Looking for a replacement amp for my main system

[geek_inside]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a replacement amp for my audio system in my living room. Here are the specs:

- Streamer minidsp SHD Studio with Dirac room correction
- DAC ADI-2 FS
- Amp Cambridge Audio 651W
- Floorstanding speakers Tannoy XT-8F

I'm quite happy with the results (especially since the room correction was set up!), given the room had to stay a living room and is not a dedicated audio room (waf factor is already at its maximum). I'll donate the 10 year old Cambridge power amp to a friend and will need a replacement unit. I have few requirements:

- Power amp only
- Able to drive my speakers (91dB sensitivity, minimum impedance of 2.9 ohm at 100Hz)
- XLR inputs
- Ideally small form factor

I'm not looking for a fancy hifi amp, just something simple and efficient, with a good price-performance ratio. I'd prefer to buy something in Europe or Asia as I'm from Switzerland. After some research, I narrowed it down to those offers:

Audiophonics AP300-S250NCX
Topping B200 monoblocks (read a bit about reliability issues with this brand?)

I also had a look at the products from Nord Acoustics which seem to be good quality as well (like this one), and Apollon Audio, which I dismissed due to supply delays/issues.

Am I missing a very good amp I should have spotted? There's so many offers these days that I'm a bit lost. AM I overthinking it? Also, it's somewhat complicated not to get trapped in all the hifi marketting/BS that you can read on most websites...

Appreciate any inputs!

 

[staticV3]

I'd give the Fosi V3 Mono a try first:

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio V3 Mono class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company. The price with the power supply I tested is US $139.99. I must say the concept of a "monoblock" amplifier in such a small size runs foul of any expectation a longtime...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[geek_inside]

Thanks for this answer, I read a lot about this one but can't remember why it's not on my short list anymore, weird because it ticks all the requirements. Beside the price and form factor, any advantage over the Audiophonics one?

 

[Sal1950]

If your in the US, Buckeye builds SOTA.

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

Buckeye PURIFI 1ET9040BA Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Buckeye Purifi 1ET9040BA (second generation?) monoblock amplifier. It was kindly drop shipped by a company and costs US $1,295. A single LED adorns the front indicating power on, protection or fault condition. Back panel has all that one would...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[EdW]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a replacement amp for my audio system in my living room. Here are the specs:

- Streamer minidsp SHD Studio with Dirac room correction
- DAC ADI-2 FS
- Amp Cambridge Audio 651W
- Floorstanding speakers Tannoy XT-8F

I'm quite happy with the results (especially since the room correction was set up!), given the room had to stay a living room and is not a dedicated audio room (waf factor is already at its maximum). I'll donate the 10 year old Cambridge power amp to a friend and will need a replacement unit. I have few requirements:

- Power amp only
- Able to drive my speakers (91dB sensitivity, minimum impedance of 2.9 ohm at 100Hz)
- XLR inputs
- Ideally small form factor

I'm not looking for a fancy hifi amp, just something simple and efficient, with a good price-performance ratio. I'd prefer to buy something in Europe or Asia as I'm from Switzerland. After some research, I narrowed it down to those offers:

Audiophonics AP300-S250NCX
Topping B200 monoblocks (read a bit about reliability issues with this brand?)

I also had a look at the products from Nord Acoustics which seem to be good quality as well (like this one), and Apollon Audio, which I dismissed due to supply delays/issues.

Am I missing a very good amp I should have spotted? There's so many offers these days that I'm a bit lost. AM I overthinking it? Also, it's somewhat complicated not to get trapped in all the hifi marketting/BS that you can read on most websites...

Appreciate any inputs!

I notice your signal source and D/A are pretty good. Now for the amplifier. In EU also consider the Audiophonics LPA-S450ET - a very high quality Purifi based amp.

In N America @Sal1950 suggests the 9040 based amplifier - absolutely superb but perhaps an overkill? Consider also the less expensive 6525 based amp

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

Or in Australia March Audio

The Purifi based amps will enable you to consider a loudspeaker upgrade in the future if desired

 

[geek_inside]

The Purifi based amps will enable you to consider a loudspeaker upgrade in the future if desired

Not sure to understand why a Hypex based amp would not, could you elaborate?

 

[Thighsofsteel]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a replacement amp for my audio system in my living room. Here are the specs:

- Streamer minidsp SHD Studio with Dirac room correction
- DAC ADI-2 FS
- Amp Cambridge Audio 651W
- Floorstanding speakers Tannoy XT-8F

I'm quite happy with the results (especially since the room correction was set up!), given the room had to stay a living room and is not a dedicated audio room (waf factor is already at its maximum). I'll donate the 10 year old Cambridge power amp to a friend and will need a replacement unit. I have few requirements:

- Power amp only
- Able to drive my speakers (91dB sensitivity, minimum impedance of 2.9 ohm at 100Hz)
- XLR inputs
- Ideally small form factor

I'm not looking for a fancy hifi amp, just something simple and efficient, with a good price-performance ratio. I'd prefer to buy something in Europe or Asia as I'm from Switzerland. After some research, I narrowed it down to those offers:

Audiophonics AP300-S250NCX
Topping B200 monoblocks (read a bit about reliability issues with this brand?)

