Amplifiers

[Maurice]

After several years of trusted use, my (formerly Nef’s) NAD3240PE is beginning to seem past its best. There’s an intermittent buzz from the left hand speaker which makes the woofer wobble and the volume pot seems fragile.

Problem is, when it’s working it still sounds fabulous and drives my B&W DM602S3s well.

Fully appreciate I could probably just get it serviced, however I think upgraditis has struck and I’m thinking of replacing it. Problem is, it looks like I’m going to have to dispense with tone controls which I find useful.

I’ve been looking at Rega Brios, however not being too knowledgable in this area, I thought I’d seek the advice of the audiophiles on here. Is it as meaty as the NAD?

I should add that’s it’s going to be used to primarily to play Basshunter mp3s at 64kbps.

Any recommendations?

[ZedLeg]

I should add that’s it’s going to be used to primarily to play Basshunter mp3s at 64kbps.

this is the absolute best thing for the job.

[GG.]

So the budget is about £600, Mudge? Or were you referring to a second hand Brio ?

[scotta]

Do you want just an amp or something with smart connectivity?

[Maurice]

Yes GG, wouldn’t want to go much over that.

Scott - not really interested in whiz bang connectivity. My Neet Airstream is how I listen to majority of music.

[Jobbo]

I'd probably get a Marantz PM6006 (which does have tone controls) unless you like the euphonic joy that comes from the badge on the front.

[GG.]

The B&Ws have a titanium tweeter & kevlar cones and are on the analytical end of the scale so I would say the Brio would be a better fit.

Personally, I'd go even more euphonic and look for a second hand Unison Research Unico with tube preamp stage and solid state power amp section (the baby version of the Unico Secondo I bought recently) - you should be able to find one for £600. That would sound very nice with the B&Ws and have adequate heft.

For what its worth, I ran my 602.5 S3s with an Audio Analogue Puccini SE Remote but they're a bit long in the tooth now (though sounded great).

Second hand Nait 5i italic would be within budget too. I owned one and didn't fall in love with it but I was pairing it with the Sonus Fabers I have now which were a bit of a mismatch. Expect you may like it with the B&Ws.

[ZedLeg]

I'd probably get a Marantz PM6006 (which does have tone controls) unless you like the euphonic joy that comes from the badge on the front.

I loved my Marantz equipment, I had a PM4000 and CD4000 for years. The stuff feels like it's made of granite.

[Jobbo]

I had some B&W DM601s back at university (bought them new in late 1991 or early 1992, from memory). I loved them, though they were a bit big to keep taking home in the vacations. Originally driven by an Arcam Alpha One amp, I replaced that with an Aura VA100 Evolution with the polished chrome front (below) - I always had a nagging doubt that it didn't sound as good as the Arcam, or a Musical Fidelity B1 I'd borrowed from a friend, but because it looked so gorgeous I didn't care



Now I've heard a hell of a lot more kit since and the only things which make a relevant difference are the quality of the original source (128kbps MP3s are inadequate, but 320kbps is fine and VBR is pretty much as good), the speakers and the room. Any amp which influences the sound is deliberately altering the signal as it amplifies. That's easily avoided. It's nice not to be on the gravy train of buying pricey new kit and hoping to hear improvements.

[GG.]

Thing is though, Simon - its very much about synergies. Most speakers (including the B&Ws) have characteristics which can be complemented or counteracted by amp pairing to create a better end result.

Fastidious neutrality is not always best - plus some element of modification of the sound can be a good thing - huge peaks and troughs across the frequencies are not a good thing though obviously. My current pairing I'm in no way deluded is neutral but it sounds great!

As for buying new kit, other than consumables such as styli - I'd always buy second hand. If you're buying desirable kit your barely ever lose significant money. Definitely the way to go IMO, plus clearly you get significantly more bang for your buck.

[Mito Man]

Synergies File that under audiophile bollocks.

[GG.]

Remind me of the mismatched AV receiver and turntable pairing you recently put together... That would be the opposite of synergistic. Hopefully that makes it easy enough to understand.

[Mito Man]

Nope it works pretty well actually.

[Maurice]

So if I’m reading this correctly, I should keep the amp and buy a set of ProAcs instead?

[Jobbo]

Thing is though, Simon - its very much about synergies. Most speakers (including the B&Ws) have characteristics which can be complemented or counteracted by amp pairing to create a better end result.

Fastidious neutrality is not always best - plus some element of modification of the sound can be a good thing - huge peaks and troughs across the frequencies are not a good thing though obviously. My current pairing I'm in no way deluded is neutral but it sounds great!

If you want to modify the sound, buy an amp with tone controls. Speakers do have characteristics, correct - that's why I said they were one of the three things which make any difference. But choosing an amp to match is effectively just your tone control; any competently-designed amp won't have awkward output impedance which interacts badly with any speakers.

Stick to neutrality in your source and your amp, then tune your speakers to your room. That would be my recommendation for a happy life.

[GG.]

Nah - I don't want a flat, neutral/sterile sounding amp - particularly if I were predominantly playing digital sources through it.

Speaker matching is important re bass with your room - not so much with the midband/treble. Tone controls are also a very blunt instrument and depending on how implemented can signicantly degrade the sound above what I'm talking about re voicing your amp so it has a small midband lift for vocals for example. You can't do that with bass/tre dials.

As with everything it depends what you want out of life and YMMV. Part of the fun is experimenting and seeing what you like/dislike.

[Jobbo]

Nah - I don't want a flat, neutral/sterile sounding amp - particularly if I were predominantly playing digital sources through it.

You don't want an amp which doesn't alter the sound of the source? Fine, but don't damn such a perfect ideal as something 'flat, neutral/sterile'

[GG.]

Remind me what graphic equalisers invariably name the setting with no modification to levels...

[mik]

I love my NAD 3240PE. Dreading the day it gives me issues.... (taps head)

[Jobbo]

Remind me what graphic equalisers invariably name the setting with no modification to levels...

Is it 'sterile'?

ETA: seems to be 'Bypass'