike in the future, try a few different amps out with the same speakers. Use good speakers, and a range of different tracks including a capella vocals and something with bass dynamics. If you hear no differences, wonderful news! You save a lot of money.

 

[gsp1971]

The Cambridge Audio AXR100 at 100W/8Ω per channel is also great value, has plenty of power and a sub out should you ever need one.

 

[Times]

Don't patronize me, Times.

I didn't mean to - that's how you took it.

All I suggest to our young friend is, if curiosity should ever strike in the future, try a few different amps out with the same speakers

And all I suggest to our "young friend" is, if curiosity should ever strike in the future to compare different amps on the same speakers, make sure to eliminate all other senses, if you want to find out whether there really are audible differences. Otherwise it's very likely, that your mind is playing tricks on you.