amplifiers????

[iceman16]

I think the power supply of an amplifier is "one" of the most important thing to consider.

That's taken care of in the wattage spec, which is usually quoted with both channels operating at full power.

I beg to disagree my friend! I have both these 2 amp and compared directly with same speakers,source and cables. The Brio-r cant get even closer to the MF AMS! (50w vs 35w)

I've compared toast with marmalade and I prefer sausage.

If an amplifer meets output specification with both channels operating then there's nothing about the power supply that requires improvement.

I dont like marmalade

 

[TrevC]

I think the power supply of an amplifier is "one" of the most important thing to consider.

That's taken care of in the wattage spec, which is usually quoted with both channels operating at full power.

I beg to disagree my friend! I have both these 2 amp and compared directly with same speakers,source and cables. The Brio-r cant get even closer to the MF AMS! (50w vs 35w)

I've compared toast with marmalade and I prefer sausage.

If an amplifier meets output specification with both channels operating then there's nothing about the power supply that requires improvement.

 

[jonathanRD]

Considering the Pioneer the OP has been looking at is at the budget end of things, I don't think he is in the market for anything like the price of the amps mentioned so far.

At the this price point I think the Denon PMA 520AE would be a good choice. It delivers 45W into 8 ohms, has a built in phono stage and comes with everything that is useful, like remote, headphones socket, tone controls etc...

The Pioneer A-30 may be worth a look, The A-10 I wouldn't bother with. I see Pioneer quote their ratings at 4 ohms, which for the unknowledgable is quite sneaky. You can pretty much half that output at 8 ohms.

If you can up the price a bit then the Pioneer A-50, Marantz PM 6005, NAD C316 BEE or C326 BEE are well worth checking out. Personally I'm biased towards NAD, always found them very clean and powerful sounding, with excellent features. Although you'd need separate phono pre amps with the NADs.

Spot on - if I had not been busy all day this is pretty close to what I would have said (except for the NAD bit).

 

[jonathanRD]

I gathered from the original posters question at the start of this thread that he isn't fully clued up. So I tried to be as brief and simple as possible in advising him on what to look out for on paper.

I agree - I just got the feeling that the wrong type of answers would discourage the OP.

It's no wonder he has not been back to comment since *unknw*

 

[kobyf]

Thanks everyone for your help. Most of what I've read has cleared some things up for me. I think im probably going to go for the denon pma520ae. This one seems to be the one that stands out the most of it's delivering 45watts into 8ohms. What do you guys think?

 

[jonathanRD]

The Denon PMA520AE is the amplifier I suggested to a work colleague a few months ago - he wanted to get into vinyl and had a tight budget. He then discovered his wife was pregnant so as a first time dad, he thought he'd better save his money.

The Denon is great value for the money, and will form a very good base for your system - especially if you upgrade your speakers in the future. Although I have not heard it myself, when I was doing my research - this amp was suggested a lot at this price point.

 

[kobyf]

Thanks very much for your help and everyone else's help. Its been greatly appreciated. Thanks again. I can get the denon on sale from richer sounds for £120 at the minute so why not?

 

[MeanandGreen]

Thanks very much for your help and everyone else's help. Its been greatly appreciated. Thanks again. I can get the denon on sale from richer sounds for £120 at the minute so why not? 

It looks like a very good amplifer especially at that price. You should be able to buy it with confidence.

 

[Pistol Pete1]

Thanks very much for your help and everyone else's help. Its been greatly appreciated. Thanks again. I can get the denon on sale from richer sounds for £120 at the minute so why not?

That is an 'in store' only offer. If colour didn't matter, the Denon PMA720 is only £150 @ the same place or the Marantz PM5005/Denon PMA720 (BLACK) for £170 delivered if you can't get to a store?

 

[antskip]

Thanks everyone for your help. Most of what I've read has cleared some things up for me. I think im probably going to go for the denon pma520ae. This one seems to be the one that stands out the most of it's delivering 45watts into 8ohms. What do you guys think?

If at all possible, try out a possible new component with your existing components in their intended environment. Next best is to compare the new component with alternatives, leaving unchanged other components, environment, and source recording. Hearsay should be the beginning of the process, not the end...

