There are a few, but the one in particular is E Project on youtube.
Thanks for the explanation. Definitely not opposed to going the inexpensive route.
You listed chips inside the amp, right?
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Revel M16 Speaker Review
- Thread starter amirm
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Thanks for the explanation. Definitely not opposed to going the inexpensive route.
You listed chips inside the amp, right?
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IMHO your choice should mainly depend on:
- Power requirements; i.e. what kind of SPL you need to be able to reach; which should in turn be dictated by your listening distance and the listening level you are comfortable with. This is something that can be calculated, assuming you can measure your preferred SPL.
- What kind of sources you plan on using; i.e. what kind of inputs you need on the amp (analogue, phono, optical, coax, HDMI, bluetooth, various cast solution etc...).
I'm personally a fan of all-in-one solutions
- Do you already have DSP / PEQ capability or would your amp need to have this built-in?
Yes, that's correct - these are some of the well-measuring chip amps available today, which are built into many commercial amplifiers.
Thank you for this... I've always wondered if there were measurable variables to help narrow down amps. I'll measure the dB's later today, but for now this is what I got...IMHO your choice should mainly depend on:
- Power requirements; i.e. what kind of SPL you need to be able to reach; which should in turn be dictated by your listening distance and the listening level you are comfortable with. This is something that can be calculated, assuming you can measure your preferred SPL.
- What kind of sources you plan on using; i.e. what kind of inputs you need on the amp (analogue, phono, optical, coax, HDMI, bluetooth, various cast solution etc...).
I'm personally a fan of all-in-one solutions- Do you already have DSP / PEQ capability or would your amp need to have this built-in?
Yes, that's correct - these are some of the well-measuring chip amps available today, which are built into many commercial amplifiers.
- I'll be sitting roughly between 13-14 ft away. I enjoy low to medium volume mostly, with the occasional "crank it up" depending on where I am in the house / mood (I'll figure out the db of those)
- I would say the only inputs not needed are bluetooth, wifi, and phono. I'm sensitive to emf's currently, so finding a unit with bluetooth or wifi is a priority.
- I have the minidspHD, which has volume control, so that should open up options (ie power amps)
Ok, Most of those seem to be out of my price range. I was hoping to stay around 300-400, or under, but can adjust with recommendations... Also don't mind buying used.
If you are comfortable with a sound meter, you can measure the SPL your speakers power. I can post the methodology later.
There have more power than you need but you may want to check out Buckeye amps:
Buckeye Amps: New US based Hypex multichannel amplifier builder, line-up announcement!
Hypex NC502MP Power Specs (1kHz, THD = 1%): - 450w @ 2ohm (per channel, peak) - 500w @ 4ohm (per channel, peak) - 350w @ 8ohm (per channel, peak) Hypex NC252MP Power Specs (1kHz, THD = 1%): - 180w @ 2ohm (per channel, peak) - 250w @ 4ohm (per channel, peak) - 150w @ 8ohm (per channel, peak) XL...
www.audiosciencereview.com
- Rich
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I'm not sure I'll be able to help much with specific recommendation for commercial amplifier models, sorry, as I don't really have a good overview of the market.
However, IMHO if you're satisfied to use the miniDSP 2x4 HD as a combined DSP / preamp / DAC you could probably use basically any power amp, as long as it has sufficient power to satisfy your SPL / loudness requirements.
Aiyima A07 seems to be the go-to budget recommendation around here (though I personally have no experience with it), which is IMO understandable given the extremely low price, solid distortion/noise performance and high power. However note that it does exhibit some load dependence due to output impedance, as illustrated by @pma, e.g. here and here. And of course we have no information on longer term reliability.
In general I'd probably go with a power amp from some brand where I can easily and reliably get support in case of issues.
If it is any help, I drive my Revel M16 with a Denon Ceol RCD-N9 stereo receiver/integrated amplifier (measured here - not impressive objective performance in any way, but sounds just fine to me
), and use miniDSP OpenDRC-DI for PEQ on one of the inputs.The 75W @1% THD+N @4Ohm of the Denon is sufficient to reach IMO pretty loud levels (in the context of an apartment building) at my 7,5' listening distance, in a 205 square feet room. Given that you listen from double that distance, I'd probably look at something in the 100-200W range. It is probably better to have a power reserve that you don't use, than not to have enough.
