Help to choose a new integrateded amplifier before Black Friday.

[Tessie]

Hello. Can someone help me to decide to choose a good amplifier before Black Friday?

I listen mostly to EDM, hiphop, top50 and sometime's some oldies. I do not need a streamer because i use the amp for a PC desktop use with USB connection. (PC is my streamer)
So i only need this: USB and Toslink SPDIF connection - Subwoofer connection - 80W or 100W @8ohm is enough - not a big case - budget is max 2500€

These 3 are in my list:

• Arcam Radia A25 class G 1800€
• Audiolab 9000A class A/B 1800€
• Marantz Model M1 Digital 1000€

Does the Marantz Model M1 sounds good for 1000€ or do the other 2 amp's sound much better?
For now i am using SVS SB-1000PRO and a pair of Diamonds 12.2 speakers. Next upgrade is the speakers.

 

[Jasonovich]

You need Amp, then you need speakers and you use your PC.

One sec, quick calculation

...................................da........................ad.......................da....................Ah,

You should consider top notch active speakers. I have such a setup in my study.
Sounds beautiful. If this is something you might consider, there are a lot of quality brands that will serve your needs. See list below.

• Elac active speakers
• Triangle active speakers
• Adam
• Hedd
• Yamaha
• Eve

 

[daytona600]

Can someone help me to decide to choose a good amplifier before Black Friday

No good amps will be in black friday sales only amps they have trouble sellling

 

[Jasonovich]

@daytona600 There's a lot of clearance stuff over at Peter Tyson if you wish to check out.

https://petertyson.co.uk/clearance/all-clearance/hi-fi?category_ids=3516

 

[Al ears]

Can someone help me to decide to choose a good amplifier before Black Friday

No good amps will be in black friday sales only amps they have trouble sellling

Correct.

 

[Al ears]

View attachment 7792

@daytona600 There's a lot of clearance stuff over at Peter Tyson if you wish to check out.

https://petertyson.co.uk/clearance/all-clearance/hi-fi?category_ids=3516

View attachment 7791

They always have clearance sales, this has nothing to do with Black Friday

 

[Jasonovich]

They always have clearance sales, this has nothing to do with Black Friday

Can someone help me to decide to choose a good amplifier before Black Friday

No good amps will be in black Friday sales only amps they have trouble selling

Yes that may be so, I was just picking up on the vibe, and I agree with Daytona, on Good Friday, vendors are often seen trying to get rid of stuff they're having difficulty selling, hence my reference to the Clearance.

I'm actually doing the same, not amp, looking for a good 65' OLED TV bargain prior to Good Friday.

Yes it's all over the place Richer Sounds also have similar clearance.

 

[nopiano]

I think it might be worth thinking about what speakers you might choose. Fortunately, I’ve never needed Hifi on a desktop but it must surely limit your choice massively?

KEF LXT II have the requisite USB and Toslink inputs, and no extra amplifier is necessary. In any case the first two amps you mention are surely far too cumbersome for a desk. There’s a cheaper LT model with reduced flexibility which might suffice.

KEF LSX II review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023 winner. A fantastic, multi-talented streaming system perfect for smaller rooms

www.whathifi.com

 

[Tessie]

I want an integrated amplifier because i want the amp, DAC and speakers seperated for future upgrading.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hello. Can someone help me to decide to choose a good amplifier before Black Friday?

I listen mostly to EDM, hiphop, top50 and sometime's some oldies. I do not need a streamer because i use the amp for a PC desktop use with USB connection. (PC is my streamer)
So i only need this: USB and Toslink SPDIF connection - Subwoofer connection - 80W or 100W @8ohm is enough - not a big case - budget is max 2500€

These 3 are in my list:

• Arcam Radia A25 class G 1800€
• Audiolab 9000A class A/B 1800€
• Marantz Model M1 Digital 1000€

Does the Marantz Model M1 sounds good for 1000€ or do the other 2 amp's sound much better?
For now i am using SVS SB-1000PRO and a pair of Diamonds 12.2 speakers. Next upgrade is the speakers.

The Audiolab is the only amp on your list I have heard, and it is excellent. I would be surprised if any of these manufacturers are going to make a poor sounding amp, it just boils down to which one has the features you want and the sound you prefer.

As for Black Friday, the only decent amp that is going to be discounted is a discontinued model, or one that isn't selling well, and they will both still be discounted in future.

 

[nopiano]

I want an integrated amplifier because i want the amp, DAC and speakers seperated for future upgrading.

I hear you, but the KEF are a complete solution for half the budget you have stated just for an amp. You could give them away in five years and upgrade then with all the money you saved!

What speakers have you heard on a desktop that sound better than your Diamonds?

 

[Tessie]

I hear you, but the KEF are a complete solution for half the budget you have stated just for an amp. You could give them away in five years and upgrade then with all the money you saved!

What speakers have you heard on a desktop that sound better than your Diamonds?

My friend have the sonus faber lumina ii which i liked when i heard them.

 

[Tessie]

I allready found some good Marantz deals today. To bad it was not the Model M1 or the A25 on sale

 

[nopiano]

My friend have the sonus faber lumina ii which i liked when i heard them.

Then add them to your list! They aren’t huge and they’re pretty too.

A forty watt amp should be plenty if you’re within a metre of the speakers. This little Mission would be worth a close look, if you can buy it in your location. As you can see it’s half width and has the necessary inputs. No specific sub out but your SVS and typical rivals can connect to pre out or speaker level outputs.

Mission 778X review

Rewind and reload for the 778 amp

www.whathifi.com

 

[Tessie]

Then add them to your list! They aren’t huge and they’re pretty too.

A forty watt amp should be plenty if you’re within a metre of the speakers. This little Mission would be worth a close look, if you can buy it in your location. As you can see it’s half width and has the necessary inputs. No specific sub out but your SVS and typical rivals can connect to pre out or speaker level outputs.

Mission 778X review

Rewind and reload for the 778 amp

www.whathifi.com

Yeah those speaker dimensions are the max i want on my desk. (same as my wharfedale's)
(HxWxD)
304 x 180 x 263 mm / each
12 x 7.1 x 10.3 in / each

 

[Noddy]

I want an integrated amplifier because i want the amp, DAC and speakers seperated for future upgrading.

You really should check out the Kef LSX II, simply to rule them out if nothing else.

Why would you buy with a view to upgrading in the future? Generally amps all sound the same, unless voiced by the maker, so you buy on watts and features. I think these days people tend to stream so an amp and speakers are all they need, or active speakers. Speakers make the biggest difference by far. You have to listen to them yourself. It’s all a minefield IMO. Some speakers are Veblen goods, and hugely overpriced. Some are very good.

 

[nopiano]

I allready found some good Marantz deals today. To bad it was not the Model M1 or the A25 on sale

View attachment 7794
View attachment 7795

The 40n is a decent amp+streamer, but it’s full sized Hifi, not a desktop item, or do you have a Putin-sized desk?

 

[njprrogers]

I have my LS50's setup with my Audiolab for desktop use. The volume never goes beyond a quarter to. Totally different equation to living room use for example.
Just to reiterate what has already been said, at reasonable volumes from a metre away you don't need a power house amp. Truth be told you may not be able to tell the difference between the amps at reasonable listening levels that close to those Wharfedales.

 

[FutureAudiophile.com]

I am compelled by this T+A integrated amp but there is one that even more of an all-in-one solution that has a CD/SACD transport built right into it.

I saw the later this weekend in Maryland at Capital Audiofest and it, again, was impressive.

 

[Will1962]

Surprised no-one has mentioned the bluesound powernode great little amp streamer ideal for a desk top solution and a good price.