Power amp match w. Arcam A85

[Soul-Man]

Hi

I have the Arcam diva A85 running my Dali Ikon 6.

Considering adding a power amp to the set up. As the Ikons are an "open" rather "bright" speaker, I'm looking for a warm sounding power amp, maybe go bi-amped.

Any tips, you guys?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Clickety

(And yes, biamp)

 

[Big Chris]

Definitely Bi-amp.

Of course, you could always buy two P85s and just use your A85 as a pre-amp.

 

[eggontoast]

Of course, you could always buy two P85s and just use your A85 as a pre-amp.

Not sure I can see the point in that.

The P85 is just a partially loaded A85, its exactly the same power amp.

 

[Big Chris]

But isolating the pre from the power is supposed to bring gains in quality.

Whether the gains are worth the extra outlay though, I couldn't say, as I've never done it. If I bought an extra P85, I'd probably be looking at tri-wirable speakers to use all the power amp available to me.

 

[eggontoast]

Maybe so if they are dedicated pre and power combinations gains can certainly be had.

Simply not using the power amp in your integrated amp and using exactly the same power amp in a different box, nah, no gain to be had.

 

[Anonymous]

I would think that using the integrated amp as a pre amp would make some difference. With the power supply not having to supply the power amp part of the integrated amp, the pre amp part would receive a "cleaner" supply. Isn't this the idea behind pre/power combos?

 

[eggontoast]

Yes that is the idea behind seperate pre and power amps and it can work well as it is designed from the ground up.

Not using the power amp in your intergrated amp will not make the power supplies to the preamp any cleaner. The power supplies for the preamp are well regulated at a much lower voltage and are far removed from any fluctuations from the power amp. Hoping to get any audible improvment from this is fiction at best.

 

[Soul-Man]

Thanks! The P85 from Ebay looks good. I live in Denmark, however. Just discovered a Delta P290 from a local seller. Around 80 british pounds. How you reckon this would match the A85?

(Must say so far the Arcam really struggles to improve on my vintage Pioneer A88-x, but hopefully a bi-amped solution will let it shine)

 

[Andrew Everard]

The Delta 290P would be a possible, but it'll be pretty elderly by now - would that worry you?

Not sure how the gain on this one would match up with the integrated you have - the point of mentioning the P85 was that it is gain-matched with the A85

 

[Soul-Man]

I written Arcam support an email, asking if the Delta 290 would match in terms of gain etc.

Arcam claim to be matching gain between all current models, and since the Divas... but it would be nice to know if this thing goes back to older models.

 

[Soul-Man]

I written Arcam support an email, asking if the Delta 290 would match in terms of gain etc.

Arcam claim to be matching gain between all current models, and since the Divas... but it would be nice to know if this thing goes back to older models.

 

[Big Chris]

Don't short change your system. Get a P85, I promise you you'll be left smiling. 🙂

 

[Soul-Man]

Patience or not :roll:

Bidding on a P85 (or FMJ P25) failed due to sellers not wanting to ship internationally or prize levels...

But this would work: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcam-A85-Amplifier-/170989727223?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item27cfc82df7

I mean:switch on the back allows me to bypass the preamp and control section of the A85 making it work like a P85. The volumebutton doesn't work on this one... But as I see it, it's completely irrelevant when I intend to use this a the power amp, driving either LF or HF.

What u think?

 

[Soul-Man]

Patience or not :roll:

Bidding on a P85 (or FMJ P25) failed due to sellers not wanting to ship internationally or prize levels...

But this would work

I mean:switch on the back allows me to bypass the preamp and control section of the A85 making it work like a P85. The volumebutton doesn't work on this one... But as I see it, it's completely irrelevant when I intend to use this a the power amp, driving either LF or HF.

What u think?

 

[Big Chris]

If you use the A85 as a P85 what are you gonna be using as a pre-amp?

 

[Soul-Man]

Big C: was thinking bi amp: The perfect working A85 driving HF, the one linked to above in power mode driving LF.

 

[Big Chris]

Aaah... Sorry.... Didn;t realise you meant getting another A85 and using that as a P85.

Yeah, why not, as long as it's only the pre-amp section that's faulty.

EDIT: That one looks a bit ratty for £150. It's obviously been abused and I'd be worried about the longevity of such an item.

I still think you should remain patient and hold out for a P85 in good condition.