Good luck in your search!
Really appreciate the adviceI'm not sure I'll be able to help much with specific recommendation for commercial amplifier models, sorry, as I don't really have a good overview of the market.
However, IMHO if you're satisfied to use the miniDSP 2x4 HD as a combined DSP / preamp / DAC you could probably use basically any power amp, as long as it has sufficient power to satisfy your SPL / loudness requirements.
Aiyima A07 seems to be the go-to budget recommendation around here (though I personally have no experience with it), which is IMO understandable given the extremely low price, solid distortion/noise performance and high power. However note that it does exhibit some load dependence due to output impedance, as illustrated by @pma, e.g. here and here. And of course we have no information on longer term reliability.
In general I'd probably go with a power amp from some brand where I can easily and reliably get support in case of issues.
If it is any help, I drive my Revel M16 with a Denon Ceol RCD-N9 stereo receiver/integrated amplifier (measured here - not impressive objective performance in any way, but sounds just fine to me
The 75W @1% THD+N @4Ohm of the Denon is sufficient to reach IMO pretty loud levels (in the context of an apartment building) at my 7,5' listening distance, in a 205 square feet room. Given that you listen from double that distance, I'd probably look at something in the 100-200W range. It is probably better to have a power reserve that you don't use, than not to have enough.
Good luck in your search!
Nice hearing feedback from someone who owns the speakers.I think the power amp is my best avenue since bluetooth seems to be in everything these days.
Are you getting all 75W with the Revel's being 6 ohm?
What are your thoughts on A/B vs. D? Think one is a better match for the M16's?
Thank you. I was looking at this, however it's a bit outside my price range. Any recommendations on something comparable at a lower price point?If you are comfortable with a sound meter, you can measure the SPL your speakers power. I can post the methodology later.
There have more power than you need but you may want to check out Buckeye amps:
Buckeye Amps: New US based Hypex multichannel amplifier builder, line-up announcement!
Hypex NC502MP Power Specs (1kHz, THD = 1%): - 450w @ 2ohm (per channel, peak) - 500w @ 4ohm (per channel, peak) - 350w @ 8ohm (per channel, peak) Hypex NC252MP Power Specs (1kHz, THD = 1%): - 180w @ 2ohm (per channel, peak) - 250w @ 4ohm (per channel, peak) - 150w @ 8ohm (per channel, peak) XL...
- Rich
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Well no speaker is really a pure resistive load, and their impedance anyways varies quite wildly with frequency. The M16 dips down to 4Ohm in certain frequency ranges, as you can see in post #1:
Also, how much power you use will depend a lot on the content you are playing, and the level you play it at.
What I can say I never need to push the amp close to maximum volume to reach satisfactory SPL, and I actually rarely ever go above 60% on the dial.
Both/either can be great or bad, depending on how well engineered the whole amp is.
There are state-of-the-art performing amplifiers of both types - and I sincerely doubt people could tell a difference between such amps in a well-controlled listening test.
All else being equal (though it usually never is) I'd personally choose class D due to better efficiency / less heat dissipation.
Appreciate it. Still so much to learn.Well no speaker is really a pure resistive load, and their impedance anyways varies quite wildly with frequency. The M16 dips down to 4Ohm in certain frequency ranges, as you can see in post #1:
Also, how much power you use will depend a lot on the content you are playing, and the level you play it at.
What I can say I never need to push the amp close to maximum volume to reach satisfactory SPL, and I actually rarely ever go above 60% on the dial.
Both/either can be great or bad, depending on how well engineered the whole amp is.
There are state-of-the-art performing amplifiers of both types - and I sincerely doubt people could tell a difference between such amps in a well-controlled listening test.
All else being equal (though it usually never is) I'd personally choose class D due to better efficiency / less heat dissipation.
Glad you said that (regarding rarely having to push the amp for desired spl), since I'm exhausted trying to search for an adequate power amp b/t 100-200W in my price range. Think I might go with the A07 for now... unless you have something in mind?
