Amplifier recommendations

[linupingu]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to this journey and recently picked up a pair of ELAC Debut 3 DB53 for my small living room (about 8 × 10 ft).

I’m now looking for an amplifier and am debating between an all-in-one option like the Yamaha R-N600A with built-in streaming, or a more traditional integrated amp such as the Denon PMA-600NE paired with a separate streamer. In my market (Canada), the Yamaha is currently on sale for around $600, while I’ve found an open-box Denon for about $300.

I’d really appreciate any input or alternative amp/streamer pairings you’d recommend for a first setup. Thanks in advance!

 

[abacus]

You need to go to a dealer and try some out, as not all amplifiers work well with all speakers, so buying blind is a recipe for disaster. (Remember, everybody's ears and preference's are different, so what sounds great to one person, can sound poor to another)

Bill

 

[nopiano]

The Denon at 300 Canadian dollars sounds like a bargain to me. I understand Bill’s point but you really can’t go wrong there, if you have the space for it. Bluetooth built in and a phono stage if you play LPs.

Bluesound make streamers with amplifiers, but no idea what you local prices might be. I think of them as Canadian, but everything is international today!

If you want tiny and all in one, the Wiim Amp Pro or Ultra is worth a look.

 

[Rodolfo]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to this journey and recently picked up a pair of ELAC Debut 3 DB53 for my small living room (about 8 × 10 ft).

I’m now looking for an amplifier and am debating between an all-in-one option like the Yamaha R-N600A with built-in streaming, or a more traditional integrated amp such as the Denon PMA-600NE paired with a separate streamer. In my market (Canada), the Yamaha is currently on sale for around $600, while I’ve found an open-box Denon for about $300.

I’d really appreciate any input or alternative amp/streamer pairings you’d recommend for a first setup. Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum. There are many amps that will work fine with your ELACs, but not many bargains, especially on quality units: I'd grab that Denon. Streaming options are always developing and improving, and Yamaha's MusicCast may prove limited today or later. I like and respect Yamaha very much, and more so as a corporation; so this is not to degrade that option.

I've always used tablets and impressive digital audio players to connect and stream from various sources, wired and wirelessly, through/to my excellent Rotel A12 amp, as well as independently. This flexibility has served me well for years, and I'm confident that I'll be able to adapt as streaming software and services develop and multiply. I especially value the portability of these streaming methods or means. This is also to say that I don't value the "built-in streaming" feature of the Yamaha. But, then, I don't value dedicated streamers either.

Enjoy your new journey, and the music playing through your eventual selection.