Roksan Caspian power amplifier with Pioneer LX53

[Sabretooth]

I was wondering will adding a power amplifier be a significant improvement to the stereo sound of my AV-setup? Or will a integrated amplifier be of more use? I will be mainly streaming music from my NAS via my Ipad.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

Can you discribe the stereo sound you get from your LX53?

What is it lacking, and what do, you hope to gain?

Modern recievers especially in that price bracket wll more than match any dedicated stereo amp.

 

[Sabretooth]

IMO the stereo sound is not coming from the places that is should be, it sounds disoriented i am lacking a clean, overall stereo image. I hope to gain a more powerfull, complete sound am i making sense? I wondered if the Caspian ( or any other power amp) will do the trick It would a cheaper solution than to buy a new set of front speakers, which are not te very best avaible, I know

 

[michael hoy]

What mode are you using on the 53.

Stereo or a dsp mode

if Stereo is it:

Stereo - direct

Stetereo - pure direct

 

[Sabretooth]

when I listen to music, in stereo, I put in stereo mode --> F.S. Surround focus

I find this the best option to listen to

but still something is lacking

 

[michael hoy]

when I listen to music, in stereo, I put in stereo mode --> F.S. Surround focus

I find this the best option to listen to

but still something is lacking

Why not use the stereo setting, the FS - Surround mode is not the best option.

I have smaller speakers than you have and using stereo direct works perfectly well, if I did not need the sub I would use pure direct.

 

[GSB]

Fwiw iv'e just added an integrated stereo amp and this difference in stereo is very noticable,bass is alot more controled and the imaging is very impressive...then there is the increased power.... :O

 

[Sabretooth]

thanks for the replies guys

@Michael - I will try some different settings, but I think I have had them all

@ GSB - though you have a top of the line AV Amp you noticed a reasonable difference when you added the MF amp ?

 

[GSB]

I noticed and enjoy a massive difference in 2channel playback....no difference when used for avr duties tho

 

[CnoEvil]

I believe an integrated amp (preferably with HT By-pass) is better for improved 2 channel, as it is likely to have a higher quality pre-amp than the AVR......and the pre makes quite a difference imo.

 

[Sabretooth]

Been looking at integrated amps too. I believe the more "high end" amps have a bypass. Any suggestions CNO ?

 

[CnoEvil]

Been looking at integrated amps too. I believe the more "high end" amps have a bypass. Any suggestions CNO ?

I would recommend you listen to the MF M3i (assuming a budget of around £1k).

GSB has been through the same process, and gave his view here: http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/my-new-mf-m3i

 

[Sabretooth]

I read his view on the MF

makes me want to have one

but I am also very curious about Naim, Cyrus and Roksan

 

[CnoEvil]

I read his view on the MF

makes me want to have one

but I am also very curious about Naim, Cyrus and Roksan

So you should be.......we can only make recommendations, whereas you will have to make the decision (and then live with it).

 

[Sabretooth]

Hi Michael

i have changed the stereo setting to pure direct

a significant improvement, thanks.

but I will still be upgrading with an integrated amp, someday

 

[michael hoy]

Hi Michael

i have changed the stereo setting to pure direct

a significant improvement, thanks.

but I will still be upgrading with an integrated amp, someday

You are probably right to think of a dedicated stereo amp, but just thought by getting the best out of the avr would help you decide.

Good luck on your choice in the future.

 

[Ben K.]

Another happy customer here since adding my A38 to the system :dance:

Massive improvement in stereo playback. Cinema remains the same.

 

[Sabretooth]

another beautiful amp! keep the suggestions coming

Ben how do the MA speakers sound in combination with your Arcam (retorical question)

 

[Ben K.]

Also regarding the original post, I first added a rotel power amp to my av receiver to try and improve stereo playback. It did improve things but not by much and certainly not worth the expense. If you do decide to add something add an integrated with av bypass or similar and then just use hifi when listening to music.

 

[GSB]

So what does the pre do(i know it control's the volume)to make such a diference...? :?

 

[Sabretooth]

I have read the manual of the A38 online.

What I read was that if you use it in HT mode the amp then acts as a power amp (correct me if I am wrong)

If this is true what would be the advantage of using an integrated amp?

or would the pre-part still be used

 

[Ben K.]

Yes it does act as a power amp when in ht mode hence that there is no improvement when using cinema. When you want to listen to stereo you will not have it in bypass mode. Your source will be directly connected to the integrated and so it will now be a stand alone system as your av receiver can remain turned off.

Gsb I believe that a pre handles volume and inputs. I guess that the pre in your MF amp out performs the many pres in your av amp and that is why you prefer the sound. I'm no expert I'm afraid I only know that I prefer the sound of a dedicated stereo amp to my av amp (even my old a75 IMO sounds better than my rxv2065 for stereo).

 

[GSB]

Cheers Ben

 

[Sabretooth]

thanks for the explanation Ben

things become more and more clear to me