Budget stereo amplifier

[omaribraz]

I have recently gotten into hi-fi systems and would like to get an amazing set up for my bedroom. I had purchased a set of Denon SCM mission SCM 50's second hand which are amazing. I drive them with a cheap Lepy 2024A+ amp connected to my pc. I was thinking of upgrading my amp and the two which have caught my eye are:

Onkyo A-9010 around £200

Marantz PM6005 around £250

The Onkyo doesn't have a digital input in the UK so I would be connecting it through the 3.5mm speaker out from my sound card to an RCA cable, however, the Marantz has a digital in so I could connect it with an optical cable direct from my PC. My question is:

1. Would the DAC in the Marantz be phenomenally better than using the Onkyo with a 3.5mm cable? (My motherboard has a Realtek ALC889 DAC)

2. Does it make much of a difference if I use a digital cable for stereo as far as I understand digital out is usually used carry 5.1 channels and all I need is stereo?

3. Additionally would buying a stereo amp make a significant difference compared to my current setup?

I have a lot of my music ripped as high quality flac files but recently I do use spotify a lot nowadays.

Best,

O

 

[macdiddy]

does not have a USB input on the rear.

*music2*

 

[muljao]

Optical into the marantz should be very good. The marantz is a very good performer for the money

 

[macdiddy]

you should get a much better sound with the Marantz than with your current amp.

*music2*

 

[omaribraz]

But it does have a digital optical input which I could use from my PC which has a digital out and most of the amps in that price range did not have any USB inputs sadly.

 

[omaribraz]

Thanks guys *biggrin*

 

[seemorebtts]

Are you using the Speaker's on a desktop or using as a hifi setup if you know what I mean

 

[omaribraz]

I will be using it primarily connected to my desktop, i dont think i will be connecting a record player or a CD player. But it will be connected to a set of Denon scm 50 speakers.

 

[Vladimir]

Although ALC889 DAC is very good, the audio output from your motherboard may not have the full 2Vrms needed for dynamic headroom in digital media. Using optical connection via the Marantz would be a safe choice and better option than USB.

 

[omaribraz]

Thanks guys. Ive decided to go with the Marantz *music2*