Quality amp for Wharfedale 220s?

[Fred Brown]

I need an amplifier for my new Wharfedale Diamond 220s. I will be using the speakers on my desk at near field, hooked up only to my laptop, and in a small room at relatively low volume. I listen to mostly rock music. I prefer a warm sound. However, I live in a small apartment with thin walls, so I don’t want booming base; hence, I don’t necessarily need an amp with a subwoofer jack. Could anyone please recommend a good amplifier?


I am considering a Yamaha A-S301, Cambridge CXA-60, Denon PMA-600NE, or Emotiva BassX A-100 or BassX Mini, but am totally open to any other recommendations in a somewhat similar price range. As I am an ex-patriot living on a small island in Taiwan, I will be totally unable to listen to anything before I buy. I will most likely have to buy online from a shop in the United States, have the product shipped to MyUS for forwarding to Taiwan, and then pay Taiwan taxes and customs fee, in addition to the substantial overseas shipping charge. It will not be financially worthwhile to attempt to reverse this entire process if I am unhappy with the purchase.


Yes, living abroad is interesting, but for even a budding audiophile, it is a huge added expense and hassle. Still, I am getting old, and I would like to have at least one decent sound system with which to rock out until closing time. And so I ask for any kind advice from those in the know. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tessie]

Good speaker choice for that price range.
Denon PMA-600NE or the Marantz PM6007 would be good match for those speakers and since your a bit older you would like the sound.
There are alot of sales to watch, like i can buy the better Denon PMA-900HNE for 500€ in my country now. Also the Yamaha A-S701 is on sale for 600€.

I think my choice would be the Denon PMA-900HNE if you can buy it on sale.

 

[Fred Brown]

Thank you, Tessie. I will investigate the Marantz PM 6007 as a choice. The thing is, the 220s are said to have a relatively slow bass response and so are not ideal for rock. I read that, therefore, I should look for an amp that is fairly dynamic. So I guess I'm looking for an amp that is both warm (because I like a warm sound) and dynamic (because my 220s are slow in bass and I like rock), if that makes sense. I'm just not certain which amp that might be.

 

[Revolutions]

I think you’ll be fine. Don’t worry too much about people’s opinions about speakers like what it does/doesn’t work with. The proof is in the hearing - I presume you’re not in a position to audition beforehand so probably a bit tricky.

The Marantz & wharfedale pairing is pretty popular & will give you great value for money. Certainly a perfect amp to start with, too.

 

[Tessie]

The Marantz PM6007 can even drive bigger speakers on normal volume. Try to read some reviews on the internet and also listen to some youtube reviews before you buy anything.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eQvCHKnpRk&t=148s

 

[Fred Brown]

Thank you both, Revolutions and Tessie. I will continue to do research. Right now, the best deal for me appears to be the Denon PMA 600-NE, as I can get it with free shipping from Amazon. It is 45 watts at 8 ohms. I only wonder if that would be enough to power my Wharfedale 220s at low volume in near field to their maximum potential?

 

[Al ears]

Thank you both, Revolutions and Tessie. I will continue to do research. Right now, the best deal for me appears to be the Denon PMA 600-NE, as I can get it with free shipping from Amazon. It is 45 watts at 8 ohms. I only wonder if that would be enough to power my Wharfedale 220s at low volume in near field to their maximum potential?

It should be....

 

[Fred Brown]

Right, thank you, Al ears. As I'm doing research, there is one more amplifier that I'm particularly interested in at the moment, which is the Emotiva BassX A2 or A2 mini. I wonder if anyone has any knowledge on these, especially as compared to the Denon PMA 600NE. Cheapmanaudio did a comparison of the Denon vs the now discontinued Emotiva BassX TA-100, and favored the Emotiva as a superior product and sound.

 

[Tessie]

Right, thank you, Al ears. As I'm doing research, there is one more amplifier that I'm particularly interested in at the moment, which is the Emotiva BassX A2 or A2 mini. I wonder if anyone has any knowledge on these, especially as compared to the Denon PMA 600NE. Cheapmanaudio did a comparison of the Denon vs the now discontinued Emotiva BassX A-100, and favored the Emotiva as a superior product and sound.

The BasXA2 costs 800€ in my country. In that price range you have more options. It is better to buy and look for amplifiers with a fixed budget.

Cambridge Audio CXA61 850€
Emotiva BasX A2 800€
Rotel A11 MKII 800€
Advance Acoustics x-i75 750€
Denon PMA-900HNE 500€
Marantz PM6007 400€
Denon PMA 600NE 400€
Emotiva BasX A2m 300€

 

[Fred Brown]

Yes, Mini, I should have said Emotiva BassX A2 mini, not the A2, as the A2 would be overkill for my limited needs. The A2 mini should power my Whardedale 220s just fine though I would think. It looks to have a clearer sound, and be considerably cheaper than the Denon PMA 600NE as well, I suppose because it must have fewer features that I will probably never need. The Denon must have the warmer sound though. Still I am interested in more opinions on both.

 

[Tessie]

I would buy one of these 3 because they have tone controls and i am sure you will use it depending on what genre of music you are playing. The Emotiva does not have those controls.

Denon PMA-900HNE 500€
Marantz PM6007 400€
Denon PMA 600NE 400€