Yeah, I know there's much talk about sound signatures, just don't know if I would notice enough of a difference
If your amplifier has a sound signature its not a good amplifier. Only power really matters in most cases.
Guess I was mistaking it for ones with built-in dacs
Haha really? Just can't get this right
FlyingFreak
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@chang
I didn't understood wether the unit needed bluetooth and/or wifi or needed not to have those.
If not, starting with Aiyima 07 and seeing if that is good enough is great. If you want bluetooth, I found a 08 on sale last week and would recommend that to start with. My bet is you will be very happy with your system for the time being. You could always try upgrading your amp when you have a larger budget for it and see then if your sound is better. Otherwise buy one of those and a more powerful cleaner one now and test drive them in your home. Personally, I found trying things at home way more enjoyable (I am listening to my fancy new speakers now) and easier that trying to figure out my desire spl (which would require me buying extra stuffs I dont want).
I ended keeping the aiyima and I bet you might too if you are not cranking up the volume. In my place at the volume I am listening to, it does everything more powerful amp do. Or my earring has become terrible... either way, got more money to spend on holidays.
Cheers!
Edit typo
I didn't understood wether the unit needed bluetooth and/or wifi or needed not to have those.
If not, starting with Aiyima 07 and seeing if that is good enough is great. If you want bluetooth, I found a 08 on sale last week and would recommend that to start with. My bet is you will be very happy with your system for the time being. You could always try upgrading your amp when you have a larger budget for it and see then if your sound is better. Otherwise buy one of those and a more powerful cleaner one now and test drive them in your home. Personally, I found trying things at home way more enjoyable (I am listening to my fancy new speakers now) and easier that trying to figure out my desire spl (which would require me buying extra stuffs I dont want).
I ended keeping the aiyima and I bet you might too if you are not cranking up the volume. In my place at the volume I am listening to, it does everything more powerful amp do. Or my earring has become terrible... either way, got more money to spend on holidays.
Cheers!
Edit typo
Looking for something without BT or wifi.
Agreed. Think I'm leaning towards the A07 for those exact reasons. I really like the idea of being able to upgrade the op-amps and power supply to modify the amp. Haha, never hurts having some extra cash for the holidays.
You mentioned using one for each speaker in your earlier post... were you referring to using the A07 as a mono amp?
MarkS
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Really.
Review: Apple vs Google USB-C Headphone Adapters
This is a review, detailed measurements and comparison of Apple's USB-C adapter to the current and last version of Google Pixel headphone adapters. The Apple adapter costs just $9 including one day shipping for free. The Google dongle costs $12. Not that any of these are large by any stretch...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Once you understand that modern electronics are all essentially perfect, you will save a lot of money with no sacrifice in sound quality.
But you have to have the mental toughness to resist the audiophool mentality that insists otherwise, and that holds sway everywhere but here at ASR.
I hear ya. So basically get the Aiyima and enjoy... thanksReally.
Review: Apple vs Google USB-C Headphone Adapters
This is a review, detailed measurements and comparison of Apple's USB-C adapter to the current and last version of Google Pixel headphone adapters. The Apple adapter costs just $9 including one day shipping for free. The Google dongle costs $12. Not that any of these are large by any stretch...
Once you understand that modern electronics are all essentially perfect, you will save a lot of money with no sacrifice in sound quality.
But you have to have the mental toughness to resist the audiophool mentality that insists otherwise, and that holds sway everywhere but here at ASR.
Pre amps may sound different, but generally same class amps and dacs are going to be " transparent " vs others in general use , within the limits of performance...
MarkS
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Pre-amps sound the same too. Try your own blind listening test if you don't believe it.
You will need a friend to switch the two (or more) preamps under test, and to adjust the volume according to your verbal instructions (louder, quieter). Volume should start at a randomly selected level with each trial.
(This is all to avoid one pre-amp being consistently louder than another; the louder one will almost always sound "better".)
You will need a friend to switch the two (or more) preamps under test, and to adjust the volume according to your verbal instructions (louder, quieter). Volume should start at a randomly selected level with each trial.
(This is all to avoid one pre-amp being consistently louder than another; the louder one will almost always sound "better".)
i believe you...
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