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Power amplifier advice?

I am thinking about buying a power amplifier. I want something with about 200 W per channel into 8 Ohms, in the price range up to about $2500. The models that are currently at the top of my shortlist are Rotel Rb-1582 MkII, Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2, and Schiit Wotan.

It is not possible for me to listen to these side by side, so I must base my decision on specs, reviews, and recommendations.

If anyone has experience of these amplifiers, I am eager to hear about their impressions and views.

My current speakers are a pair of old NHT 2.5, which are said to be quite power hungry, and a bit bright. I will probably upgrade speakers later, but I want to hear the NHT:s with a more powerful amp first. My current amplifier is an old HK6850 integrated, with 85 W per channel. My DAC (Denafrips Aress II) lacks volume control, so if I buy a separate power amp I will also need a preamp, but that is a later issue.

I mostly listen to hard rock and heavy metal, and I like to be able to crank it up so that I can hear the music while doing chores in the kitchen (no room for speakers there).

Regards,
Kaj

kaj
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,620 posts
 

Well I might as well chime in to. With a smaller budget I highly recommend some ACTIVE speakers, like a pair of KEF LS50W (originals have a dedicated USB audio input) the new LS50 W II's do not include this anymore.  Put them on some nice stands and all you need is a source! No equipment,cables, power cords, equipment rack...Plus the really nice thing about a fine pair of active speakers is that they all ready have dual mono 230wpc amps built in!  Plus dual DAC's and a plethora of Inputs for any source including a set of AUX and SUB out. These cost around $2500 NEW. and the Originals are even a better deal used imo. 

Matt M

 

Key Specifications (KEF LS50 Wireless - Original)
  • Driver Array: 12th Gen Uni-Q with 1" vented aluminum dome (HF) and 5.25" magnesium/aluminum alloy cone (LF).
  • Amplifier Power (per speaker): 230W Total (200W Class D for LF, 30W Class AB for HF).
  • Frequency Response (±3dB):
    .
  • Max SPL:
    .
  • Inputs: Wi-Fi (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 aptX, USB Type B, TOSLINK Optical, RCA Analog.
  • Outputs: Subwoofer output.
  • Dimensions (HWD): 300 x 200 x 308 mm (11.8 x 7.9 x 12.1 in.).
  • Weight: Left: 10.0kg (22.0lbs); Right: 10.2kg (22.5lbs).
  • Streaming Support: Tidal, Spotify Connect, Roon. 
llg98ljk's avatar
llg98ljk
324 posts
 

No amp is ever "overkill" in the sense that it will overwhelm your speakers. Better to have too much power loafing along, cool and clean than too little, clipping and frying your speakers.

ntpc4
44 posts
 

I recently sold my NHT 3.3s (1998 models) and the Rotel RB-1090 (2006 model) that I used to drive them. Knowing the NHT speakers pretty well, if I had to buy an amp to power some 2.5s, I would get a Buckeye Hypex NCx500 for $1150 (coincidentally, the same price I sold my Rotel for), hide it out of sight, and call it done, with $1000+ still in my pocket. Enjoy!

devinplombier
1,651 posts
 

@llg98ljk wrote:

No amp is ever "overkill" in the sense that it will overwhelm your speakers. Better to have too much power loafing along, cool and clean than too little, clipping and frying your speakers.

Yes, exactly.

Also, an inadequate amp should have the good grace to fry itself, not the speakers. It’s not the speakers’ fault if the amp can’t cut it.

 

yyzsantabarbara
5,555 posts
 

I think I owned the Parasound A21+ (not the A21). I liked that amp a lot and it got me buying and selling a lot of amp brands.

The Parasound A21+ is thicker on top than say the Schiit Wotan. Both are equally powerful. Given the brighter edge of the NHT 2.5 the Parsound maybe even a better match than the Wotan. Though I would get the Wotan on a home trial to check out the hype.

 

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