Integrated amp advice
July 16, 2007
I'm replacing a second system as, after 15 years, nothing
works (completely) other than my speakers. I'm intending to use a media server as the
primary (and likely only) source component to an external DAC to an integrated amp. I have
a pair of DCM TF-600 speakers that I greatly enjoy and have no desire to replace (although
I am considering adding a subwoofer). I listen mostly to hard rock/metal. I've been
reading about a number of integrated amps online and (to get to the point) I was looking
for advice as to which, a tube or solid-state or hybrid amp, would make the most sense
musically. Similarly, do I need to be particularly concerned about power?
Jeff
Considering your choice in music, and the likely volume
levels you’ll at least occasionally listen at, I’d go for a solid-state
integrated amp of at least 100Wpc. I’m not sure what your budget is, but there are a
number of companies that make units that fill that bill at various price points. The point
is to buy something that has some extra headroom (power) for when you need it and
something that you won’t likely overdrive, which would lead to reliability issues.
One other option is to look for a simple preamp and couple it with an external power
amplifier. Standalone amps can offer advantages in terms of a beefier power supply and
overall ruggedness of construction. If you decide to go this route, do not hesitate to
look at professional products, which offer great bang for the buck and usually don’t
break.
Magnepans and subwoofer hookup
July 12, 2007
I've decided to take advantage of Magnepan's in-home trial
offer for their MMG-W speakers. These will require a subwoofer, which I've never used in
my system, and I'm a little unclear about the various hookup options. I'll be using a
two-channel integrated amplifier that does not have a subwoofer output, but does have
pre-outs/main-ins. From my research, I get the sense that the ideal setup would have the
pre-outs connected to the low-level inputs on the sub, and low-level outputs on the sub
connected to the main-ins on the amp. As I understand it, this would actually take some
strain off of my amp, as the sub would filter out the low-frequency information from the
signal before passing it back to the amp. Is that correct?
Some of the subs I've been looking at don't have low-level
outputs. In that case, I think I could use Y-adapters from the pre-outs to feed both the
sub and the power amp section of the integrated amp. Does that compromise performance in
any way, other than losing the advantage of the amp not having to process low-frequency
information as in the first hookup example? Finally, all of the subs have high-level
speaker outputs. If these are used, are the speakers being powered by my integrated amp,
or the amp in the subwoofer?
Peter
The problem with your first suggested hookup method is
that if you insert the subwoofer between the pre-outs and main-in, you’ll lose the
ability to control volume in your system. The preamp functions would basically be
separated from the amplifier, so your main speakers would run at the discretion of the
subwoofer’s line out -- not a good thing. If you don’t have a second set of
pre-outs on your integrated then the Y-adapter idea is the best one. That way the preamp
functions would control both, and you could fine-tune the level by adjusting the
subwoofer’s level control. Speaker-level connections would work too. You’d still
be using the subwoofer amplifier, but this is how the system is designed to work. I’d
suggest you go with the pre-out option, though, as it will give you more setup flexibility
with the subwoofer itself.
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