TrevC said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Personally I'd stay away from the Yamaha amp... Found it to be very poor, very clinical sounding and without a great soundstage... Heard it with the Dali Lektor speakers and M/A GX speakers also with a ribbon tweeter
The Dali Icon speakers you've mentioned a great speakers and deserve much better amplification... The amps mentioned above would suit very well
Would be handy to know what your budget is and what music you listen to?
Personally I'd look at a decent 2nd hand amp (Arcam FMJ A32, Roksan Kandy K2, Cyrus 8vs2/8XP) etc...
What makes you think the amplifiers above are any better? Because they cost more? The K2 only got four stars against the Yamaha's five, by the way. I listen to folk, classical, rock, country and blues. Pick me an amp! Why on earth would you buy second hand with no remote when, for similar money, you can buy new with a remote.
I've heard hundreds of SS amps over the years and realised years ago that, providing they are good quality, they invariably sound so similar they are impossible to tell apart. Which is why I advise concentrating on the sound of the speakers, which sound vastly different..
First of all, regarding your previous post, I never said the Yamaha was bad, i just said I didn't like it personally, and that HE (the OP) might enjoy it.
Secondly, no, they aren't better because they cost more, they're better because they're better - and it's generally apparent when you do A/B testing, not hearing stuff weeks apart. Also, granted, some people don't hear the difference, which is why I said "let YOUR ears decide".
Thirdly, four stars vs five stars is an irrellevant point, since it's all subjective. You might enjoy a 2 star product that I hate and hate a 5 star product that I love. Also, the ratings are taking account of the respective price bracket, so the K2 would have 4 stars (which it doesn't anyway, it's only the BT version I think) against the similarly priced Arcam FMJ A19 or whatever. It's not competing with the Yamaha.
Also, for me the Yamaha was lifeless - the Roksan has more juice and a more refined sound. Again: FOR ME! But that's why I said to the OP - AUDITION.