NailOnHead
Member
I couldn’t really figure out which sub forum to put this under, since I’m neither asking about a pure DAC or a pure amplifier.
I currently have a set of B&W CM10 S2, and a Rotel RA-11 (integrated amplifier). Since my kids have been getting out of the baby phase I’m noticing that the amplifier is struggling when I turn up the volume.
I bought the RA-11 because at the time my Rotel RB-1070 gave up the ghost, and my pre-amp didn’t have any digital inputs at the time.
So now I’m back back, looking for a better setup. Total amplifier / DAC / pre-amp budget is around €1600.
For the actual power amplifiers, the options are:
Dual Mono Hypex NC400/500.. About €1250. I like that they’re measuring well, the company is based my own country (buy local ) and repairable (I know how to solder and basic multimeter measurements). Although I read a lot about early failures.
Another option would be the Arthur 3409 / N2. At €950 for Hypex Ncore 150W 8ohm’s. More attractive pricing, less power.
Another option would be the Advance Acoustics X-A160EVO. Although Advance Acoustics / Paris does not usually measure that great, I just loooove those VU meters .
€1400 for 160watts 8ohm.
My RA-11 can function as a pre-amp, but it only has unbalanced RCA outputs, seems like a waste? Unless I can rig it internally with some DIY balanced outputs?
I would like to sell the RA-11 and buy a DAC + Pre-amp, or a 2-in-1 combo.
This would leave about €500 in the budget for the DAC/Pre-Amp if I go for the Hypex monoblocks.
Current offerings I found and like:
MiniDSP Flex: offers 1 toslink input, 2 analog inputs, balanced outputs and volume control. All I need. And I can get DSP/room correction as a bonus. Downside is that the balanced version does not have a normal RCA-in. Also, the DIRAC functionality is not inside budget right now.
That’s it really, most other options entail a separate DAC / pre-amp, or a significantly higher price.
Questions I have:
Am I focussing too much of my budget in the amplifiers?
Other options for pre-amp / dac combo?
Should I just buy a newer / better integrated? I like the idea of a long lasting amplifier and updatable pre-amp.
I currently have a set of B&W CM10 S2, and a Rotel RA-11 (integrated amplifier). Since my kids have been getting out of the baby phase I’m noticing that the amplifier is struggling when I turn up the volume.
I bought the RA-11 because at the time my Rotel RB-1070 gave up the ghost, and my pre-amp didn’t have any digital inputs at the time.
So now I’m back back, looking for a better setup. Total amplifier / DAC / pre-amp budget is around €1600.
For the actual power amplifiers, the options are:
Dual Mono Hypex NC400/500.. About €1250. I like that they’re measuring well, the company is based my own country (buy local ) and repairable (I know how to solder and basic multimeter measurements). Although I read a lot about early failures.
Another option would be the Arthur 3409 / N2. At €950 for Hypex Ncore 150W 8ohm’s. More attractive pricing, less power.
Another option would be the Advance Acoustics X-A160EVO. Although Advance Acoustics / Paris does not usually measure that great, I just loooove those VU meters .
€1400 for 160watts 8ohm.
My RA-11 can function as a pre-amp, but it only has unbalanced RCA outputs, seems like a waste? Unless I can rig it internally with some DIY balanced outputs?
I would like to sell the RA-11 and buy a DAC + Pre-amp, or a 2-in-1 combo.
This would leave about €500 in the budget for the DAC/Pre-Amp if I go for the Hypex monoblocks.
Current offerings I found and like:
MiniDSP Flex: offers 1 toslink input, 2 analog inputs, balanced outputs and volume control. All I need. And I can get DSP/room correction as a bonus. Downside is that the balanced version does not have a normal RCA-in. Also, the DIRAC functionality is not inside budget right now.
That’s it really, most other options entail a separate DAC / pre-amp, or a significantly higher price.
Questions I have:
Am I focussing too much of my budget in the amplifiers?
Other options for pre-amp / dac combo?
Should I just buy a newer / better integrated? I like the idea of a long lasting amplifier and updatable pre-amp.
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