Best Amp for Dance Music?

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Hope you guys can help me find a good solution to my plight. I've
collected and mixed House music for 18 years now and need a new budget setup. I
don’t consider myself as a complete audiophile although some of the productions
I have on vinyl would benefit from a setup that can deliver a modest level of
high fidelity.

I listen to Deep House and need an amplifier that can encapsulate the
warmth and beauty of vinyl and still produce the delicate sounds of a triangle
or harp. I would like the option of volume as I do have the odd get together
with noisy friends. I also don't mind second hand amplifiers if I can find the right one.

I’ve looked at Wharfedale Xarus XR-5000 speakers for loudness coupled
with Wharfedale 9.2 speakers to use more for monitoring and providing a slightly
better top end.

I’ve also looked at Mission MV8 speakers with MV4 for monitoring.
Although I use the term “Monitoring” I’d rather not go down the route of active
nearfield monitors again as I’d like a speaker that will give more enjoyment
while I DJ.

Another thing that has puzzled me slightly is how two sets of different
wattage speakers will act bi-wired together run from the same amp; will I need
to put some form of inline volume control to reduce the monitors?

Any help with this will be much appreciated!
 
A

Anonymous

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I really like Marantz amplifiers with electronic music - check out PM6002, PM7003 or look for a bargain on PM7001. All of these amps also provide 2 sets of speaker outputs and they can easily be turned on/off.

Btw - bi-wiring refers to wiring 1 set of speakers with 2 sets of cables - one pair to HF and one to LF/MF.
 

d_a_n1979

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But if you have an amp with 2 sets of speaker terminals (A & B) you can run 2 sets of speakers off the one integrated amp (i.e. Arcam, NAD etc...)

IMO; i think you'd be best off with a NAD amp.

Not sure on your budget but the NAD C355BEE integrated amp is a stunner and with your taste in usic, similar to mine, it would be well suited. Powerful too so will drive a number of speakers with ease
 
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Anonymous

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Thanks for your reply chainrock... can't beleive it... both you and d_a_n1979 replied with the exact models I've been looking at. I really liked the Marantz and may even look at the 7200 KI as well. I also like the NAD C355BEE so I think it may be whatever comes first on eBay I'll have.

Again thanks for your input it's really appreciated!!!
 

d_a_n1979

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If youre after 2nd hand then the NAD C355BEE rarely appears on eBay

The Arcam Alpha 10 integrated amp would be a very good option as well. Great soundstage, solid, deep bass and sweet, crisp treble.

105w per channel and with 2 sets of speaker outputs. Can be driven hard as well AND, futher down the line, can be bi-amped with the matching Arcam Alpha 10P power amp.
 
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Anonymous

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Thanks for your reply d_a_n1979... I think you and chainrock have really put my mind at rest... the models both of you suggested I've already been looking at. I just need to decide now which to go for!!!

Thanks again for your input... it's appreciated greatly!!!
 
A

Anonymous

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I'll take a look at the Arcam Alpha 10... it might be right up my street. You're right about the NAD C355BEE. As yet there are plenty of Marantz amps on eBay but no C355BEE's. Guess I'll have to buy new if I decide on this one! Thanks again!
 

d_a_n1979

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I listen to a lot of House music (Danny Tenaglia, MAW, Hed Kandi, Frankie Knuckles, Eric Morillo etc...) and IMO, the Marantz wouldnt sound as good as either the NAD or the Arcam amps.

Dont get me wrong; with the right music the Marantz amps perform well (jazz, classical, vocals, acoustic etc...) but with deep, solid, punchy bass with mixed vocals and fast beats, the NAD and Arcam would perform a lot better IMO.

Both the NAD and Arcam amps mentioned kick well above their weight and can drive a lot of speakers on the market today.
 
A

Anonymous

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I disagree that Marantz wouldn't sound as good.

Try going to dealer and auditioning both. Put 355BEE against PM7003 or PM7001 and let us know what you think. It's more effort in the short run but big payoff in the long run.

Marantz 7001 or 7001Ki don't appear much on ebay but you can find them new in a few stores around UK.
 
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Anonymous

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Just looking and found this amp NAD-C352 that's now discontinued... Any thoughts on this monster?
 

d_a_n1979

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Great amp; i have one as well.

Got great reviews but it is a stonking amp; bags of power with a brilliant soundstage and great for House music :)

It only has one set of speaker outputs though. It can still be bought new as well from Stone Audio and can be got on eBay 2nd hand as well.

For the same price new though; you can get the NAD C355BEE
 
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Anonymous

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Cheers d_a_n1979... think I'm decided now... it's the C355BEE for me!!! Thanks for your help!!!
 

d_a_n1979

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No worries; if you're going for a new one i can highly recommend Superfi:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3868

OR:

Laserline:

http://www.laserlinehifi.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/65536?gclid=CJiWzfidjJkCFYQI3wodFSLJmA

Are you going to try and demo or are you looking to buy blind?

Also; have you decided what speakers youre going for?
 
