Amp Recommendations for Nikko NR-1015 with Dahlquist DQ10s

[SoulSmileInc]

Hi everyone Caught the audio bug about a month ago & feel lucky to have acquired some mint Dahlquist DQ10 speakers in custom red for the anchor piece & a Nikko NR-1015 receiver last week! Can only say I have been hearing things I have never heard before .

I am amazed at what the 85wpc NR-1015 brings out in the 8Ω DQ10s (especially the base, that loudness button is wild) but have decided that I need to give the power hungry beasts what they deserve. I am looking to use the pre out to add another high wattage amp but need your help in narrowing down the list below OR tweak based on your wise audio karma insights ?

What would you RECOMMEND? isn't COMPATIBLE? PRO TIPs? or AVOID?


(easy on the placement I am working on stands to bring em out farther)
​

My EAR Situation & Preference:

• I am on a budget with a priority to bring the best warm sound & performance out of the DQ10s but don't haven't listened to enough systems to know the synergy nuances. I've read that you don't need an amp with super high wattage amp for DQ10's but you DO NEED one with very high peak amperage capability.... I don't know what this means tho. I have a little flexibility of spending more, if significantly better in your experience.
• I listen to almost everything but really appreciate some vocals, strings, jazz & heavy beats.
• Hi-Fi is key but the amp needs to match with the setup aesthetically or it will bug me. You can see my place is a little retro so steel is the vibe and who doesn't like meters?
• Just beginning my journey and don't have a lot of technical tinkering skill or time, so low maintenance is a factor for me.
• Next goal is hooking my tv (via bluesound or ...) to the setup so ideally the amplifier would easily integrate.

My Current Available Options
( that I've spent way too much time scouring)​

Amp Pic​	Model (links go go to Hifi Engine) & watts per channel​	Purchase Consideration & Notes​
	Niko Alpha 1 220wpc​	- Match Nikko with Nikko makes sense right & should compliment well? - Clean Design
	Nikko Alpha 450 220wpc​	- super far away
	Phase Linear 400 210wpc *Phase Linear 200 (105wpc) also avaiable​	- Love the design -"Blaze Linears" were known to blow channels back in the day. How easy is it to setup a stereo protector line? - medium distance away
	Yamaha P-2200 230wpc​	- Works perfect but needs new bannana plugs (how hard is this?) Power switch stays on (workaround?) which could get annoying.
	Sansui B2102 (not Mos Vintage) 200wpc​	- Just look at that Meter in Action - medium distance
	Dynaco 400 200wpc​	- Clean and interesting design - super far away
	Harman Kardon Citation 16 150wpc​	- love the design - upgraded professionally and was working but has been in storage for many years. - over my budget & super far away
	Adcom GFA-5500 200 wpc​	- super far away - plain design
	Emotiva LPA-1 125 wpc​	- great design - Medium distance
	Crown XLi 1500 330wpc​	- brand new - not the best looking in my opinion - medium distance
	TOA P-924 Mono 220wpc​	- Main draw is to monoblock and design but unsure on quality and if input threshold will sacrifice on quality based on plug in module setup. Has anyone used these with a receiver? - low budget option

Thanks for your opinion & guidance

Nikko folk
cc @PeterFCassidy @KingBubba @ranch 22b @ryuuoh @gklainer @Bucky Badger @Yankee Dog @vintagerocks @caddisgeek @nickv41 @vintageaudio @YogaJedi
@spoloshin @YogaJedi @1starr @Knet70 @Nikko newbie @greek_fire @Biker Paul @A/D/Slover @sregor @AltecDarpa @ehoove @gatorvrx @Clutch @Tony Z @Nikko75 @Filmboydoug @HepcatWilly @J_Money @bolly @gyusher @kajguy @bully @Tower Boss @guiller @rickon66 @tarior @webpolice @countryslim @HokieVT @EPI-Center @guiller @mattx @Wolverine @Paintchemist @dylanbonkers @vintagerocks @Tomcow @llwhtt @JoshHendi @lqpete11 @SPL db @onepixel @Fishstink @motorstereo @88gibson @xupernaut

Dahlquist Folk
@cubdog @Nat @markb @Susurus @buckleboy @GordonW @Harvestor @Paul89 @Blue Shadow @sunvalleylaw @Pete B @Prof. Gizmo @baco99 @elcoholic @Yamaha5000 @silvernutsaq @BmWr75 @thedelihaus @marantzfan @EddyFranner @VINTAGCHRIS @dnewma04 @rtate @ScramMan2 @Nat @JimmyNeutron @Donkey Karma @StimpyWan @thunderroad @dokblues @MATT0404 @AudioMag @Kneedeepinit @derik736 @mikey3117 @Isotonic @bobrown14 @Ski @JohnVF @bobrown14 @pich @Rob-F @orthophonic @Billfort @srianni @barkerd @Jailtime @Tom Brennan @dj_AmTraX @HomerJSimpson @Rolf Zetterberg @

 

[Blue Shadow]

50 tube watts are more than enough if you use a sub and take the bottom end out of the 10s.
I'm using 80 watts of sand power with the 10s right now.

