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2 Ch amp question

JohnnieO

JohnnieO

Active Member
Hello all
After a year back in HiFi after a 2 decade break I have assembled a system I am happy with. It is consist's of a Pioneer SA 8800 integrated amp with a Pioneer SG9500 EQ I purchased because it was nice and a good deal and yea it looks cool to. Also have a set of JBL L5s. And a pioneer PL-550 turntable.
Now the question……
I have been pondering a 2CH amp.i would like to get one. I don’t need one I just want one. I’m very happy with the sound but I love gear too. Would a 2 channel amp change the sound a lot? I like the sound I have now.
Like I said I just want one to have one
I am considering a Adcom (cheap) or a Galion 75 watt A/B ($1500) my integrated pioneer is 80 WPC so would it be stupid to add a 75WPC amp? I am also considering a Pioneer SPEC amp depending on condition and price.
Any advice from more experienced members would be appreciated
I’m open to criticism as well as suggestions towards other amps in the $1500 or even better less range
 

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JohnnieO said:
I have been pondering a 2CH amp.i would like to get one. I don’t need one I just want one. I’m very happy with the sound but I love gear too. Would a 2 channel amp change the sound a lot? I like the sound I have now.
Click to expand...

While I don't think, that you'd profit much from a dedicated power-amp, I'd say, if you want one, why not... Well, and given, that you already like the sound of your system as is, I'd think, that a SPEC-4 should be a pretty good choice.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Odyssey Audio Khartago. 110 high current watts per channel, 2 ohm stable, and biased class A for about the first ten watts. Takes awhile to break in, but worth the wait. Starts at about $1k, and you can upgrade according to your wishes, or your wallet. Klaus will build the amp to your specifications, and tune it for your preference, cool, neutral, or slightly warm, and your house power. You can send it in for a tune-up anytime you think it needs it, and it comes with a twenty year warranty.

I have a highly upgraded Khartago, with 130wpc, with an Odyssey Candela tube preamp. I'm not looking for anything better, and I have zero problem recommending Klaus, and his equipment. True high-end German designs, made in, wait for it..... Indianapolis. And it's a local phone call, for you, OP....
,
 
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lini said:
While I don't think, that you'd profit much from a dedicated power-amp, I'd say, if you want one, why not... Well, and given, that you already like the sound of your system as is, I'd think, that a SPEC-4 should be a pretty good choice.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
Click to expand...
Thank you
I was thinking the same thing. Sticking with brand and era plus matching styling. While the music is indeed the main thing I do love the gear as well. Greetings from Indianapolis
 
justjed2 said:
Odyssey Audio Khartago. 110 high current watts per channel, 2 ohm stable, and biased class A for about the first ten watts. Takes awhile to break in, but worth the wait. Starts at about $1k, and you can upgrade according to your wishes, or your wallet. Klaus will build the amp to your specifications, and tune it for your preference, cool, neutral, or slightly warm, and your house power. You can send it in for a tune-up anytime you think it needs it, and it comes with a twenty year warranty.

I have a highly upgraded Khartago, with 130wpc, with an Odyssey Candela tube preamp. I'm not looking for anything better, and I have zero problem recommending Klaus, and his equipment. True high-end German designs, made in, wait for it, Indianapolis. And it's a local phone call, for you, OP....
,
Click to expand...
I will look him up for sure. Thank you for that info. That would be nice to have a local guy here in Indy
 
JohnnieO said:
I will look him up for sure. Thank you for that info. That would be nice to have a local guy here in Indy
Click to expand...
JohnnieO said:
I will look him up for sure. Thank you for that info. That would be nice to have a local guy here in Indy
Click to expand...
I just looked him up and all I can say is wow.
Right here in town. I never knew. Of course I’m new to this hobby but wow. I think my decision has been made
 
JohnnieO said:
A power amplifier. Not a integrated
Click to expand...
Ah, Okay

As I'm sure you are aware your SA-8800 has Pre-Out/Power In so you're ahead of the game there in that you won't need a Pre-Amp

JohnnieO said:
.. I’m very happy with the sound but I love gear too.... Would a 2 channel amp change the sound a lot? I like the sound I have now.
Click to expand...

I doubt it

In my humble opinion the sound one hears usually emanates from the Pre-amp however I've read enough folks swearing by their Power amp as the difference maker sound wise.
 
JohnnieO said:
I will look him up for sure. Thank you for that info. That would be nice to have a local guy here in Indy
Click to expand...
This may be another nube.question but can the break in process be sped up by just leaving the amp on or does one need to actually play audio thru the amp to break it in? Definitely not a deal breaker I have made my mind up to go with Odyssey. I just need to get some other stuff sold to get it by the wife…lol. Also is there a wait time or does he have some base models built and ready to go. I didn’t want to bother the man until I’m ready to buy
Thanks again for the referral. I can’t believe that he is here in my humble city
 
JohnnieO said:
This may be another nube.question but can the break in process be sped up by just leaving the amp on or does one need to actually play audio thru the amp to break it in? Definitely not a deal breaker I have made my mind up to go with Odyssey. I just need to get some other stuff sold to get it by the wife…lol. Also is there a wait time or does he have some base models built and ready to go. I didn’t want to bother the man until I’m ready to buy
Thanks again for the referral. I can’t believe that he is here in my humble city
Click to expand...
I was told by a self professed audiophile, that you need to break in an amp under load. So in my case, at the time I had a new integrated amp that was irritating my ears, I played it at medium volume on 4 ohm speakers for 8-9 hrs two days in a row, while I was at work, and did not sit down and listen to it until the third day. On the third day it no longer irritated my ears! The are companies and people here that make test speaker loads to connect to an amp, for the same and other reasons. I have seen a Youtube video of the Schitt factory, I believe, where they showed racks of amps being broken in using test loads.

