what is the best amp at low volumn?

[admin_exported]

Hi there

I am currently looking to invest in an amp, but i know nothing about amps. I would like to buy the best i can, up to £350, but it has to excellent quality at the lowest volumn. I have heard the Cambridge Audio Azur 650A, and it sounds amazing at the lowest value. At it's lowest volumn was bearly noticable, but you could still hear all of the song, drums, vocals, guitar etc (apologies I don't know the correct terms). Can anyone recommend a better amp? I appreciate that speakers, what type of input you have etc will effect the quality, but the man in the shop said that cambridge audio Azur 650A is the best at low volumn.

Thanks in advance

 

[chebby]

Presumably the man at the shop knew the sensitivity/efficiency of the speakers you intend to use?

Performance at low volume may depend on this. A low efficiency (harder to drive) pair of speakers will mean your volume control will be turned up much more to get the same sound level. A very efficient speaker pair (easy to drive) will mean the volume setting on the amp will only need to be turned up a little.

At t'other end (source input) a lot depends on the signal level. Some CD players offer 0.6V (or thereabouts) and some as much as 2.0V.

Some integrated amps have passive pre-amplifier (input) stages and some boost lower signals. A lot of factors.

Try and get to hear a couple of systems demonstrated (at low volume) at your dealer.

 

[Anonymous]

Firstly, thank you for responding, and secondly for the explanation 🙂

I actually visited a Richersounds store. The guy was very helpful and knowledgable. However, I have been told that Cambridge Audio is Richersounds own brand, hence why the was pushing the Azur 650A over a similar priced NAD, which has left me indecisive, or perhaps that's just because i'm female (?)

The speakers, and I can't remember exactly, but were floor standing speakers (my personal requirement) and i think the Mordaunt. He said they would be adequate over the more expensive KEF.

The amp - I have been reading reviews that the Rotel 04 is a great amp, and the NAD C326BEE is a best buy, and not the Azur 650A. I am even more confused than before. I am happy to pay upto the £350 asking price for the Azur 650A if it's the best out of the bunch.

Can you recommend any speakers, and amp combination - efficent speakers and great amp.

Also, do you know of any stores where I can compare the above makes with speakers? I am in sunny London.

Thanks again - your input is warmly welcomed 🙂

 

[Gusboll]

My advice - try a Sevenoaks store. See their website for London options and give them a ring.

Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound - Ekranoplan

 

[the record spot]

The new Onkyo A-5VL amp at £350 would be a good one to shortlist. Separate power supply to each channel, built in Burr-Brown (PCM1796) 192 kHz/24-Bit D/A converters, separate power-amp option, 80wpc...seriously worth a look. Onkyo's product range in AV this last few years is well respected, so this one promises a lot.

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/A-5VL.html

 

[Anonymous]

Probably the best amp for low volume listening will be.... a subwoofer. That is a bass which is usually not enough at low volume because of nature of human hearing.

 

[Anonymous]

am not an expert, but perhaps some good 2nd hand classic gear off ebay?

Pioneer A400 amp (can be bought for as little as £70)

Marantz CD63 MKII K1 signature cd player (approx £130)

Celestion Ditton 44 speakers (£150-£180) or Mission 753 speakers (£180)

Silver High Breed interconnects (new price approx £30)

Silver high breed speaker cable (£40) ... or 2nd hand van den hul speaker cable for the same price

total: less than £450 and you will have a good system (in my opinion)

,

 

[idc]

chebby:

At t'other end (source input) a lot depends on the signal level. Some CD players offer 0.6V (or thereabouts) and some as much as 2.0V.

It is worth checking this out as attenuators to match the CD voltage with the amps should give you a more usable range with the volume control. Clicky for a link to see how attenuation works and a small guide to what you need to look for with regards to CDP and amp specification and the attenuation needed. You can then find cheap attenuators on ebay from the likes of Rothwell. If your budget stretches to it, Russ Andrews do specific attenuated cables which they will make up for you depending on your CDP/amp. I used such cables to great effect.

If volume is a major consideration, would you consider a headphone based setup? Then there is no issue about disturbing the neighbours, flat mates etc. A good headphone setup brings you closer to the music than any other type of hifi IMHO.

 

[link]

just demo cambridge and nad and pick what suits your taste the most.

 

[Anonymous]

link:just demo cambridge and nad and pick what suits your taste the most.

What he said.

 

[plastic penguin]

amberamp:

Hi there

I am currently looking to invest in an amp, but i know nothing about amps. I would like to buy the best i can, up to £350, but it has to excellent quality at the lowest volumn. I have heard the Cambridge Audio Azur 650A, and it sounds amazing at the lowest value. At it's lowest volumn was bearly noticable, but you could still hear all of the song, drums, vocals, guitar etc (apologies I don't know the correct terms). Can anyone recommend a better amp? I appreciate that speakers, what type of input you have etc will effect the quality, but the man in the shop said that cambridge audio Azur 650A is the best at low volumn.

Thanks in advance

Arcam A65 Plus is brilliant at idle levels. As Chebby said no amp, however good, will sound that great if it's under powered and struggles with hard speaker sensitivity.

The Roksan Kandy sounds impressive at low volumes as well.

 

[Anonymous]

I have the CA 650A, it is wonderful at low levels, thanks in some part to the volume control "A completely new high specification Alps volume pot control ensures perfect channel balance at low levels". Just tweak the Bass control to about 3 o'clock, as ediots said, to compensate for human hearing.