Left Channel on home stereo amp' died. So many amp type choices... looking for amp' advice... type 'A'? 'A+B'? other?

[Deactivated] on 28/10/2019 - 16:53

Dang' I'm having a hell of a time working out what I need. My type 'A' amp blew the left speaker channel recently. Happy enough with the medium/large desk speakers and SW I have so wishing I knew better what exactly to do given the current amount of amp' type options there are these days, I'm way out of touch and on the wrong side of 50. As I said before I am a 'wannabe' audiophile on a 2 star budget. Sure would appreciate any advice on the matter… Getting another (even if used) 'A' type amp might fit the bill, but I've since learned they tend to consume a lot of power not to mention an older one may well already have existing issues undisclosed by a lesser ethical seller. I only 'turn it up' once or twice a month for a few hours of a Friday or Saturday night but I very much enjoy doing so.

Also I believe many/most will say the type 'A' amps produce the best sound? Gahhhh! so lost on this and really starting to get withdrawal symptoms while in stereo limbo! The current 'stereo down' issue has presented me with an opportunity to improve my system so again, any advice will be greatly appreciated. I really want to sit back with the new setup and be able to say… oh yah… this is WAY better! Don't hold it against me please but the 'source' is from my iTunes library via my ageing iMac. Current speakers sit on either side of my somewhat large desk with the SW under the table. (I do not wish to alter the source (iMac/iTunes) or location of the speakers as am quite happy with this aspect).

Hoping to spend as little as $200 but up to $400. (A terrible limitation for one who loves music I know). Am I kidding myself? Do I need to lower my 'audiophile wannabe' expectations so much?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Franckel on 28/10/2019 - 18:05

    How was your old amp connected to your iMac?

    • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2019 - 18:39

      Via headphone jack direct to amp…

      • Franckel on 28/10/2019 - 19:47

        You have a myriad of options here. One solution that I think fits your use case very well is the SMSL AD18. Very feature packed bit of kit that does everything you want, and according to most reviews does it rather well. You would connect it to your iMac via USB cable, it would handle digital to analogue conversion, low level output to subwoofer, and amplification to stereo speakers. All for $187 from Amazon (so excellent warranty/returns policy). I'm confident it would be a clear upgrade from your previous setup.

        Regarding class A vs class D amplification, I wouldn't worry about it. They are simply different ways of achieving the same thing. There are advantages and disadvantages to either type. Think of it as petrol vs electric cars. There are good and bad petrol cars and there are good and bad electric cars. Just because there are some great petrol cars out there, doesn't mean that all petrol cars are better than all electric cars.

        • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2019 - 20:03

          Hmmm… interesting and sounds very easy to hook up without wondering and worrying about matching up 'ohm' ratings or plugging cables into incorrect receptacles.
          So… my (active) SW would still put out as much sound? It is an 'active' SW so I'd imagine it would get all the extra power it needs from the mains.
          The unit (SMSL-AD18) is so comparatively small so power issues have me a little concerned.

          It does sound appealing, just struggling with confidence on overall output when 'cranked' up if or during particularly beloved parts of the odd song…
          a guitar solo, crazy song crescendo or the like. I do push to somewhat crazy levels intermittently, I never just leave it 'up there'… loud, but not at level 'crazy'…

          • Franckel on 28/10/2019 - 21:36

            @[Deactivated]: With regards to size, part of the reason why the AD18 is small is because it has a large external power brick. I don't think you have to worry about power concerns unless you have very inefficient speakers and like to listen really loud.

            If you want a larger style amplifier, you're going to struggle to find something suitable and within your $400 budget if you are buying new. Australia really gets shafted on prices on a lot of audio gear. None of the amps suggested below have digital inputs, so you will have to spend more on an external DAC (at least $50) or rely on the DAC of unknown quality built into your iMac. Only one, the Pioneer, has a subwoofer output, but as far as I can tell the speaker power output ratings are not significantly higher than those of the AD18. It's possible to do better on the used market, but that takes time, knowledge, and/or luck, and you may not have the option of returning it if you find a flaw.

            • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2019 - 22:58

              @Franckel: Welp' definitely leaning towards the SMSL product now. Going to give it a few days in case any glaring arguments and/or points one way or another come up.
              Going to be a longish' type term choice so going to have to exercise patience… watch me buy something over the next day or two!
              Quite certain I'm going to be disappointed if I don't have something set up or at least well in the works by the next weekend or two.

              • abb on 29/10/2019 - 15:23

                @[Deactivated]: Just chiming in as an SMSL AD18 owner - you might need an adapter to get the subwoofer signal out. They use a 3.5mm TRS ("stereo") plug that combines both subwoofer and…. something else (maybe a digital audio in?). I use a 3.5mm to 2x RCA adapter on mine then a single RCA cable to the sub.

                Other than that, easy to use, does what you'd expect, no complaints about sound quality (my previous was a high-quality class AB stereo amp). I don't know how far the volume numbers go but I usually listen around 10-15, after 20 it's getting loud enough to upset the neighbours ;)

                Actual sound levels achieved of course depends on your speakers/room.