As for lead time, call or email him.
 
All of the Hafler amps had great sound, but it will not big of a difference from what you already have. 3 db more power is very little difference when comes to listening. There has to be a 5 to 6 db increase to really hear a significant difference. The issue is can your speakers and ears handle that large of an increase. Most likely not unless you have a lot of recordings with little processing. Such as Telarc and Reference Recordings either on LP, CD, or DVD that demand a lot of power for peaks.

Your speakers are rated at 90 db sensitivity so at 10 feet thats about 80 db. So 100 watts would give you about 100 db in level. Most folks listen with peaks around 85 db with average levels 10 to 6 db less depending on the type of music. If you also use the system for movies then special effects can easily reach that 100 db mark. 160 watts would only give you another 3 db and 320 watts another 3 or a total of 106 db. It takes 10 db increase to make something sound twice as loud or 800 watts and that your speakers can not handle. The power rating of the speakers is based on what the low freq driver can handle and not the midrange or tweeter.

If you want a more revealing and detailed sound try Krell or Bryston. For something a bit smoother, maybe and ARC or Mcintosh tube amp. All will blow your budget.
 
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Break-in takes about a month. Hook it up, plug it straight into the wall, turn it on, and leave it that way. Give it a half-hour or so and start listening. Some days you'll have very little bass, other days too much. Just listen, it will stabilize in time. Klaus calls it Jekyll-and-Hyde, and it can be disconcerting, but it's normal.

Yes, there's a wait time, it's not built until you order. But, Klaus might have a loaner, since you're local...
 
justjed2 said:
Break-in takes about a month. Hook it up, plug it straight into the wall, turn it on, and leave it that way. Give it a half-hour or so and start listening. Some days you'll have very little bass, other days too much. Just listen, it will stabilize in time. Klaus calls it Jekyll-and-Hyde, and it can be disconcerting, but it's normal.

Yes, there's a wait time, it's not built until you order. But, Klaus might have a loaner, since you're local...
Click to expand...
Wow, that is a long breakin time, maybe a test load would shorten it. My Marantz Model 50 took about 15 hrs of play time to open up, but it never irritated my ears during that time, or had any Jekyll-and-Hyde issues, why do Odessy amps have that issue?
 
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twiiii said:
All of the Hafler amps had great sound, but it will not big of a difference from what you already have. 3 db more power is very little difference when comes to listening. There has to be a 5 to 6 db increase to really hear a significant difference. The issue is can your speakers and ears handle that large of an increase. Most likely not unless you have a lot of recordings with little processing. Such as Telarc and Reference Recordings either on LP, CD, or DVD that demand a lot of power for peaks.

Your speakers are rated at 90 db sensitivity so at 10 feet thats about 80 db. So 100 watts would give you about 100 db in level. Most folks listen with peaks around 85 db with average levels 10 to 6 db less depending on the type of music. If you also use the system for movies then special effects can easily reach that 100 db mark. 160 watts would only give you another 3 db and 320 watts another 3 or a total of 106 db. It takes 10 db increase to make something sound twice as loud or 800 watts and that your speakers can not handle. The power rating of the speakers is based on what the low freq driver can handle and not the midrange or tweeter.

If you want a more revealing and detailed sound try Krell or Bryston. For something a bit smoother, maybe and ARC or Mcintosh tube amp. All will blow your budget.
Click to expand...
Thank you
That was very informative. I’m at the stage of learning all I can and that was very helpful. I guess what I’m looking for is a more punchy authoritative sound with clarity. Not so much volume as I rarely listen at super loud volumes and I guess most of that comes from the pre amp section. And as shallow as it may be I just kinda want one just to have one. I’m mostly vintage HiFi now but it could also be the base to build a more modern system.
 
JohnnieO said:
Thank you
That was very informative. I’m at the stage of learning all I can and that was very helpful. I guess what I’m looking for is a more punchy authoritative sound with clarity. Not so much volume as I rarely listen at super loud volumes and I guess most of that comes from the pre amp section. And as shallow as it may be I just kinda want one just to have one. I’m mostly vintage HiFi now but it could also be the base to build a more modern system.
Click to expand...
The Marantz Model 50 integrated amp ( ebay has used ones close in price to above Odessy amp) was designed to sound great at low volumes, that is why I got it, and it does that very well! No need for Loudness or Bass EQ, since it has tight punchy bass at lower volumes. Compared to my other amps, it does not have a step or noticeable transition in SQ as I turn the volume down or up. The only thing I notice is if I play it too long, too loud, I will feel a single pin prick in my ears (usually right ear), and now I listen to my ears and turn it down on the first pin prick!

Of course, that low Volume SQ is a function of the preamp and how it is integrated into the amp. Mixing and matching different mfg preamps and amps is not a one size fits all according to "some" experienced members here. But I have no experience in that.

Odessy makes an integrated amp with "1" source input, the Cyclops only costs $100 more than the amp discussed above, guess you could use a switch box to add more sources if needed. I would ask about the low volume SQ before buying!, or demo an amp on your system if possible.
 
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