So that is another place to put the funds or for now do more research.

 

[llwhtt]

Ampzilla and DQ10s were a hot combo back in the day.

Craig

 

[ivandezande]

Nikko Alpha 1 or the Emotiva.

The Dynaco is junk, TOA junk, Phase is gonna have issues, Yamaha great but needs to be restored, HK same boat, 450 will have issues.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Hey, just noticed SSI the OP has just joined and look at those lists of folks that he pinged. Folks that probably have threads on either nikko or DQ. Impressive work on the board with research before posting. Longest list of pings I've ever seen. Wonder what the results would be if everyone listed responded with their choice? would there be a clear couple favorites?

welcome to ak.

 

[SoulSmileInc]

I am picking up the Nikko Alpha 1 on Sunday !!! !!!

2nd choice was the Phase Linear 400 (with plans to a due a White Oak update) and the Sansui B2102 but the Nikko had more power and matches my Nikko NR15, is a lot closer to pick up, and is just more rare when the masses find out about the under the radar Nikko quality . If there are any Phase Linear or Sansui folks who see this and think I am overlooking something, I would love to hear your thoughts?

Thanks @ivandezande, that is the exact background info I was looking for on maintenance. @llwhtt I looked a lot when compiling the list but there were no Ampzilla's to be found, at least not in my range.

@Blue Shadow I haven't started down the tube journey but saw this entry amp and will definitely explore when I have more funds. I want to hear that tube sound difference.

@PeterFCassidy full Nikko System NR-1015 & Alpha 1 + Dahlquist DQ10's. I can't wait

 

[milo63]

I am picking up the Nikko Alpha 1 on Sunday !!! !!!

2nd choice was the Phase Linear 400 (with plans to a due a White Oak update) and the Sansui B2102 but the Nikko had more power and matches my Nikko NR15, is a lot closer to pick up, and is just more rare when the masses find out about the under the radar Nikko quality . If there are any Phase Linear or Sansui folks who see this and think I am overlooking something, I would love to hear your thoughts?

Thanks @ivandezande, that is the exact background info I was looking for on maintenance. @llwhtt I looked a lot when compiling the list but there were no Ampzilla's to be found, at least not in my range.

@Blue Shadow I haven't started down the tube journey but saw this entry amp and will definitely explore when I have more funds. I want to hear that tube sound difference.

@PeterFCassidy full Nikko System NR-1015 & Alpha 1 + Dahlquist DQ10's. I can't wait



View attachment 3037421
View attachment 3037423

My Alpha 1 is one of the few amps that have really woke up my DQ-20s, P2200 is another..
I've got a rebuild thread somewhere..

You're local.. I know those amps.

 

[ivandezande]

I am picking up the Nikko Alpha 1 on Sunday !!! !!!

2nd choice was the Phase Linear 400 (with plans to a due a White Oak update) and the Sansui B2102 but the Nikko had more power and matches my Nikko NR15, is a lot closer to pick up, and is just more rare when the masses find out about the under the radar Nikko quality . If there are any Phase Linear or Sansui folks who see this and think I am overlooking something, I would love to hear your thoughts?

Thanks @ivandezande, that is the exact background info I was looking for on maintenance. @llwhtt I looked a lot when compiling the list but there were no Ampzilla's to be found, at least not in my range.

@Blue Shadow I haven't started down the tube journey but saw this entry amp and will definitely explore when I have more funds. I want to hear that tube sound difference.

@PeterFCassidy full Nikko System NR-1015 & Alpha 1 + Dahlquist DQ10's. I can't wait



View attachment 3037421
View attachment 3037423

Awesome! I restored one a while back that had blown an entire channel. Only preventative maintenance on these is replacing the protection relay, LY2-02-DC24 I believe. Make sure the huge cap caps aren't leaking too, I replaced them with UCC 33,000uF 100V 3" I believe.

You'll love it. Now find a Nikko Beta I!

 

[PeterFCassidy]

NR-1015 is a superior piece of kit. I had a local tech repair mine - and he tore it apart once he saw what was in there. He was impressed by the tuner and, no idea what I had, the phono pre-amp. I bought it on a sale from a place going out of business. Worthwhile investigating what you can do with the rig regarding vinyl reproduction.

 

[SoulSmileInc]

My FM tuner isn't currently working and haven't tried the phono yet but this is good to know. The insides need a good cleaning but I haven't investigated too much as I have only had it for 3 weeks and loving every bit of it soo far.

How would you describe the sound? My dad thought it was a tube amplifier when he first heard it?

 

[gklainer]

I still have an NR-1015 and it is one of the best under the radar receivers from the 70s. I have owned most of the monster receivers from Marantz, Pioneer, Sansui, Sherwood, etc and it holds its own with all of them. The Nikko Alpha 1 is a great amp. I really liked my Alpha 1's I had years ago. The only drawback to the Alpha 1 is it did not have a power switch but it was to be paired and switched with the Nikko Beta 1.