        • [Deactivated] on 04/11/2019 - 23:43

          Just thought I"d let you know. After doing somewhat extensive research I'd almost gone with the Onkyo 9130B Class A amp but finally pulled the trigger on the SMSLAD18.

          So, to clarify. Is best to connect via a USB cable correct? I've been using a 'Y' connector to from the iMac to two (RF?) type connectors into old amp.

          (I've ordered the required cable for SW to AD18 as well). Supposed to arrive by the end of the week so hoping to catch up some lost music time over the last month!

          Thanks again!

          • Franckel on 05/11/2019 - 16:50

            @[Deactivated]: Correct, you will almost certainly get better results with USB, although it’s worth trying your old connector and seeing if you prefer the sound.

            Onkyo is probably a step up, but for 2.5x the price.

            • [Deactivated] on 05/11/2019 - 22:10

              @Franckel: Yes, the budget is somewhat on the tight side currently but given the reviews of this thing, not to mention your supportive comments I feel quite confident it will fit the bill… literally. Worse comes to worse I'll give it to someone and fork out the extra for the Onkyo. The few complaints or criticisms I've read aren't particularly relative to my requirements… some say light 'bleeds' a little at the bottom r/h cnr display or something.

              I couldn't really care less about matters such as this. As long as it 'powers up' without distortion when I want it to I'm pretty sure all will be good.
              Will very much keep your suggestion of hooking up with a USB well in mind, well worth testing out both setups in order to get it right for the longer term ahead. Nothing worse than finding out of such improvements years after owning such equipment. So glad you added that point.

              Regards and thanks again.

  • mtrkr on 28/10/2019 - 18:24

    Much depends if you want new or used, as these 2 have decent reviews and are current models:
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Yamaha-A-S201-Integrated-Amplifi…
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pioneer-SX-10AE-Black-Bluetooth-…

    …or you can go minimal if it suits your speakers (my efficient pair of Bowers&Wilkins works great with this, playing back uncompressed FLAC files using LG v30+ ):
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dayton-Audio-DTA120-120W-Mini-Po…

    ..and then there are several goodlooking used Rotel/NAD/mission amps that might work if there was a way to check eBay/gumtree offers ;)
    Given you're playing music/files off an iMac and relying on its very average DAC & itunes, the gear above would be plenty of quality already.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2019 - 18:52

      Wow, some good looking stuff there. Guess at my age I am more comfy' with the 'A' type amps as suggested and again more familiar with.
      Love the looks/power of the Yammy' though the price of the Pioneer is perhaps more within my price range… great reviews on both counts as you say!

      About the Dayton you suggested. If I understand correctly, this would be connected via the amp yes? The only (circular) 'port' it has is for the SW.
      Otherwise there are only 2 x 4 of the 'spring loaded/wire type connectors at the back of the SW. One side 'high level from amp' the other 'output to speakers'. (I've never used these).
      Only the SW is connected via cable direct to amp… if any of this extra info helps that is!

      I'm a 'stickler' for the SW though. Love that low end! Great for songs like 'When The Levy Breaks' (Led Zep') as just one example. IYKWIM.

      • mtrkr on 28/10/2019 - 21:17

        re: Dayton - it's a basic, effectively 1-source amp that's modestly powered yet clean sound to rival much bigger amps, tiny for what it does etc. Gets reviews like this, https://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/dayton_dta100_e.html
        Never having used subwoofers (just good stereo compact speakers on good stands), have never found the 'extra' bass necessary.
        With the Dayton, it's source->dayton amp-> 1x pair speakers (preferably efficiency 85dB or higher, eg, using these bargains work well, and plenty of real bass using good stands: https://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-louds… )

        • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2019 - 22:53

          Very interesting and awesome reviews for your speakers! Cheers for additional/valued info'.

  • brendanm on 28/10/2019 - 20:00

    You could always open up your amp and have a quick gander. Likely a blown up cap, or a dead amp transistor/MOSFET. Could be a $5 fix if you are handy.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2019 - 20:05

      True, but I'm pretty set on upgrading now, despite being predominantly practical. Still a very valid suggestion though, thanks.
      Worse comes to worse I'll consider it as a back up plan. But thoughts of upgrading as I say are well in mind now.

      • brendanm on 28/10/2019 - 20:18

        Fair enough, it is a good excuse for an upgrade!

  • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2019 - 23:54

    Also I believe many/most will say the type 'A' amps produce the best sound?

    Yes. Type A produces great sound because most of the artefact sounds will be turned into heat.

    It is a very power inefficient way to have clean sound but if great sound is what you're after…

  • brad1-8tsi on 29/10/2019 - 08:09

    if you love your existing amp and it's a good one then why not get it repaired.

    Steve at Silicon Heaven (western Sydney) or Dr HiFi in North Sydney might be able to help.

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