2ch amp for Dynaudio speakers?

[Best Buys]

Hi Guys,

I need your help.

I'm looking for a new integrated amp for my Dynaudio DM3/7 floorstanding speakers.

I like Rock'70, Folk, Jazz and natural sound.

I'm searching for these features:

Budget: £800-1000; 2 Channels; Phono input (MM); Built in Dac (Coaxial, optical).

Please, help me.

...or should I buy a pre-amp and a power-amp...?

 

[Al ears]

Hi Guys,

I need your help.

I'm looking for a new integrated amp for my Dynaudio DM3/7 floorstanding speakers.

I like Rock'70, Folk, Jazz and natural sound.

I'm searching for these features:

Budget: £800-1000; 2 Channels; Phono input (MM); Built in Dac (Coaxial, optical).

Please, help me.

...or should I buy a pre-amp and a power-amp...?

You might look at the latest Cambridge CX range, particularly the CX80, or if you can stretch your budget to £1300 the Hegel H80.

You would also have to budget for a cheap phono-preamp as I cannot think of many amps that include both DAC and a phono stage, normally it is one or the other these days. The Marantz PM6005 does but this may be a little underpowered for your speakers. The PM8005 would drive them well but unfortunately this one doesn't include a DAC.

For ease of upgrading might want to think about separate DAC or phono preamp, as this will give you a much bigger choice of amp.

I wouldn't recommend a pre / power set-up in this budget unless you buy a good second hand one as they will be of little benefit to you, you'll just be paying extra for two enclosures and they are unlikely to include a DAC.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[rainsoothe]

hi.

+1 for Hegel H80, and look at Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 SE (or, for cheaper, the Communicator), Musical Fidelity V90LPS or Rega Fono Mini A2D for phono stages. Roksan Kandy K3 + Micromega MyDac (or Behringer UCA202 for cheapest and if you only need USB) might also be a great fit for the Dynaudios.

 

[Al ears]

As has been mentioned above the idea of an ' all in one amp ' is great until you get the upgrade bug and then you are hamstrung. Better to buy one with phono stage and buy a separate Dac or inbuilt dac and separate phono preamp.

 

[emperor's new clothes]

I have DM2/7s and PM8005 and agree with David's advice. Having tried several amps with the Dyns, I would steer clear of the 6005, Creek50A and A19. All good with other kit, but not power-hungry Dyns to my ears. Vocals are superb with lifelike timbre. I have not tried the phono stage.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Best Buys

Depending on budget but +2 for the Hegel's H80

Fwiw, I believe that Dynaudio also partly use Hegel amplification to develop their speakers with

As for a phono pre amp add Rega's Mini A2D or a Fono.

Alternatively Rega's Elex-R, Arcam's irDAC and Rega's DAC-R are also worth a look

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[matthewpiano]

I'm surprised to hear any talk of 'taming' the top end of Dynaudios. The superb balance and control of their treble is one of the strong points of the DM range, totally out-classing the likes of B&W for refinement in this aspect.

I've had my DM2/6s for around 18 months. I do also have some Rega RS1s but, I've kept going back to the Dynaudios as for me they are a better all-rounder.

In that time I've found two amplifiers that really get the best out of them. The Rega Brio-R and Pioneer A-400 both work beautifully with the Dyns. The whole thing about Dyns being difficult to drive is absolute rubbish. They aren't. In fact, Dynaudio specifically made the DM series to work well with a wide range of amplifiers. The Brio-R and A400 both drive the 2/6s with no problems whatsoever, across a range of volume settings. I've also had an Exposure 1010 driving mine, and this also was not found wanting.

My suggestions would be to hear the Brio-R and Elex-R and choose the one you enjoy the best. I haven't heard the Hegel, but I trust Rick's judgement and so I would also say you should audition that. If you fancy seeing how cheaply you can get wonders out of the Dyns, give a Pioneer A-400 a whirl. There are risks - mine is on the sidelines due to a fault with the volume control - but if you get a good one, it still stands tall as a brilliant amp performing well above its original price-point.

 

[Best Buys]

Thank You very much Guys, You are very very kind.

The Hegel's H80 seems to be my new amp... I will just wait a couple of months to stretch my budget.

Do you know if I can use my cheap T-Preamp TCC TC-754 (only temporarily, of course)?

