• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Recommended Modern Amps

I would certainly recommend two of the amps I own: the Dynakit ST-35 (still available from dynakitparts.com) and the Channel Islands Audio (CIA) D200 mono amps. Very different amps, both great at what they do.
 
I'd love to hear your Channel Islands Rich. I know what high regard you hold them in.

cubdog
 
RichPA said:
I would certainly recommend two of the amps I own: the Dynakit ST-35 (still available from dynakitparts.com) and the Channel Islands Audio (CIA) D200 mono amps. Very different amps, both great at what they do.
Click to expand...

Rich, where in Central PA do you hail from?
 
Spektre said:
Of all the kit I currently own and have in the past the Creek Audio Destiny 2 is probably the only thing I'd give an unreserved recommendation to. With 100W it can wrestle most speakers into submission and the sound is smooth, effortless, and detailed. It seems to have all the virtues of a valve amp of rich midrange and holographic imaging/ sound staging without any transistor harshness or grain its both luxurious and dynamic. It also has enough guts to get up and rock provided you use appropriate speakers and sources. Its probably one of the most neutral audio components I've heard and doesn't favor any particular music genre and I really notice this because I use so many different types of speaker. Its gonna take something pretty major to upgrade on what this amp has to offer, its such a good all-rounder.
Click to expand...

I've always had my eye on that Creek amp...does it allow for a by pass of the integrated part and be used as an amp only? I think Mike Creek uuse to make amps a few years ago, but not any more.....and it too bad you cant get his Wyndsor phono amp here in the states.
 
Last edited:
RamblinE said:
Can I throw in a cheapskate recommendation?

I've been using an Audiosource Amp100 on and off for quite a while now. It is of solid build. Metal shell, torodial transformer and large heat sinks on the inside.

At this point I have very few points of reference however for an $89-$99 amplifier with 50wpc I feel like I'm getting quiet a dynamic and punchy listening experience for the money.

It has it's own volume pot and balance pot. It has two inputs, a line out and the ability to monobridge for 150wpc. I'm seriously considering purchasing a second unit soon to do just that. :D

amp-100.jpg
Click to expand...

I second the Audiosource Amp 100. I've used three of them in mono bridged mode driving my party system, two on a pair of high/mid cabs, and the third on a passive sub, and they performed beyond my expectations. I wanted something good, but compact and inexpensive for occasional use DJ'ing family parties, and the AMP 100s fit the bill. I did not want to use any of my mint modern or vintage amps, and risk getting them scratched or dinged. The Audiosource amps sounded great in use, and ran only warm to the touch. They are solidly built, with heavy gauge casework, generously sized transformers, and pretty substantial looking cast aluminum heatsinks, not the thin, anemic looking stamped sheet metal stuff you see in a lot of mass market amps and AVRs.
 
Last edited:
Rotel RA-04SE

Hi all,

I hope this is the right place for this.

After searching for "the ideal 40W amp" for my small room, I decided go for this Rotel piece. Taking of what appeared on What HiFi website, where they gave 5 stars for this machine over the other (Cambridge Audio, Nad, etc), I'm strongly considering to buy this model. But, just few hours later I read What HiFi forum someone complaining about this amp saying that it is "too much bright and trebly sound", althought I think it could be just a subjective matter, but I had a sudden doubt.

What you think? Not sure if Rotel is popular in North America, but I saw a lot of positive feedback on this amp. Picture below:
 

Attachments

  • Rotel_RA_04_SE.jpg
    Rotel_RA_04_SE.jpg
    24.8 KB · Views: 195
I have no idea how that amp sounds but Rotel has a pretty good reputation. Maybe someone else has heard it and will chime in. It sure looks nice.

cubdog
 
Karl vd Berg said:
Hi all,

I hope this is the right place for this.

After searching for "the ideal 40W amp" for my small room, I decided go for this Rotel piece. Taking of what appeared on What HiFi website, where they gave 5 stars for this machine over the other (Cambridge Audio, Nad, etc), I'm strongly considering to buy this model. But, just few hours later I read What HiFi forum someone complaining about this amp saying that it is "too much bright and trebly sound", althought I think it could be just a subjective matter, but I had a sudden doubt.

What you think? Not sure if Rotel is popular in North America, but I saw a lot of positive feedback on this amp. Picture below:
Click to expand...

It would help if you listed what you are using as speakers, cable, and preamp.

I have a Rotel RB 1080. 200 watts per channel. Its a nice mid-fi amp but has its weaknesses.

1) I love the warm tone which pairs very well with tubes in my opinion. I dont find it bright, but it's a little right of neutral. But I love the tone it has....sweet in character

2) A little light in the bass. Especially with good quality speakers. Needs more slam.

I also have the RB-1070 in a bedroom configuration paired with some Nola speakers. This amp seems to be doing alright in its configuration with no need for slam.

For the main system with the 1080, a new amp is in its future that has the sweet tone of the Rotel but with more slam in the bass.
 
