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Matching an amp to speakers for beginners?

I've been unhappy with the sound I've heard out of all the store bought systems, so I'm looking into higher end stuff. I've been spending the past couple weeks browsing around here and other places on and off to try to figure out what I can pick up that I would be more satisfied with.

Originally, I just wanted to pick up some better speakers and hook them up to my Yamaha receiver, but I've since been convinced that if I get nice speakers they will be wasted if I use my receiver. So now I'm looking for an amp.

After reading a bit, I've realized that all this stuff is a lot more complicated than I originally thought it would be. I'm hoping someone here can help me out with some basic information.

Assuming I pick up some nice speakers, what do I look for when trying to find an amp to run them off of? I'd prefer an integrated amp just for less complexity. Can someone help me out with someone basic guidelines when looking at the speaker and amp's specs what I should be looking for?

Thanks for any help you can provide.
petequad

Showing 2 responses by artizen65

artizen65's avatar
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artizen65
272 posts
 
It's hard to come up with a response with such good advise.

Definatly audition all the speakers you can. Remember one thing that you are listening to a whole system the speakers the electronics and the cables. Be prepared to go with the whole system you listen to, to select the speakers you want or you may be doing alot of experimenting when you get your speakers home. Which by the way is the fun part.

At your price point make sure your dealer will let you audition your electronics at home with your speakers. Some integrated amps have a pre bypass switch so you can take the front out of your HT setup and use the integrated as a amp only for the front.

Happy experimenting

Rember to take the system as a whole.
artizen65's avatar
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artizen65
272 posts
 
PeteQuad,

Ok I will be the first to take the plung. (Pete be warned mentioning the following speakers in certain circles is taboo)

For floor standers I would go one of two routes first a used pair of B&W CDM9NT's ($2600.00 new, they are discontinued) with an execelent pair of speaker cables. I think they are capable of giving you what you are looking for at a modest price. For your room size they are not a large floor stander and provide good imaging for the front on HT from various sitting positions. They are execelent in the highs and mids when mated with the right electronics. They only have 6" base drivers so the punch of the sub base is somewhat lacking. They are very detailed and netural in other words what you put in is what you will get out. Some would say they are a little forward in the mids.

The second is the B&W Nautilus 803 ($5000.00 new) The only thing I can say is give them a listen. My experience is limited to B&W, DynAudio and Sonus Faber.
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