The Alpha 1 is an excellent match. I stripped the vinyl covering from the NR-1015 case and used some nice wood veneer on it. I'm not a carpenter but it wasn't too hard to do since there aren't any real difficult cuts with the NR-1015 case. If you wanted a deeper blue color with the dial lights, you can easily and quickly swap out the lights for white LED's which will give it a deeper blue look.

Lights like these will work nicely in the unit. LED LIghts

Nice setup.

Enjoy the holidays.

 

[SoulSmileInc]

Thank @gklainer you are a mind reader!!!
The dim lights were bugging me and I am going to add red led backdrops like this one I found below. I will update the deeper blue lights at the same time.



I was also thinking how to update the casing but don't have the time to do a custom case right now. This is perfect and you just gave me the idea to add the veneer to to the buttons that aren't knobs, too.

Curious what amp do you pair it when you work it in the rotation?

Happy Holidays!

 

[gklainer]

Thank @gklainer you are a mind reader!!!
The dim lights were bugging me and I am going to add red led backdrops like this one I found below. I will update the deeper blue lights at the same time.

View attachment 3046924

I was also thinking how to update the casing but don't have the time to do a custom case right now. This is perfect and you just gave me the idea to add the veneer to to the buttons that aren't knobs, too.

Curious what amp do you pair it when you work it in the rotation?

Happy Holidays!

I have a pair of Nikko Alpha VI's that I use to vertically bi-amp my speakers in my Music Room and Man Cave. Maybe a little overkill, but it's fun and sounds great. I primarily use the Nikko NR-1015 in a rotation in my Office or Bedroom. I don't pair it with any other amps when it is in use. It still packs a punch at 85 WPC and I'm using speakers that are pretty easy to drive in the office.

 

[milo63]

I still have an NR-1015 and it is one of the best under the radar receivers from the 70s. I have owned most of the monster receivers from Marantz, Pioneer, Sansui, Sherwood, etc and it holds its own with all of them. The Nikko Alpha 1 is a great amp. I really liked my Alpha 1's I had years ago. The only drawback to the Alpha 1 is it did not have a power switch but it was to be paired and switched with the Nikko Beta 1.

The Alpha 1 is an excellent match. I stripped the vinyl covering from the NR-1015 case and used some nice wood veneer on it. I'm not a carpenter but it wasn't too hard to do since there aren't any real difficult cuts with the NR-1015 case. If you wanted a deeper blue color with the dial lights, you can easily and quickly swap out the lights for white LED's which will give it a deeper blue look.

Lights like these will work nicely in the unit. LED LIghts

Nice setup.

Enjoy the holidays.

I did not know that the Beta 1 had the capacity to run the Alpha 1 (600w), my Beta 2 and 20 do not.

 

[gklainer]

I did not know that the Beta 1 had the capacity to run the Alpha 1 (600w), my Beta 2 and 20 do not.

The Beta 1, 3 and 40 have large transformers in them and can handle the Alpha 1.

 

[SoulSmileInc]

I have a pair of Nikko Alpha VI's that I use to vertically bi-amp my speakers in my Music Room and Man Cave. Maybe a little overkill, but it's fun and sounds great. I primarily use the Nikko NR-1015 in a rotation in my Office or Bedroom. I don't pair it with any other amps when it is in use. It still packs a punch at 85 WPC and I'm using speakers that are pretty easy to drive in the office.

Yeah, it is currently driving my main system (DQ-10 and surrounds) with a powered subwoofer in my living room. The 85wpc has more than enough power and sounds soo good. Some expenses came up so I couldn't pick up Alpha 1 just yet, but it makes me wonder how much better the DQ-10s will sound with more than current 2x wattage.....especially since I don't blast my music. @milo63 mentioned that his Alpha 1 "really woke up" his Dahlquists but unsure on the science behind how more wattage creates higher fidelity in the DQ-10's at low to medium volume. Think I am going to have to bribe him to come over for a test

Could sure use the funds to renovate the Nikko to 100% an ensure it lasts..... or maybe a tube receiver ( I hear the DQ-10s pair really well with tube amps).

 

[ivandezande]

Awesome! I restored one a while back that had blown an entire channel. Only preventative maintenance on these is replacing the protection relay, LY2-02-DC24 I believe. Make sure the huge cap caps aren't leaking too, I replaced them with UCC 33,000uF 100V 3" I believe.

You'll love it. Now find a Nikko Beta I!

Nikko Beta 1 Preamp | eBay

Subjectively, the Nikko has a much quieter phono section. put capability is about 15 dB more than the Beta 1 is likely. and very wideband. That of the phono preamp is equally. The basic frequency response of the Beta 1.

www.ebay.com

Speaking of…..
No affiliation. Just happened to see it and thought of this thread.

 

[milo63]

Nikko Beta 1 Preamp | eBay

Subjectively, the Nikko has a much quieter phono section. put capability is about 15 dB more than the Beta 1 is likely. and very wideband. That of the phono preamp is equally. The basic frequency response of the Beta 1.

www.ebay.com

Speaking of…..
No affiliation. Just happened to see it and thought of this thread.

I've been looking at it, as I already have a recapped Beta 2 and 20 the only benefit would be the ability to run my Alpha 1 without a power strip.