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Beginner Audiophile. How to chose a right amp? Recommendation for my setup?

Hi

I am new to the world of audio and looking for an enjoyable stereo setup for myself.

I have chosen my next set of speakers, DAC, and a streamer, but can’t quite choose a power amp.

You don’t have to read this -->> "How do you pick a right amp for yourself? Do you consider Damping Factor? Do you match Tube DAC + Tube Amp? or Do you match Solid State + Tube Amp? for what reason? What sound do Soild State DAC/Amp + Tube DAC/Amp combos make? Are there characteristics in Amps? like in DACs? if so, what are they?"

Literally, there are just too many questions I want to ask. But, for now, I just want to listen to what you want to say, whatever is in your mind or any advise you would like to give as more experienced audiophiles when you pick a power amp.

I seek for the right components, ideal setups and match because I learned something from my very first set of audio gears I bought for this thanksgiving that I unfortunately returned a few days ago. The sound quality from Sonos Amp was hard to endure! The SVS Ultra bookshelf was great, but not quite so when it dealt with high notes.

So, I did my research this time and found my next set of audio gears.

1. Monitor Audio Gold 100 5G speaker
2. MHDT Lab Orchid DAC
3. MiniDSP SHD Ultra streamer

What I focused on during the research was to pick gears that can produce wide sound stage, great 3d imaging, airy voices, and great details with smooth yet realistic sounds.

But, I don’t have a clue how to choose a right power amp.

I can just pick a internet recommended under $ 1K power amp and be done with it. Maybe I can still be okay. But, I don’t want to just buy something without knowing anything to go through a return process again. I’d rather at least learn some basics before buying a music component, even if I end up returning something. Because I know now that I can be pretty picky on stereo sounds.

So...

Please comment anything you want to add.

Recommend me some used/new power amps + deals (under 1K ish), if you have anything in mind.

Direct me to the right direction.

Thanks.

K





yggy1

Showing 3 responses by georgehifi

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
gotog
I think you are rolling the dice with the Muzishare X7
. There have been many replies to both your posts that have pointed out that the Monitor Audio Gold 100 is more difficult to drive than it may appear.  
+1
The OP should go back and read my first post again.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
One positive is that these figures are not in the bass region.
Yes the bass is where all the power is needed, but it doesn’t matter, it still taxes the amps, look what happens to many amps that try to drive ML’s esl 1ohm at HF, they sound distant and muted or if unstable, can oscillate, at worst blow.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
talkskiwon OP
Beginner Audiophile. How to chose a right amp? Recommendation for my setup?

These two figures below of the Monitor Audio Gold 100 are within 1/2 an octave of each other and indicates the "need of an amp that is going to be very comfortable and not break a sweat seeing a 2ohm load".

Impedance  2.7ohm @ 3.5kHz
Negative phase –64° @ 2.4kHz

And at 84db the amp to be 100w or more amp also.

Cheers George   
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