I'm looking at a bigger amp for my Dynaudio Focus 260. What will be the best amp for the Focus? Naim? But i don't like bright amp. Roksan Caspian? Read several reviews of this amp. Not reliable and often piece.
Best amp for Dynaudio Focus 260?
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steve_1979
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A bit of a curve ball suggestion here. 🙂
If you like the sound of your Dynaudio 260's but want a better amp have you considered selling both your current amplifier and speakers and replacing them with a pair of Dynaudio Xeo 5 active speakers? They have the Dynaudio family sound that you already know and like but with slightly better clarity and dynamic range thanks to them being active. They have two amplifiers built into each speaker (one for the tweeter and one for the woofers) which gives them better control and improves the sound quality.
If you like the sound of your Dynaudio 260's but want a better amp have you considered selling both your current amplifier and speakers and replacing them with a pair of Dynaudio Xeo 5 active speakers? They have the Dynaudio family sound that you already know and like but with slightly better clarity and dynamic range thanks to them being active. They have two amplifiers built into each speaker (one for the tweeter and one for the woofers) which gives them better control and improves the sound quality.
steve_1979
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matt49 said:
Fair point. 🙂
The active Xeo 5's are likely to have better dynamic range then the passive Dynaudio Focus 260 with a Roksan Caspian or Naim Nait XS amp. I haven't actually heard them all so couldn't say for sure though. But from my own experience and also from what I've read of other peoples experience, all of Dynaudio's active speakers have better clarity than their equivalent passive versions of the same speaker.
The Xeo 5's are just a possible option though and as always - try before you buy.
steve_1979 said:
... depending on what amplification the passives are used with.
Forigve me for putting words into your mouth, but I think what you're actually saying is: based on a handful of experiences of comparing active Dynaudios with the equivalent passives using amplification at a specific price point (what exactly?), you found the actives had better clarity. And you're now extrapolating from these experiences to the (dubious) conclusion that "all of Dynaudio's speakers have better clarity than the passive versions of the same speaker".
peterpan said:
I would suggest a short list of:
- Rega Elicit R
- Electrocompaniet ECI-3
- Musical Fidelity M3i
- Pathos Classic one Mk111
- Creek Destiny 2
- Heed Obolisk Si
What about Marantz?
I have now a Marantz Pearl Lite. Seems it has no problems to drive the focus 260. But i read that for Dynaudio a bigger amp is better.
I listen to symphonic metal, rock and pop, but can't listen to speakers with agrressive treble. And so after a long search i ended with the Dynaudio. Many would say not the best choice for my music, but with "my ears" it is the best choice.
CnoEvil (nice name....); from all the amps you mention i read they are on the site of bright.
I have now a Marantz Pearl Lite. Seems it has no problems to drive the focus 260. But i read that for Dynaudio a bigger amp is better.
I listen to symphonic metal, rock and pop, but can't listen to speakers with agrressive treble. And so after a long search i ended with the Dynaudio. Many would say not the best choice for my music, but with "my ears" it is the best choice.
CnoEvil (nice name....); from all the amps you mention i read they are on the site of bright.
peterpan said:
I picked them specifically because they are not bright......though I haven't heard the Obelisk.
It's the match with Dynaudio that is important, and I can't help you with that I'm afraid.
matt49 said:
I'd say that the active version of a passive speaker will have better clarity assuming both are competently designed, and properly powered, full stop.
I'm sure you know what the advantages of an active crossover are, so won't regurgitate the facts.
Having said that the Xeo's are not active Focus', they should be compared with the Excite range - according to my local Dyn dealer.
Back to the op, Focus's are very power hungry, they need a lot of control from the amp.
These Xeo 5 speakers.. I wouldn't like to have cable out of my laptop or phone in order to play music.. it's marketed as 'unplug and play' while my m-cr510 with Kef's plays with less cables via Airplay.. I don't understand the idea of being able to move speakers cause they're wireless ( still connected to mains, thought).. speakers usually have one sweet spot in a given room... I would try Electrocompaniet with your 260.. I've heard ECI 6DS with Focus 160 and it was an excellent combination !!
lpv said:
I think you're missing the point. They're not limited to using a laptop or phone to play music; pretty much any source you can think of can be connected. Just think of them as an active speaker that doesn't have to have signal cables trailing around the room.
I've just imagine how it could be connected.. let's say cd transport/ or cd player and tv connected to transmitter. all on some kind of tv/ hi fi rack. speakers connected to mains ( you lucky enough to have sockets where you want place the speakers).. but you want to play some music from laptop or phone ( let's say you want to stream spotify or internet radio from your sofa), you have to trail the cable across the room ( from laptop/ phone to transmitter) to play music. I'm not talking here about sonic abilities of dynaudio speakers ( they're really good) but dynaudio concept of 'unplug and play' it's a bit misleading.
plastic penguin
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peterpan said:
Having heard Naim XS amp with Dyn Contour S1.4 the sound was superb. The only snag is I don't whether the tonal qualities of your Dyns are the same as the Contours. Well worth giving it a road test.
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