I also had a look at the products from Nord Acoustics which seem to be good quality as well (like this one), and Apollon Audio, which I dismissed due to supply delays/issues.

Am I missing a very good amp I should have spotted? There's so many offers these days that I'm a bit lost. AM I overthinking it? Also, it's somewhat complicated not to get trapped in all the hifi marketting/BS that you can read on most websites...

Appreciate any inputs!

An excellent product from Luxembourg. The Boxem 4216/E2. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...oxem-a-4216-e2-stereo-amplifier-review.64656/

 

[EdW]

Not sure to understand why a Hypex based amp would not, could you elaborate?

The hypex ncx250 based amp is fine. Not in the same league as the 6525 Purifi amps but significantly cheaper. Just compare the specs. A future loudspeaker upgrade would certainly more than justify the Purifi based amp and would compliment your DAC.

 

[EdW]

An excellent product from Luxembourg. The Boxem 4216/E2. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...oxem-a-4216-e2-stereo-amplifier-review.64656/

Amps from BoxEm are never a bad choice. A little more expensive than the very cheapest but great realisation of the Purifi designs with impeccable quality and presentation

 

[geek_inside]

The hypex ncx250 based amp is fine. Not in the same league as the 6525 Purifi amps but significantly cheaper. Just compare the specs. A future loudspeaker upgrade would certainly more than justify the Purifi based amp and would compliment your DAC.

The question was more, with specs already that good, will this make any audible difference in the end?

 

[staticV3]

Beside the price and form factor, any advantage over the Audiophonics one?

You can place the V3 Monos right next to each speaker, so speaker wires can be shorter.

 

[tineared]

The question was more, with specs already that good, will this make any audible difference in the end?

The Audiophonics NCx252 amp will be fine so long as you don't listen at very high volume. Otherwise, choose the NCx500. All of the suggested amps will sound the same.

 

[geek_inside]

The Audiophonics NCx252 amp will be fine so long as you don't listen at very high volume. Otherwise, choose the NCx500. All of the suggested amps will sound the same.

No, I'm not listening at crazy volume, so I should be fine.

 

[Thighsofsteel]

No, I'm not listening at crazy volume, so I should be fine.

You can find Boxem on the second hand market. Here is one from a German site.

boXem Arthur 4216/E2 Purifi Endstufen

Ich biete hier insgesamt zwei BoXem Arthur 4216/E2 Stereoverstärker an. Waren bei mir Teil eines...,boXem Arthur 4216/E2 Purifi Endstufen in Rheinland-Pfalz - Landau in der Pfalz

www.kleinanzeigen.de

 

[antcollinet]

No, I'm not listening at crazy volume, so I should be fine.

I missed why you need to change your amp. Is it just the size of the Cambridge that is the problem?

 

[geek_inside]

I missed why you need to change your amp. Is it just the size of the Cambridge that is the problem?

I will give the Cambridge to my friend who is also into audio and helped me a lot with mechanic issues on my car. The size itself is not a real issue but if I could get something smaller (and try something newer like those class-D amps), that'd be great!

 

[antcollinet]

I will give the Cambridge to my friend who is also into audio and helped me a lot with mechanic issues on my car. The size itself is not a real issue but if I could get something smaller (and try something newer like those class-D amps), that'd be great!

So what are you hoping to get from the change? Because unless you are running out of power with the Cambridge, you are unlikely to get anything significant audibly.

 

[geek_inside]

As I wrote in my first post, I'm just looking for another amp which works with my setup. I'm not expecting or asking for any sonic improvement, I know there will be any audible one (at least for my ears). That's also why I asked the rational to upgrade for any Hypex based amp to a Purifi based amp. Maybe this was lost in translation, sorry english is not my first language

 

[Golfx]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a replacement amp for my audio system in my living room. Here are the specs:

- Streamer minidsp SHD Studio with Dirac room correction
- DAC ADI-2 FS
- Amp Cambridge Audio 651W
- Floorstanding speakers Tannoy XT-8F

I'm quite happy with the results (especially since the room correction was set up!), given the room had to stay a living room and is not a dedicated audio room (waf factor is already at its maximum). I'll donate the 10 year old Cambridge power amp to a friend and will need a replacement unit. I have few requirements:

- Power amp only
- Able to drive my speakers (91dB sensitivity, minimum impedance of 2.9 ohm at 100Hz)
- XLR inputs
- Ideally small form factor

I'm not looking for a fancy hifi amp, just something simple and efficient, with a good price-performance ratio. I'd prefer to buy something in Europe or Asia as I'm from Switzerland. After some research, I narrowed it down to those offers:

Audiophonics AP300-S250NCX
Topping B200 monoblocks (read a bit about reliability issues with this brand?)

I also had a look at the products from Nord Acoustics which seem to be good quality as well (like this one), and Apollon Audio, which I dismissed due to supply delays/issues.

Am I missing a very good amp I should have spotted? There's so many offers these days that I'm a bit lost. AM I overthinking it? Also, it's somewhat complicated not to get trapped in all the hifi marketting/BS that you can read on most websites...

Appreciate any inputs!

I have had excellent experience with my Nord amp.

 

[Steven Holt]

As far as a versatile, reliable, all-in-one amp, go with the Yamaha AS series. I'm thinking of the 501, but the higher you go, the better it gets.