B&W 683 S2 - Which Stereo Integrated Amplifier?

[rgking94]

Hello everyone,

I currently have a Denon x2000 receiver (sold previous 3.1 MA range), and have just ordered the B&W 683 S2 speakers (ex demo £900). I am also looking to upgrade the receiver to a stereo amp as i mainly listen to music. I understand that my ear is the best decision maker, however i am just looking for some advice on what to begin to look for, and a few other questions. I listen to all genres of music, and the room is rather large rectangular.

1) I have been looking at the Rotel RA1570 however i can not find any large discounts or second hand units. I am trying to source a second hand unit as you seem to get twice what you pay for! Happy to pay £1000, so looking for a retail amp of £1600+ maybe?

2) I would like a integrated amp to keep things simple for myself. I listen to music through TIDAL and I am looking at streaming the music through lossless AIRPLAY (which was easy with my denon). How would I do this with a stereo amp?

3) DAC, if i stream my music does my computer DAC convert the music before the built in amp DAC? Wil this affect the quality? - little confused about the whole DAC part of things!

Any help is highly appreciated. I am looking to go into superfi soon to trial a few amps. Thank you!

 

[George Hincapie]

You are doing the exact same thing as me; I have a Tidal HIFI subscription and love it!

I am still finding my feet with the technology, so I am sure someone will correct me, but if you are just going to stream, then all you need to add to your speakers are an amp and a decent DAC. If your budget is up to £1K, then you can actually buy new and buy very well IMHO.

Have a look at the Rega BRIO-R amp which is well regarded by owners on these forums. Lots of other options around the £500 mark though, so take your time. Rega also make a standalone DAC which is supposedly good (haven't used it myself, just what I've read). Personally I have an AudioLab M-DAC, which is really nice.

Lovely speakers you've ordered BTW.

 

[Frank Harvey]

You will find ex demo RA1570s if you look hard enough...

Very few amplifiers will incorporate AirPlay (it is more common to AV receivers), but the RA1570 does come with a Bluetooth dongle, if this helps. You can pick up AirPlay receivers which you'll be able to plug into the Rotel digitally. Alternatively, you could add something like a Denon HEOS Link or Sonos Connect which again, you could plug in digitally to the Rotel. This will provide TIDAL amongst many other music streaming apps, as well as internet radio, network streaming,

What source were you looking to stream via AirPlay?

Anything you send digitally to the Rotel will be decoded to analogue by the Rotel's own DAC. You only need to use one DAC, and that'll be the better one, which will more than likely be the one in the Rotel than the one your computer.

 

[George Hincapie]

I stream Tidal from a laptop via USB to my M-DAC. Works well and you can use an iPad on something like a Cambridge Audio ID100 instead if you wish.

Personally I think an amp with a standalone DAC is the best option. The ESS Sabre chip in the M-DAC is considered the best currently available, but from what I understand the Wolfson chip in competing products is good also.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

Right now there's a pair of arcams a85/p85 integrated and power on the bay for less than £400 ,absolutely a bargain at that money,nearly £1400(in there day) worth of amps there,and will drive those b&w's just dandy!had said pairing myself drving cm5's and it was very good.

 

[George Hincapie]

Right now there's a pair of arcams a85/p85 integrated and power on the bay for less than £400 ,absolutely a bargain at that money,nearly £1400(in there day) worth of amps there,and will drive those b&w's just dandy!had said pairing myself drving cm5's and it was very good.

Or just buy the 2nd hand power amp and a decent dac with built in pre-amp and he's good to go.

No need at all for an integrated IMHO unless he has a requirement for a turntable in the future is there?

There's a DacMagic Plus on eBay for £200. Or a brand new AudioLab Q-DAC & M-PWR combo for less than £450.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

If it was me..I'd just buy a naim unitiqute 2 at not much more than the 1k with excellent dac/amp and streaming all in one box with support for tidal and a decent upgrade path if the need ever arises.

