Nad D3020/Wadia 151 with Guru Junior/Amphion 510? Desktop Setup

[jackspade87]

Hello everyone.

I am looking to get a new desktop setup.
I am thinking of getting either the Guru Juniors or Amphion Helium 510s. Both of these seem to be happy placed close to a wall and are generally musical.

But i am confused about the amp. Since this is a small desktop setup so i want to go with a small amp with an onboard dac. Hence i have shortlisted the new NAD D3020 or Wadia 151(used/demo)?

I dont really have an option to audition the amps hence i need help from you all. I want to know which amp will pair better with which speaker.
And secondly, Both speakers are rated at around 86db will these amps be able to drive them to mid to high volumes?

If you guys have any other suggestions for a desktop setup please let me know, my budget is around $1500 for the whole thing.

Thanks 🙂

 

[DocG]

Hi Jack,

I think both amplifiers can control both speakers very well. If you cannot demo the amps, do try to at least demo the speakers, as they might have a very different presentation. I haven't heard them, but I did demo the Guru's bigger brother, the 10Two, and that one sounds marvelous (to my ears).

I don't think the 86 dB spec is a problem. It' a desktop set-up, so you are close to the speakers when listening. Both amps have a dynamic power rating of >100 W, so they should be able to produce peaks around 105 dB (at 1 metre, but I guess you won't be much further from your speakers when listening), that is permanent-ear-damage volume!

Keep us posted on your findings! :cheers:

 

[jackspade87]

Thanks a lot for your reply. I will shortly demo the two speakers and hopefully finalise one.

Regarding the two amps, any idea which is a better amp between the two? Wadia 151 or Nad D3020?

I know its subjective but what are the major differences in characterstics?

If there are any other desktop systems for under $1500 worth looking, please let me know ill check them out.

 

[ID.]

NuForce has a number of products, but I'm not sure how they compare to the NAD and Wadia

This may have less power than you were considering

https://www.nuforce.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=8&Itemid=191/index.php

There's also this

https://www.nuforce.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=306:dda-100&Itemid=962

Or, if you were prepared to consider active speakers you could use the NuForce Icon HDP as a preamp for the speakers of your choice.

I believe Amphion even suggest using the Icon HDP with their active speakers

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/amphion3/1.html

I use the Icon HDP as a headphone amp and as a preamp for a pair of active speakers and I'm very satisfied.

 

[DocG]

Thanks a lot for your reply. I will shortly demo the two speakers and hopefully finalise one.

Regarding the two amps, any idea which is a better amp between the two? Wadia 151 or Nad D3020?

I know its subjective but what are the major differences in characterstics?

If there are any other desktop systems for under $1500 worth looking, please let me know ill check them out

As I said, I haven't heard any of the two.. I would hope the Wadia is better, at 2.5 times the price...

No further suggestions, sorry, not my thing. I hope some more experienced/knowledgeable forumites pop in for some sensible tips! (Come on, guys!)

EDIT: I see ID has already come in while I was typing. :cheers:

 

[jackspade87]

Hi to everyone!

I am sorry for the delay. went on a long audition spree.

Along with bookshelf(s) ended up auditioning a lot of floorstanders as well.

Among the book shelfs two stood out the Golden Ear Aon 3 and the Amphion 410.

Golden ear is coherent, clean and detailled and goes very low!!. Amphion is amazingly musical and images like crazy.

My ears prefered the Amphion but only slightly.

Amongst the floorstanders two stood out. PMC Twenty.23 and the Amphion Helium 520.

PMC's are very clear and balanced, they lay open therecording bare in front of you.

They have that distinctive transmission line tight bass. Its a speaker that one can listen to for hours.

Amphion Helium 520. Hand made in Finland. Amazing build.

The imaging is to die for, open and musical sound. They do good with the poor recordings as well.

Do not go down as low as the PMC but the bass has more wait and air as it is "NOT" transmission line.

Now my confusion is between the PMC Twenty.23 or Amphion Helium 520 Floorstanders.

I want your help and opinion on them whoever has any experience with either.