 

[Best Buys]

I'm surprised to hear any talk of 'taming' the top end of Dynaudios. The superb balance and control of their treble is one of the strong points of the DM range, totally out-classing the likes of B&W for refinement in this aspect.

I've had my DM2/6s for around 18 months. I do also have some Rega RS1s but, I've kept going back to the Dynaudios as for me they are a better all-rounder.

In that time I've found two amplifiers that really get the best out of them. The Rega Brio-R and Pioneer A-400 both work beautifully with the Dyns. The whole thing about Dyns being difficult to drive is absolute rubbish. They aren't. In fact, Dynaudio specifically made the DM series to work well with a wide range of amplifiers. The Brio-R and A400 both drive the 2/6s with no problems whatsoever, across a range of volume settings. I've also had an Exposure 1010 driving mine, and this also was not found wanting.

My suggestions would be to hear the Brio-R and Elex-R and choose the one you enjoy the best. I haven't heard the Hegel, but I trust Rick's judgement and so I would also say you should audition that. If you fancy seeing how cheaply you can get wonders out of the Dyns, give a Pioneer A-400 a whirl. There are risks - mine is on the sidelines due to a fault with the volume control - but if you get a good one, it still stands tall as a brilliant amp performing well above its original price-point.

Hi, I'm sorry but I have read your reply just now.

Thank you very much for your suggestions; I'm trying to buy an all-in-one good amp (with power, a good built-in dac and a good phono input, if it is possible!); the two Rega amps should be a good and cheaper choice but probably the Hegel fits better to my DM3/7 speakers....

What do You think about?

 

[Andrewjvt]

Yes good choice i almost brought a pair of dm 2/7 and they are very good and as a new hegel owner i can confirm that it will be a good match.

 

[radiorog]

Not heard the Hegel but I expect it sounds great. Would probably be a good choice. At same price would be roksan k3 but no in built DAC. The k3 sounds great with dyns.

 

[Al ears]

I'm surprised to hear any talk of 'taming' the top end of Dynaudios. The superb balance and control of their treble is one of the strong points of the DM range, totally out-classing the likes of B&W for refinement in this aspect.

I've had my DM2/6s for around 18 months. I do also have some Rega RS1s but, I've kept going back to the Dynaudios as for me they are a better all-rounder.

In that time I've found two amplifiers that really get the best out of them. The Rega Brio-R and Pioneer A-400 both work beautifully with the Dyns. The whole thing about Dyns being difficult to drive is absolute rubbish. They aren't. In fact, Dynaudio specifically made the DM series to work well with a wide range of amplifiers. The Brio-R and A400 both drive the 2/6s with no problems whatsoever, across a range of volume settings. I've also had an Exposure 1010 driving mine, and this also was not found wanting.

My suggestions would be to hear the Brio-R and Elex-R and choose the one you enjoy the best. I haven't heard the Hegel, but I trust Rick's judgement and so I would also say you should audition that. If you fancy seeing how cheaply you can get wonders out of the Dyns, give a Pioneer A-400 a whirl. There are risks - mine is on the sidelines due to a fault with the volume control - but if you get a good one, it still stands tall as a brilliant amp performing well above its original price-point.

A400 is a good amp indeed. My old one is currently on a well known auction site, and it also has a noisy volume pot.

 

[Ivek]

Several days ago I auditioned Dynaudio DM 3/7 with several Amps. Among many Rega Elex-R sounded best to my ears. It has excellent phono input, but no digital inputs. I saw on internet that Rega DAC old type could be bought new for sensible money.

As mentioned earlier IMHO Rega nad Dynaudio are good match,

 

[Ivek]

Several days ago I auditioned Dynaudio DM 3/7 with several Amps. Among many Rega Elex-R sounded best to my ears. It has excellent phono input, but no digital inputs. I saw on internet that Rega DAC old type could be bought new for sensible money.

As mentioned earlier IMHO Rega nad Dynaudio are good match,

 

[matthewpiano]

I'm surprised to hear any talk of 'taming' the top end of Dynaudios. The superb balance and control of their treble is one of the strong points of the DM range, totally out-classing the likes of B&W for refinement in this aspect.

I've had my DM2/6s for around 18 months. I do also have some Rega RS1s but, I've kept going back to the Dynaudios as for me they are a better all-rounder.

