2. amps-preamps
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Amplifier for home stereo dedicated to lossless quality music

I need to decide on a preamp/amp or receiver to use in my home sound system. I’ll be streaming FLAC 24/96kHz albums to an amplifier that feeds indoor and outdoor Monitor Audio speakers (which I’m very find of due to their accuracy). I want to do the source files justice but I have no intention of dropping a grand just on amplification. The speakers in the system both front and back are 100W max at 8 ohms. Any suggestions on what I might look for in the speaker amplification would be appreciated!
bozskaggs
12 responses Add your response
mesch
3,394 posts
 
There are many quality integrated amplifiers priced under $1000. Some also have an internal DAC. One great option is the Yamaha A-S301, S501. S701, S801 line of integrated amplifiers. All have internal DAC. The 701 and 801 provide 100wpc into 8ohms. THe 801 has USB input, the others coax and toslink only.  Retail price ranges $350 for the 301 to $900 for the 801, can be found discounted. Which Monitor Audio speakers do you have?
soix
8,644 posts
 
The Outlaw RR2160 receiver does pretty much everything you need (including a 24/192 DAC), and from all accounts I’ve seen from customers here it sounds good too. $799 on outlawaudio.com.

bozskaggs OP
12 posts
 
I have CL60s outdoors and an older Monitor model indoors but still with the excellent woofer/mid speaker in them.

I'm planning on attaching my NAS drive to my Wifi router which is will be in the same room and nearby the amp, which I should be able to link wirelessly using Google Chromecast Audio which has a TOSLINK port. I'd hardwire the router to the amp but the construction of the home doesn't really allow it without some major modifications.
bozskaggs OP
12 posts
 
The Yamaha Integrated amps seem to be a good fit for low HD and frequency range. I hadn't even though about the internal DAC since the Chromecast is transmitting the NAS files to the amp but that would of course still require the amp DAC to play the FLAC files! Thanks for bringing that up.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
Just as FYI, Chromecast Audio will benefit from an external DAC. The better the DAC the better it'll sound. I have mine hooked to a Schiit Modi Multibit ($249) then out to a preamp and I think its sounds real good. I tried it with a friend's Ayre Codex and it sounded even better.  
mesch
3,394 posts
 
What is your budget? 
bozskaggs OP
12 posts
 
Thanks a lot everyone-
I ended up ordering the Yamaha S501. It fits the bill well and I got it for $400. I presume if I convert all my CDs to 24Bit/96kHz FLAC files I'll be well above the original CD standard which I think is just 16 bits?
mesch
3,394 posts
 
The S501 at $400 was a great purchase. When you stated that you didn't want to spend $1000 on amplification I was thinking you wanted to get well under that. I think it to be a great match with your setup, economics and sonics. 
bozskaggs OP
12 posts
 
I bought it as a refurb from Accessories4Less  who if I understand it correctly is a licensed Yamaha repair facility. Since there's nothing mechanical I have no problem with a refurb. Hopefully I'm right on this one!
loomisjohnson
1,903 posts
 
per kalali, i'd see if the internal dac in the yamaha is better than the one in your chromecast  (you can get an optical to mini converter for around two bucks)--i'd suspect the yamaha's is better but am just speculating.
bozskaggs OP
12 posts
 
The Chromecast Audio is 24Bit/96kHz whereas the Yamaha DAC is 24Bit/192kHz. There is also some setting apparently with the Chromecast for high resolution audio.
mesch
3,394 posts
 
The Yamaha DAC is likely superior to the Chromecast. It can receive files up to 24/192.  

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