help choosing stereo amp

[hybridauth_Facebook_958462317541899]

hello need help choosing a stereo amp iam using a marantz mcr 510 at the moment but would like to upgrade, iam going to buy the pioneer n50a network player but i need a new amp iwas looking at the marantz pm 6005, this is aroud my budget of 350, is there anyone that could maybe give some opinions on this amp or any other suggestions, this will be my first proper stereo amp so iam a bit unsure, any help appreciated, cheers, also the speakers iam using are monitor audio bx2

 

[rainsoothe]

Hi. Imo, if you upgrade to Pioneer N50 A and stuff like Marantz PM6005 and keep your speakers, it would be a very marginal improvement.

You should aim for Pioneer N50A + Arcam A19 + Focal Aria 906 or something around that (maybe used). Otherwise, keep the Marantz, and maybe change speakers to Dali Zensor 3. Just my two cents.

 

[radiorog]

NAD 326bee

Top amp for the money.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

I'd be looking for something second hand if you want a measurable upgrade for £350.I think you'd maybe a bit disappointed comming from the mcr to what is entry level separates. Don't get me wrong, there will be an improvement, just not 350 quids worth imho. Arcam's a85 goes for that kind of money and that was a 800 quid amp in it's day and still holds it's own today. That would be more in line with your pioneer n50 at Also plenty of other good reliable amps on the second hand market for said budget and that's where my money would go. If not abused they can last for years. Just do you're research. You also tend to find people that are selling the likes of Arcam, creek, rotel, naim and other audiophile grade equipment tend to look after their gear.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_958462317541899]

thanks everybody for. that advice i have been doing some research, and think ive had rethink, about my budget, ive found two products that might fit the bill, cambridge audio cxa60amp and the cxn network player, cost is around 1000quid for both, any thoughts would be great ,looking to get something thats going to last me a long number of years use

 

[davedotco]

thanks everybody for. that advice i have been doing some research, and think ive had rethink, about my budget, ive found two products that might fit the bill, cambridge audio cxa60amp and the cxn network player, cost is around 1000quid for both, any thoughts would be great ,looking to get something thats going to last me a long number of years use

In many respects this setup is poor value, nothing wrong with each component, but you have, and are paying for, two separate dacs, two pre-amp sections along with all the in/output socketry and switching.

A more practical setup would involve the CXN driving straight into a power amp, though sadly there is no such model in the CX range. Plenty of power amps would work, Cambridges own 651w for example, way more capable (as a power amp) than the CXA60.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_958462317541899]

cheers davedotco, so would i just need an amp without all the bells and whistles , could you suggest any other amps that i could have a look at

 

[davedotco]

cheers davedotco, so would i just need an amp without all the bells and whistles , could you suggest any other amps that i could have a look at

I like to keep things simple and object to wasting money. Having to pay for two dacs, two pre-amps etc, when you will only use one offends me.

If you do not need analogue inputs the CXN is a full function streamer and digital pre-amp in one package, it has a choice of balanced and unbalanced outputs and will drive just about any power amplifier on the market.

To be honest I would be tempted to get something really good, whatever you fancy really, maybe one of Boggits (IP speakers) new Hypex amps for example, or if you can find one a used Cambridge 851w.