Last edited:
I've owned a number of Rotel pieces including integrated amps, pre amps, and power amps. The smaller Rotel integrated amps work nicely in the right system but don't have a lot of headroom and can easily sound strained. They also sound a bit gray or colorless. Tonality is not particularly good. Interestingly, they are better for classical and rock than jazz. I like the comparably priced NAD amps better even though they may not be as pretty. The Cambridge carries the same caveats as the Rotel but with better tonality...that is if we are talking about late models. All opinions are mine and as always are likely to be wrong...:D
 
Art K. said:
I've owned a number of Rotel pieces including integrated amps, pre amps, and power amps. The smaller Rotel integrated amps work nicely in the right system but don't have a lot of headroom and can easily sound strained. They also sound a bit gray or colorless. Tonality is not particularly good. Interestingly, they are better for classical and rock than jazz. I like the comparably priced NAD amps better even though they may not be as pretty. The Cambridge carries the same caveats as the Rotel but with better tonality...that is if we are talking about late models. All opinions are mine and as always are likely to be wrong...:D
Click to expand...

I decided to fire up the rig and take a listen for the things you mentioned. The Rotel amp with the Vincent tube preamp. What I've noticed and may lead me to get a new amp sooner is the low level listening with the addition of the Vento's. The first watt is unclear with the lower ranges smeared. the Vento's are only 87 db while my previous 403's are 89 db. At the same volume the 403's are louder which is to be expected....and it runs a little hotter with the 87 db's which too is expected...but I would not expect the 200 watt Rotel to smear on the first watt with 87 db's. There is no smear with the first watt at 89db. I would not think a difference of two db's would do as the Rotel is doing. The tone of he music is very good with no grain...grey and is very romantic especially In the mids. My rock days have been behind me for thirty years...occasionally a little Pink Floyd or Allman Brothes or Hendrix but that's once a year if that. Now a little Howling Wolf or Muddy Waters but mostly Jazz followed with Classical and the Rotel does them all good. Now you are 100% on the head room issue. But Rotel has never been my end all amp. After moving back to St. Louis I stumbled into a pawn shop and saw the Rotel amp, preamp, Rotel 5 disc changer and Rotel Tuner all on display ready for sell. 1 hour later I walked out of the store with all of it for $300. Thus a relationship with Rotel was born.
 
The two no-brainer recommendations for modern current production amps are the Rega Brio-R and Naim Nait XS. Both highly musical but in different price categories. The Nait XS is the better amp but at almost 3 times the price and without a phono stage.

If I wanted to spend up to $3k on an amp/preamp or integrated, it would be on my short list for sure.
 
Rotel RA-04SE

Thank you all guys. Really appreciated your notes.

I think I'll get this amp.

slippers-on, many people say that B&W speakers are the natural companion for Rotel amplifiers. But I'm considering about a different model, for money reason: Monitor Audio RX2.

And reading what you guys said here, another question comes out: would it be some kind of components that determine an amplifier's tonality, such as capacitors? I ask this 'cause I have read that some audio grade capacitors can improve the "sound experience" (link here). Maybe only this wouldn't be not true because of a particular electrical schematic the companies make for their own products. I'm not intended to change any component, but it's only for the knowledge.

Anyway, after listening to the coming amp, I'll tell what I felt.

Many thanks.
 
Please update on what you think of the MA's. I'm shopping for speakers for my Rotel and I'm looking for a place to audition those speakers. B&W's, to me, sounded kind of bland.
 
frankbooth said:
Please update on what you think of the MA's. I'm shopping for speakers for my Rotel and I'm looking for a place to audition those speakers. B&W's, to me, sounded kind of bland.
Click to expand...
I'm thinking about the MA's RX2 because of the kind of room I have. Although I'm not a huge bass-reflex system fan, these speakers can deliver pretty clear low ends and cut frequencies around 2kHz which I like. But it's just a consideration on this bookshelf. And I'm open for other models at the same range if you have other options. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Emotiva XPA-2

I can definitely recommend this amp. Plenty of power, good build quality, and it sounds pretty good too. It is not as warm as my vintage gear, i would just call it a clean uncolored sound but not harsh. Im driving it with a Benchmark dac1 pre and powering a pair of Troels Gravesen 3way classic DIY speakers at the moment, which is kind of overkill considering their 90 db sensitivity. These are very natural sounding speakers.
They control the bass on my HPM-100s much better than the SX-1250 but make them sound much harsher.
The only downside I can see is the led meters are pretty slow reacting.

The DAC, XPA-2 and DIY speaker setup has become my preferred listening equipment as the imaging is much better and the overall sound is much more balanced than my vintage gear.

I think this is the best deal in new stuff going.
 
ambient said:
Just got it on friday and enjoying it quite a bit
Click to expand...

Congrats....Im a fan of Bel Canto. I actually had the 2.5 DAC in my system at one time and it was a very good performer. I loved the warmth that seem to come from female voices and the voice being kinda out front a bit. Nice score you got there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom