A Question for the Experts (Hardware Partnering).

[admin_exported]

System: Rotel RA-06 amp.....Arcam CD73T CD player.....Pro-Ject RPM4 turntable.....Focal Chorus 714V speakers.

Hi!

I'm looking to change my amplifier because I'm not happy with the overall sound from my system. It's just too laid back and unexciting. I think the main problem is the partnering of the Rotel amp and the Focal speakers (I noticed the reduction of "punch" straight away when I replaced my AE Aegis Evo3's with the Focals last year). It's gotten to the point where I simply don't enjoy listening to it anymore so a change is urgently needed!

The review of the Cambridge Audio 650A in this month's What Hi-Fi sounds promising and it's the right price for my budget, so I wanted to ask if you think it would be a good choice? I like a range of musical styles and so I'm looking for an amp which is versatile enough to faithfully reproduce the gentle ambience of a Harold Budd composition while also, more importantly, possessing the ability to convey the energy and toe-tapping drive of an early Kinks or Stones single. I also thought that the inherent treble brightness of the 650A might be useful for offsetting the generally warm character of the existing hardware in my setup.

 

[drummerman]

Try and borrow one for a day then you know. Cheap amps do certain things well, others not so. Personally I'd start with something like one of cyrus'es amplifiers or a Naim Nait, maybe a Rega Brio as an absolute minimum. Anything else is a step sidewards with minimal gain. As always, speaker dependant so you need to try yourself and you may find that you prefer your existing amplifier with different speakers or ... the cdp is wanting as well. A good dealer can help.

I always find that when auditioning a component, it's useful to partner it with a good system even if it's out of your price range at present. It'll give you some idea of where the whole chebang could go and save money in the long run.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, the Naim Nait5i or the Cyrus should meet your requirements perfectly - not heard the Rega.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. The Nait5i and Cyrus are a bit out of my price range unfortunately. I know the 650A would be virtually a sideways step but that's OK because I'm not treating this as an upgrade, more a correction! I'm happy with the clarity and detail at this cheaper level, I just need an amp that can replace that "punch" factor which is really lacking at the moment.

I was also considering the NAD C326. The review suggests it possesses this "toe-tapping" characteristic but I'm not sure if the Focal speakers will reveal it's apparent limitations?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, the Focals might.

You might also try the Harman Kardon HK 980 amp, which might go well with the Focals since it's the same company, but you're probably better off saving for a better amp. Alternatively there are good ex dem prices going on now for both Naim and Cyrus gear.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Tarquinh:You might also try the Harman Kardon HK 980 amp, which might go well with the Focals since it's the same company

I'm not aware of Focal being the same company as Harman/Kardon, and I think it may come as a bit of a suprise to the guys on the outskirts of St Etienne, too...

 

[Anonymous]

I never considered ex-dem gear, that's an interesting thought. The amp would unfortunately need tone controls because my system will be housed in a smallish room for the forseeable future, so I'll need the ability to turn down the bass from time to time. That tends to exclude a lot of the pricier amps unfortunately.

Something around £350 however would fit nicely price-wise with the rest of the hardware, each of which cost roughly that amount (apart from the Focals) so hopefully the sound reproduction wouldn't be overly compromised.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Andrew! Do you think either the 650A or NAD C326 would be good choices for putting the kick back into the music? I thought the Cambridge amp, by being a bit bright in the treble, might also help counteract the general "warmth" of the peripherals in my setup? Both amps are within my current price range of £350 approx.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:
Tarquinh:You might also try the Harman Kardon HK 980 amp, which might go well with the Focals since it's the same company

I'm not aware of Focal being the same company as Harman/Kardon, and I think it may come as a bit of a suprise to the guys on the outskirts of St Etienne, too...

Shock, more like. I was thinking of JBL.