Which power amp (AB or D) for Goldenear T66 speaker?

[mullerhun]

Hi guys!

I'm planning to get the new Goldenear T66 speaker, sensitivity is 91 db. My room is small, but I love to listen loud sometimes.

DAC/streamer I am eyeing for is atm a used Lumen T2 or new D3 (dac-streamer), but I am open for suggestions. It can be used too, but should be available in Europe.

In the store they recommend class AB, but I lean more towads class D from what I am reading on the forums.

EDIT: I want to power only the speaker, no headphone etc, turntable, only adding a TV to watch movies etc.
Budget around 1000-1500 EUR if its used

thanks in advance

Martin

 

[Nopiano]

Do you want an integrated amp, with pre- and power sections? Any other inputs needed, for say turntable or CD player? An approximate budget will help focus the answers a bit.

This recent thread may help…https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s-d-and-b-vs-arcam-and-rotel-class-a-b.57327/

 

[Sokel]

T66 are semi-actives (like) so it doesn't need much for the mid-highs.
Something around 100-200W would be ok for any use.

Choose whatever you see fit.

 

[DVDdoug]

You shouldn't care too much "what's inside". Look at the specs, cost, features, build quality, etc.

The most important specs are noise and power output but you can't completely trust either one. There's more than one way to measure noise so listen and if you can hear noise (hum, hiss or whine) from the speakers in the store, that's a good test. Manufacturers also tend to fudge the power ratings.

Class-D is more energy efficient which usually makes them lighter, smaller, and they run cooler. You also generally get more watts-per-dollar, especially with higher power amps. The electronics are more complicated but most of it is in a chip and the trade-off is that lower cost output transistors/MOSFETs can be used because they aren't stressed & heated as much and they can use smaller heat sinks.

I guess that in the future, most amps will probably be class-D.

 

[mullerhun]

Do you want an integrated amp, with pre- and power sections? Any other inputs needed, for say turntable or CD player? An approximate budget will help focus the answers a bit.

This recent thread may help…https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s-d-and-b-vs-arcam-and-rotel-class-a-b.57327/

I will edit the OP, I don't want anything to add to it, only the speakers! But I want a TV, so the streamer should have hdmi or optical, I'll check it it has.
I added budget to be around 1000-1500 EUR used price.

 

[mullerhun]

T66 are semi-actives (like) so it doesn't need much for the mid-highs.
Something around 100-200W would be ok for any use.

Choose whatever you see fit.

I'm not pro in hifi, it shouldn't kill the speakers, any recommendation? Which specs are a must?

 

[mullerhun]

You shouldn't care too much "what's inside". Look at the specs, cost, features, build quality, etc.

The most important specs are noise and power output but you can't completely trust either one. There's more than one way to measure noise so listen and if you can hear noise (hum, hiss or whine) from the speakers in the store, that's a good test. Manufacturers also tend to fudge the power ratings.

Class-D is more energy efficient which usually makes them lighter, smaller, and they run cooler. You also generally get more watts-per-dollar, especially with higher power amps. The electronics are more complicated but most of it is in a chip and the trade-off is that lower cost output transistors/MOSFETs can be used because they aren't stressed & heated as much and they can use smaller heat sinks.

I guess that in the future, most amps will probably be class-D.

Which min. specs and features should I aim for? Which are a "must"?

 

[JeremyFife]

One box option: NAD C3050 ~ 1200 EUR which includes streaming and HDMI input?

If you felt like looking away from Lumin; the Eversolo DMP A8 is very well regarded (with HDMI) and, for that matter so is the WiiM Ultra (~ 350!!). It's your choice though, that's cool.

Any well put together Hypex or Purifi amplifier will give you all the clean power you need;
Apollon looks good - Hypex NC252MP is 790EUR or the NCx500ST NCOREx has even more power (that you don't really need) and is even cleaner (inaudibly so) for 1100 EUR
There are other manufacturers, BoXem is often recommended in Europe

See what you think

 

[JeremyFife]

Which min. specs and features should I aim for? Which are a "must"?

Have a look at the Review Index on this site, read a few reviews and get a feel for it.
Almost all Streamers and DACs should be fine - choose on features (HDMI will limit you).
For amps - if you stay with good manufacturers and something like Hypex implementations then the key specs: power, noise, load independency are pretty much taken care of

Actually, having had a quick look now, your speakers can go to quite low impendence (making them more difficult to drive). You shouldn't have any issue with Hypex although the NAD integrated (C3050) I suggested earlier might not be the best choice - that might just be a theoretical worry though.

 

[mullerhun]

Have a look at the Review Index on this site, read a few reviews and get a feel for it.
Almost all Streamers and DACs should be fine - choose on features (HDMI will limit you).
For amps - if you stay with good manufacturers and something like Hypex implementations then the key specs: power, noise, load independency are pretty much taken care of

Actually, having had a quick look now, your speakers can go to quite low impendence (making them more difficult to drive). You shouldn't have any issue with Hypex although the NAD integrated (C3050) I suggested earlier might not be the best choice - that might just be a theoretical worry though.

I want to get the the T66 brand new but all other stuff used, so I would get a higher tier for the price of the lower one. I am not in a rush, but I am greatful for ideas which I can read upon! thx!

ps: I want to be able to run Quoboz on it, which the Lumin I know for sure can.

 

[mullerhun]

One box option: NAD C3050 ~ 1200 EUR which includes streaming and HDMI input?

If you felt like looking away from Lumin; the Eversolo DMP A8 is very well regarded (with HDMI) and, for that matter so is the WiiM Ultra (~ 350!!). It's your choice though, that's cool.

Any well put together Hypex or Purifi amplifier will give you all the clean power you need;
Apollon looks good - Hypex NC252MP is 790EUR or the NCx500ST NCOREx has even more power (that you don't really need) and is even cleaner (inaudibly so) for 1100 EUR
There are other manufacturers, BoXem is often recommended in Europe

See what you think

I just saw the 500ST can do 600W at 4Ohms? This speaker recommends 20-500W, I guess it's too much.

 

[JeremyFife]

I just saw the 500ST can do 600W at 4Ohms? This speaker recommends 20-500W, I guess it's too much.

Just don't turn it up to the point where your ears bleed It's not something to worry about. At normal, or even party, levels you won't use anything like that power and it's pretty obvious when your speakers are unhappy - you won't like it and you will turn it down.
You definitely want to avoid pushing an amplifier into clipping, which is far less likely with a powerful amp.

 

[DSJR]

Maybe more for UK readers, but I remain a fan of the Quad 606 'family' of amps based on its design. Safe as houses, never ever a fatiguing listen and plenty of power into four ohm loads (220WPC or so) which its predecessors didn't care for. It's easily SERVICEABLE long term as well, so not a landfill prospect in years to come. Important to me if not others... Far better than UK audio peeps give it credit for.