In that time I've found two amplifiers that really get the best out of them. The Rega Brio-R and Pioneer A-400 both work beautifully with the Dyns. The whole thing about Dyns being difficult to drive is absolute rubbish. They aren't. In fact, Dynaudio specifically made the DM series to work well with a wide range of amplifiers. The Brio-R and A400 both drive the 2/6s with no problems whatsoever, across a range of volume settings. I've also had an Exposure 1010 driving mine, and this also was not found wanting.

My suggestions would be to hear the Brio-R and Elex-R and choose the one you enjoy the best. I haven't heard the Hegel, but I trust Rick's judgement and so I would also say you should audition that. If you fancy seeing how cheaply you can get wonders out of the Dyns, give a Pioneer A-400 a whirl. There are risks - mine is on the sidelines due to a fault with the volume control - but if you get a good one, it still stands tall as a brilliant amp performing well above its original price-point.

Hi, I'm sorry but I have read your reply just now.

Thank you very much for your suggestions; I'm trying to buy an all-in-one good amp (with power, a good built-in dac and a good phono input, if it is possible!); the two Rega amps should be a good and cheaper choice but probably the Hegel fits better to my DM3/7 speakers....

What do You think about?

As I say, I haven't heard any Hegel amps so I couldn't possibly comment, but Rick's enthusiasm for them suggests they would be well worth auditioning.

 

[Best Buys]

Hi Guys, Thank you very much for all your comments. Unfortunately, I cannot audition any amp so, at the end, according to all your suggestions, I have three different options: 1) Hegel H80 + phono (In this case, do you know if I can use my cheap T-Preamp TCC TC-754 (only temporarily, of course)?); 2) Rega Elex-R (or Rega Brio???) + Dac ; 3) Roksan K3 + Dac; In your opinion, which one is the solution? Thanks again. Have a good night...

 

[dantt]

Hi Best Buys,i have in a home demo a Hegel H80 for my Dynaudio Excite X16 and i have to say it is really good.Also the dac built-in,it is very fine.I have in a past a Primare I22 and,for my taste,it's a little bit metallic.Right now i have a Nad 326bee and a C.A.Dacmagic and i have to change with this Hegel.Good luck.

 

[Best Buys]

Thank you very much.

some other advice from the forumers?

 

[Frank Harvey]

Within your budget, the Marantz PM8005 will tame the top end of your Dynaudios, but if that's not an issue for you, there's either the Rotel RA12, Quad Vena (no phono stage, but plenty of budget left for an off board one). If the 'budget stretching' is coming into play, there's the Rotel RA1570 to consider.

There aren't really too many pre/power combos around at this sort of price any more, but even if there was, this sort of budget is the domain of the integrated amplifier. The nearest system I'd recommend as a pre/power would be the Audiolab 8200CDQ, which is a good quality pre-amplifier/CD player using Sabre DACs with digital and analogue inputs, coupled with an 8200P power amp which is 100wpc. Again, no phono stage, but an off board one could be added. So that'd make a two box system system for about £1600 (plus phono stage, which would depend on which deck you have).

 

[Frank Harvey]

I'm surprised to hear any talk of 'taming' the top end of Dynaudios.

I say that because many people find them a little on the bright side. I'm not saying that is what I think, but having been a Dynaudios dealer for 10 years, I'm just conveying what many have said over that period of time from numerous auditions.

 

[Best Buys]

Hi Guys, what do you think about yamaha as701-dynaudio dm3/7???

 

[Vladimir]

I would checkout Emotiva gear and get a pre and power combo.

 

[dantt]

In the past,i tried for my excite Yamaha A-S1000 (my favourite amp for good looking and construction), unfortunately with disappointing results in sounds(it's weak,lack of attack and involve)From my opinion,Yamaha it's not a good match with Dynaudio.

 

[Best Buys]

I would checkout Emotiva gear and get a pre and power combo.

Hi, thank you very much for your suggestion, but I would like to buy an integrated amp with built in Dac and phono input (if possible....). I think a pre-power combo is too expensive for my budget.

 

[Best Buys]

In the past,i tried for my excite Yamaha A-S1000 (my favourite amp for good looking and construction), unfortunately with disappointing results in sounds(it's weak,lack of attack and involve)From my opinion,Yamaha it's not a good match with Dynaudio.

Hi, thanks.

Could you please let me know which amp was a good match with your excite?