Setup a bit of a hash - advise needed for amp

[admin_exported]

Evening All

Need advise on my first amp. Currently using a denon dm37 which im bored with and need to change as the headphone jack is too noisy with headphones.

I get my music via itunes from my computer to a arcam r dac as well as via ipod through a portable in

I will be using it mainly with a pair of grado 325i and a pair of Kef IQ1.

Not really sure where to start with the amp, seen a lot of where they come with built in dacs (cyrus) so wondering whether to sell the rdac and get a unit that has one built in.

Any ideas or recommendations taking what i have already got into account? Guess im just after a pleasing all rounder that will be good for headphone use and with a portable in.

Cheers.

 

[ID.]

Could you audition one of these?

http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,fmj,Integrated-Amplifiers,A19.htm

"The A19 features a headphone stage, which Arcam claims to be the equivalent to a £150 standalone headphone amp"

http://www.whathifi.com/news/exclusive-arcam-unveils-feature-packed-a19-amplifier-and-rblink-bluetooth-receiver

And you can use it to power your rDac, so you have fewer cables tangling things up.

 

[Anonymous]

My Experience with Denon amps are that they sound abit digital, hard flat and boring, exception the PMO 1500.

I think you will get a warmer sound with pretty much any british amp and more dynamic.

For Japanese, try and listen to Marantz or the new Pioneer A series. Model depending on the budget.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the suggestions 🙂 Any reviews on the arcam a19 yet? Will probably head down to swansea with my headphones to give one a try. Any other suggestions around that price?

 

[Anonymous]

Always quite liked the sound i got out the denon. But that was with enhancements. Oh well, guess i will have to audition first.

 

[Blackdawn]

My Experience with Denon amps are that they sound abit digital, hard flat and boring, exception the PMO 1500.

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Another of Denons all time greats is the PMA 250SE, a great budget amplifier that is very musical and natural.

Good to see you have some A26 speakers - I also love the pair I own as well. Incidentally they paired very well with my Denon PMA 250SE!