 

[kobyf]

Just out of curiosity, what are some noticeable things i may hear when using an underpowered amp? And sonic things I may hear with regards to quality of playback?

 

[MeanandGreen]

Just out of curiosity, what are some noticeable things i may hear when using an underpowered amp? And sonic things I may hear with regards to quality of playback?

Having googled your current amp, I would say the suggested Denon which fits within your budget should comfortably out perform it.

How far do you turn the volume dial on your current amp to get the levels you want? 10 o'clock, 12 o'clock for example?

Using an underpowered amp generally means that you are pushing it beyond its peak power capabilities and the signal to the speakers becomes clipped. This will sound distorted, hard, brash and generally unpleasant. This will occur at high volume levels. How loud do you listen, does your current amp sound distorted?

Realistically you probably listen to music using single figures of wattage. Also twice the power doesn't give twice the volume. I would honestly say that anyone pushing a 45w amplifier into clipping regularly won't have healthy hearing for very long.

 

[kobyf]

I usually have my volume around halfway up. The characteristics you described seem to match the problems im having with playback quality. I downloaded a pdf manual of my current amplifier and it says it delivers 35 watts at 6ohms. Im guessing my power output will be significantly less on my 8ohms speakers?

 

[Anderson]

I usually have my volume around halfway up. The characteristics you described seem to match the problems im having with playback quality. I downloaded a pdf manual of my current amplifier and it says it delivers 35 watts at 6ohms. Im guessing my power output will be significantly less on my 8ohms speakers?

Yup. Probably about 25 watts at 8ohms.

 

[MeanandGreen]

I usually have my volume around halfway up. The characteristics you described seem to match the problems im having with playback quality. I downloaded a pdf manual of my current amplifier and it says it delivers 35 watts at 6ohms. Im guessing my power output will be significantly less on my 8ohms speakers?

That is also at 1% THD (total harmonic distortion) which these days is pretty poor.

What condition is your turntable in, stylus etc...?

 

[kobyf]

Its an old turntable but its got a brand new cartridge/stylus and a brand new belt.

 

[MeanandGreen]

Its an old turntable but its got a brand new cartridge/stylus and a brand new belt.

Just ruling that out then. I think your amplifier is pretty poor and also your speakers aren't that good either to be honest.

I think changing the amp will make a very significant improvement, but you'll probably want better speakers later on to make the most of the amp upgrade too.

 

[kobyf]

Yeah I think my speakers will have to do for the time being. I think im better to get an amp first though

 

[kobyf]

Im guessing that the pma720ae would be a perfectly suitable amp to get as well?

 

[jonathanRD]

Yeah I think my speakers will have to do for the time being. I think im better to get an amp first though

Hi kobyf - once you've got your amp please let us know how you get on.

Also, try to stick around and pick up on any threads with suggestions/tips regarding speakers that might suit your amp, room and music tastes. With a better idea of what may suit you - you can also have a look at 2nd hand speakers on some well known internet sites or any available special offers. And if you get a chance drop into any local hifi shops and have a listen. A little research and listening should make your next purchase easier.

 

[jonathanRD]

Im guessing that the pma720ae would be a perfectly suitable amp to get as well?

Perfectly suitable too - a little more juice may not make that much difference now, but will help reduce any future concerns of lack of power when you look to upgrade your speakers.

 

[kobyf]

Thank you very much everyone who commented on my thread. Your input really cleared up some stuff i was unsure about. I just pulled the trigger on the denon pma720ae. Thanks everyone

 

[MeanandGreen]

Thank you very much everyone who commented on my thread. Your input really cleared up some stuff i was unsure about. I just pulled the trigger on the denon pma720ae. Thanks everyone

I'm sure it will be a big improvement over your old Technics.

Enjoy!

 

[Pistol Pete1]

Thank you very much everyone who commented on my thread. Your input really cleared up some stuff i was unsure about. I just pulled the trigger on the denon pma720ae. Thanks everyone

For the money, its a great choice! Let us know what you think when you get it, but remember that it may take some hours use to get it to it's best.

 

[kobyf]

The denon arrived today. Got it all hooked up and playing. Already sounds worlds apart from my previous amp. How long will it take for it to "break in" if you will?