 

[rgking94]

really looking for 2nd hand gear for £1k, i want to get the most out of the speakers

 

[plastic penguin]

really looking for 2nd hand gear for £1k, i want to get the most out of the speakers

Rotel would be my choice.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi rgking94

You should also consider Hegel's H80 amp/DAC and H160 amp/DAC/AirPlay (the latter which you might be able find used or demo at the top of your budget). As gradually more and more people are discovering Hegel amplification with their clear, smooth, weighty, grippy, tight fisted and punchy bass helps to form a top match with B&W speakers

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Al ears]

Hi rgking94

You should also consider Hegel's H80 amp/DAC and H160 amp/DAC/AirPlay (the latter which you might be able find used or demo at the top of your budget). As gradually more and more people are discovering Hegel amplification with their clear, smooth, weighty, grippy, tight fisted and punchy bass helps to form a top match with B&W speakers

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

+1

 

[rainsoothe]

If it was me..I'd just buy a naim unitiqute 2 at not much more than the 1k with excellent dac/amp and streaming all in one box with support for tidal and a decent upgrade path if the need ever arises.

+1 to exactly this (either new or used, but make sure it's the bluetooth version). To which you can find a nice ex-dem or used Naim Nap100 and either use the Nap100 straight into the B&W, or bi-amp - UQ2 to the tweeters, Nap100 to bass.

Alternatively, look at Naim Unitilite or Hegel H160 (or use a laptop into a Hegel H80).

 

[rgking94]

Thank you rick! Would you know anywhere that currently sells the Hegel 160? I can only find it online for £2,350

 

[drummerman]

Thank you rick! Would you know anywhere that currently sells the Hegel 160? I can only find it online for £2,350

Sudden step up from your £1k budget ...

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi rgkjng94

You're welcome.

We also support Hegel Music Systems and currently have on dem/display their H80, H160, H360, HD12, HD30 and H30

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[manicm]

If it was me..I'd just buy a naim unitiqute 2 at not much more than the 1k with excellent dac/amp and streaming all in one box with support for tidal and a decent upgrade path if the need ever arises.

Even too few Naim watts will not be enough, as is the case in the Qute, to properly drive the 683 S2.

 

[rgking94]

I agree, what amp do you purpose?

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

the unitiqute will drive those towers without any fuss,89db into 8ohms is no probs .the unitiqute has a great power supply as has all naim products,which will help grip those woofers and tweeter.but a nap 100 as already suggested would sort it right out.

 

[George Hincapie]

He doesn't have to use a Naim PA though. The Naim streamer is a thing of beauty - no argument there, but in terms of muscle, he could get a lot more for his money if he bought a pair of second hand mono blocks to run with it, or perhaps a really nice stereo PA. Then upgrade to Naim later if he's fussed.

There needs to be a balance between quality and value for money and he would be better off directing his spend in a more measured way. Seems sensible.

IMHO.

As if I have a clue

 

[rgking94]

Ok so i have narrowed it down to:

1) Rotel RA1570

2) Roksan Caspian M2

3) Arcam A39

4) Naim Nait XS-2

Which do you think and why???

 

[George Hincapie]

Ok so i have narrowed it down to:

1) Rotel RA1570

2) Roksan Caspian M2

3) Arcam A39

4) Naim Nait XS-2

Which do you think and why???

I think you need to go and listen to them and make your mind up. Should be straightforward to find a dealer with your speakers and they are all common brands.

 

[rgking94]

Hello,

Unfortunately not as they are very high priced. I went to superfi today and they only had the arcam a29, which sounded superb! The a39 must excel.

 

[George Hincapie]

They aren't that expensive in pure HIFI terms - you might need to spend some time identifying specialist stores within a manageable distance and make some calls rather than relying on chains.

I hope you find what you want, good luck.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Ok so i have narrowed it down to:

1) Rotel RA1570

2) Roksan Caspian M2

3) Arcam A39

4) Naim Nait XS-2?

Which do you think and why???

Dont think any of those but if i were forced to chose would be the a39. But its you that needs to live with it not me.

For £1000 mark id definately check out abrahamsen intergrated instead of those mentioned but tou would need a dac or player

 

[manicm]

the unitiqute will drive those towers without any fuss,89db into 8ohms is no probs .the unitiqute has a great power supply as has all naim products,which will help grip those woofers and tweeter.but a nap 100 as already suggested would sort it right out.

The Qute with the NAP absolutely, the Qute by itself I'm afraid not. Do note that the 683 S2 has a minimum impedance of 3ohms. The 600 series has generally always had a good paper spec for sensitivity, but a lowish impedance. They've always liked a bit more power and the same is true of the latest 600 range.