Next Step

factorz
factorz Posts: 353
edited March 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
I am currently powering my fully modded SDA-1C Studio's with a Denon DRA-397 (80W) and was wondering if moving to something like the Outlaw Audio RR2150 (100W) would be much of a improvement? I know you can use the Denon unit as a preamp so should I just look to go to a separate amp? If that is the case then what is a good unit within the 500-600 range that can give me at least 200W per speaker which is what I read is recommend for the 1C's. Thanks for looking.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2013
    IF the Denon has pre-outs so you can use it as a preamp, then your best bang for the dollar is to with an external amp.

    You can stretch your dollar more by going used - and for a solid state amp you can find a good used deal for your budget. Used SS amps are not as risky buying used as a used mechanical audio component.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2013
    factorz wrote: »
    ...what is a good unit within the 500-600 range that can give me at least 200W per speaker which is what I read is recommend for the 1C's....

    Parasound HCA-1500. Do that, enjoy the benefit, then get a dedicated 2-channel pre. :)
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • mjcmt
    mjcmt Posts: 44
    edited February 2013
    I had the predecessor Denon 395 which has the same amp section as the 397 and thought the sound was very mid-fi. I don't imaginge the preamp section is much better than the amp section. I easily improved on it with something else. The Outlaw gets good reviews, so for the upgrade.
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  • factorz
    factorz Posts: 353
    edited March 2013
    Ok so after playing with the placement of my 1C's I am pretty happy with the 397 and have decided that I will keep it in the system for now. So I have decided that my next step should be one of following. Let me know what your thoughts are.

    1. Use the 397 as a preamp and buy a separate amp.
    2. Use the 395 for preamp and amp duties and add a DAC-it. I currently use the internal DAC on the squeezebox.
    3. Upgrade my TT. My vinyl collection keeps growing and I'm currently using a cheap Sony. Most likely move to something like Rega P1 or Pro-ject Carbon.
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  • michaeljhsda2
    michaeljhsda2 Posts: 2,186
    edited March 2013
    :idea:Buy a tube amp :cheesygrin:
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's
    Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
    Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
    SDA 2B TL's
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  • factorz
    factorz Posts: 353
    edited March 2013
    What kind of power requirements would I need for the 1C. Most of my choices were in the $400-$600 range and I'm wondering if it's possible to find something tube wise with this kind of budget.
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  • michaeljhsda2
    michaeljhsda2 Posts: 2,186
    edited March 2013
    factorz wrote: »
    What kind of power requirements would I need for the 1C. Most of my choices were in the $400-$600 range and I'm wondering if it's possible to find something tube wise with this kind of budget.

    Most definitely. 50 watts of tube power is plenty for the 1C's. The Yaqin MS-20L is rated at 50 wpc and it's a really good bang for the buck integrated. If you buy from Tabnaac in Canada via Ebay it will cost about 615.00 including shipping to your door in about 3 to 4 days. I run my SDA 1C's and SDA SRS 1.2 TL's with it and it sounds great. Plenty of power no doubt.
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's
    Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
    Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
    SDA 2B TL's
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