Need a quiet low power amplifier

[Steve H]

I’m looking for an amplifier to drive Klipsch Hersey II speakers. Built in 1982, I purchased them in 1988. Love their sound when relaxing at home but I want to move away from vintage amps. The amps used with it were a Frank Van Alstine modified Dynaco preamp, a Dynaco ST-70 converted to triode mode and when my children were young an Advent 300 receiver.

My goal is an amplifier quiet enough at low volumes to play 16/44.1 files in my office. My office is quiet about 25 to 28 dB when everyone but is gone and a little quieter in the evenings.

 

[amirm]

By quiet you mean fan noise or noise from the amplifier output?

 

[Steve H]

Amir, noise from the amplifier output.

 

[Eurasian]

You can probably find a LM3886 chip based kit or built amplifier for reasonable money that would work fine. I think Neurochrome makes some.

Here is a link that might be useful: https://www.neurochrome.com/lm3886-done-right/

 

[D700]

My goal is an amplifier quiet enough at low volumes to play 16/44.1 files in my office. My office is quiet about 25 to 28 dB when everyone but is gone and a little quieter in the evenings.

Though amirm wasn't a fan, I'm enjoying my Marantz HD-AMP1 very much, serving similar purpose with a set of LS50s. I listen around 60 db avg SPL several hours a day. As you know, you don't need much power with the Heresys those, are 95+ sensitivity as I recall.

 

[dkinric]

You don't mention a budget, but there are some well priced modern integrateds from well respected brands here:
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...e-audio/receivers-amps/integrated-amps/1.html
Specifically, the Onkyo A9150, Marantz PM5005, Yamaha AS301, all under $400. All moderately powered, would likely be a good match for your Herseys.

 

[Steve H]

You can probably find a LM3886 chip based kit or built amplifier for reasonable money that would work fine. I think Neurochrome makes some.

Here is a link that might be useful: https://www.neurochrome.com/lm3886-done-right/

An interesting idea worth looking into again. I tired a gainclone with an lm3886 and didn't like the sound with my office speakers, AR-4x modified by the late Carl Richard.

 

[Steve H]

Though amirm wasn't a fan, I'm enjoying my Marantz HD-AMP1 very much, serving similar purpose with a set of LS50s. I listen around 60 db avg SPL several hours a day. As you know, you don't need much power with the Heresys those, are 95+ sensitivity as I recall.

Unfortunately the HD-AMP1 isn't quiet enough to meet my goals. I need an amp with a S/N of 96 dB or better at one watt. The idea is not to be a hypocrite. I've been critical of many promoting hi-res audio without having a quiet enough amp for it to matter. Time for me to have a quiet enough amp to at least resolve CD quality at home.

 

[Ron Texas]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/akitika-gt-102-power-amplifier-measurements

$314 kit, $488 assembled + $26 shipping US 48.

 

[Steve H]

You don't mention a budget, but there are some well priced modern integrateds from well respected brands here:
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...e-audio/receivers-amps/integrated-amps/1.html
Specifically, the Onkyo A9150, Marantz PM5005, Yamaha AS301, all under $400. All moderately powered, would likely be a good match for your Herseys.

I know the Benchmark AHB2 and a DAC3 will work and I suspect a March Audio DAC 1 and amp would work as well. I have a NAD 3020 and a modified Nikko na-550 that sounds even better. But I want a transparent amp to go with transparent DAC and neither meets my criteria.

 

[Steve H]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/akitika-gt-102-power-amplifier-measurements

$314 kit, $488 assembled + $26 shipping US 48.

An excellent idea I will check it out. Thanks

 

[kevinh]

Ice Power 50ASX 25 + Ghent Audio cars ~$210 50w/ch

https://www.parts-express.com/icepo...ier-with-power-supply-module-2-x-50w--326-212
http://ghentaudio.com/kit/asx50-mxr.html

 

[D700]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/akitika-gt-102-power-amplifier-measurements

$314 kit, $488 assembled + $26 shipping US 48.

Wow, that looks fun. I've been thinking about an amp paired with an old Squeezebox Classic as a pre-amp in the bedroom...this might be the ticket.

 

[levimax]

You can probably find a LM3886 chip based kit or built amplifier for reasonable money that would work fine. I think Neurochrome makes some.

Here is a link that might be useful: https://www.neurochrome.com/lm3886-done-right/

+1 on Neurochrome but if you want quiet I would look at the mod86 amp as they use a THAT 1200 chip on the input that gives -84 db common mode rejection for balanced inputs and approximately -70 db common mode for unbalanced. I am using 4 of these in my system and they are completely silent which was a big change from what I had before.

https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86/ Kit
https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-186/ Assembled module

 

[Steve H]

+1 on Neurochrome but if you want quiet I would look at the mod86 amp as they use a THAT 1200 chip on the input that gives -84 db common mode rejection for balanced inputs and approximately -70 db common mode for unbalanced. I am using 4 of these in my system and they are completely silent which was a big change from what I had before.

https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86/ Kit
https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-186/ Assembled module

This looks like a great idea thank you.

 

[invaderzim]

+1 on Neurochrome but if you want quiet I would look at the mod86 amp as they use a THAT 1200 chip on the input that gives -84 db common mode rejection for balanced inputs and approximately -70 db common mode for unbalanced. I am using 4 of these in my system and they are completely silent which was a big change from what I had before.

https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86/ Kit
https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-186/ Assembled module

Have you happened to hear them compared to the LM3886DR? I have the LM3886DR and am just curious how much of an upgrade it would be.

 

[levimax]

Have you happened to hear them compared to the LM3886DR? I have the LM3886DR and am just curious how much of an upgrade it would be.

I have not compared them by listening.... Looking at the specs the Mod86 has lower distortion and is quieter.... In my case I have a DIY tri-amp system and ground loops are always an issue and the mod86 with its high common mode rejection really made a big difference for me (quieter)... I doubt I could hear the difference in distortion but nice know amp distortion in not an issue

 

[Steve H]

Thanks everyone I'm going to look at Neurochrome amps.

 

[invaderzim]

I have not compared them by listening.... Looking at the specs the Mod86 has lower distortion and is quieter.... In my case I have a DIY tri-amp system and ground loops are always an issue and the mod86 with its high common mode rejection really made a big difference for me (quieter)... I doubt I could hear the difference in distortion but nice know amp distortion in not an issue

It is tempting. Maybe someday I'll build the mod86. When I first finished the LM3886DR and moved it to my main speakers I was sitting on the floor right in front of one of the speakers when I connected it and powered it up with the music paused. I thought "Oh, no! what did I do? Isn't working." All because the speakers were completely silent even inches away from my ears.