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Anonymous

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Thanks for reply... I'm going to buy blind. I'm looking for budget speakers so I've looked at Wharfedale Xarus XR-5000 speakers for loudness coupled with Wharfedale 9.2 speakers to use more for monitoring. I've also looked at Mission MV8 speakers with MV4 for monitoring.
 

d_a_n1979

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Budget speakers would be wasted on the NAD.

IMO if you're looking around those price brackets i'd be looking on eBay for 2nd hand examples of Monitor Audio BR2's, B&W 602 S2's or 602 S3's or Acoustic Energy AE109's

The above mentioned will blow the Wharfedale XR500's out of the water and offer you bass depth that's well timed and punchy as well as smooth and detailed midrange and good, crisp treble!

Sunday to Sunday auctions are usually the best for eBay so get looking tonight and tomorrow onwards :)
 
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Anonymous

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Absolutely agree with d_a_n1979 on this. He has suggested the right short list of speakers that complement that NAD amp for the money. As you are not auditioning (that is right isn't it?) I would back dan's 'no brainer' short list as these suggestioned system matching combinations are well recognised / trusted.
 
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Anonymous

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Thanks again... I'll take a look at those speakers. Thought they'd be out of my price range so didn't bother to begin with. Cheers
 
A

Anonymous

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Thanks for your input... two minds are better than one especially when speaking the same language. I've had some great advice here and feel confident now with my selection of equipment. Thanks again!
 

d_a_n1979

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Not sure where you live and how far you're prepared to travel if necessary but IMO you need to be watching these:

Acoustic Energy AE120's -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Acoustic-Energy-AE120-Floor-Standing-Speakers_W0QQitemZ270354738606QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item270354738606&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo 3's -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ACOUSTIC-ENERGY-AEGIS-EVO-THREE-HIFI-FLOOR-LOUDSPEAKERS_W0QQitemZ270354811826QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item270354811826&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Acoustic Energy NEO 3's -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Acoustic-Energy-NEO-3-Speakers-RRP-370-Light-Oak_W0QQitemZ380105229847QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item380105229847&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

These got very good What Hifi reviews ?

B&W 602 standmount speakers -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-DM602-120W-Floor-standing-speakers-with-stands-x2_W0QQitemZ190291947212QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item190291947212&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Another set of B&W 602's -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-speakers-DM602-Floor-Standing_W0QQitemZ190291910184QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item190291910184&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

B&W 602 S2's -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-DM602-S2-speakers_W0QQitemZ110361248655QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item110361248655&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

These would be a superb buy if you're prepared to get them fixed; the damaged tweeter is just the cover so it wouldn't effect the sound. B&W P5's -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-P5-Speakers_W0QQitemZ110361251743QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item110361251743&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

B&W 602.5 S3's -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-DM602-5-S3-FLOOR-STANDING-SPEAKERS_W0QQitemZ230329698362QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item230329698362&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Great
advice as always... I'm in spiting distance of some of the speakers... must be
fate! I must admit though now I've really looked I think the Monitor Audio
BR2's in Walnut are right up my street. They have enough clarity for me but
also and most importantly have oomph for my kind of music! I also really like
the Acoustic Energy AE109's in black... not sure if these will have enough
headroom for me but I think its close. For my main speakers I really need power
as I often have parties. The BR2'S are perfect for me to monitor but I think I
need a heftier speaker for my main set. Think further down the line I'll pick
up another smaller NAD amp just to run the BR2's and use the C355BEE for my
main set. Can you also recommend another set of speakers slightly more powerful
than the AE109's?

Thanks
again mate... much much appreciated!!!!!
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Are you still talking the same budget? I think the AE Neo 3 recommendation is a good one. Great all round speakers coming to the end of their time so can be had for bargain prices brand new (<£200).I used to own a pair, they are good value at the original £400 odd RRP.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Same budget... I like the Neo 3's in black... really nice speakers. I think I'm about there now. Great choice of equipment so I feel confident in spending the money now. It's definitely the NAD C355BEE and BR2's with Acoustic Energy NEO 3's.

AWESOME Thanks Dan!!!!
 

d_a_n1979

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The BR2's will surprise you with the amount of bass they offer; same with the B&W 602 S2's as well BUT they do need good, solid stands so something like the Atacama Nexus 5/6i's loaded with Atabites would be spot on :)

The AE Neo 3's are brilliant speakers too; kick well above their price tag and go low/loud as well; theyll lap up the NAD's power.

Other floorstanding speakers to consider would be the B&W 603 S2's or S3's as well but they go for around the £250-£350 mark currently.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Great thanks... I'm going to be putting the BR2's on some welsh slate as they'll be sat on top of some vinyl units... can't use stands or they'll be above my ear height. I'll have a look at the B&W 603's though... I've read those and the AE Neo 3's are superb loud speakers which is what I need. I have no neighbors to worry about so the louder the better!!!

Thanks again
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Great thanks... I'm going to be putting the BR2's on some welsh slate as they'll be sat on top of some vinyl units... can't use stands or they'll be above my ear height. I'll have a look at the B&W 603's though... I've read those and the AE Neo 3's are superb loud speakers which is what I need. I have no neighbors to worry about so the louder the better!!!

Thanks again
 

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