What low-cost amps are available for driving Polk SDA speakers?

jtkorb
jtkorb Posts: 10
in Vintage Speakers
As I mentioned in another post, I have a pair of Polk SDA-2A speakers and am looking to integrate them with a Sonos system. I now understand that the Sonos Connect Amp won't work (Sonos confirms that they are not common ground amps), so I'm looking for alternatives.

One recommendation is the Dayens Ampino. Looks nice, but at $560, is at the high end of what I was hoping to spend. Any recommendations in the under $500 price range?
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Best Answers

  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    Answer ✓
    Should be able to find a used Parasound, Adcom or B&K in the $300-$500 range.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • slbenz
    slbenz Posts: 97
    Answer ✓
    I would also recommend Parasound amps as well. Or one by Emotiva. On a lark, I experimented with my son's Amphony microFidelity Model 200 Class-T amp to drive my SDA 2Bs. I was surprised that this little $70 T-amp, with only 40 watts per channel using a wall wart for its power supply, was able to drive my 2Bs. If I were to use this little amp, it would be for background music only. Comparing it to a full size amp would be no comparison but this little T-amp no bigger than a deck of cards was fine enough for background music needs and was able to produce low bass in quantity.
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Answers

  • jtkorb
    jtkorb Posts: 10
    Thanks. I'll look at those and compare to the Ampino.
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  • jtkorb
    jtkorb Posts: 10
    I don't know how to weigh the importance of "watts en masse" vs. other specs. I've heard that the Polks require current more than power (watts), but am not sure how to make the trade-off judgement. The Ampinos are rather low wattage compared to the others (and about comparable to the Sonos Connect Amp).
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  • gp4jesus
    gp4jesus Posts: 1,987
    I'll have a couple of Hafler XL-280 FS sale soon
    Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga - LCR mids, inside* & out 8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out *soldered LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & “Plugged*” Mids - 981, connected w/MP Premiere ICs Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s *Xschop's handy work
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    It seems like you're asking about an integrated amp or receiver, not an amplifier?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    Parasound, B&k, are your best bets in that price range. Sonos connect amp is too weak to drive those SDA's, plus they don't sound all that good.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • jtkorb
    jtkorb Posts: 10
    Thanks for all of your replies and suggestions! Guess I should have posted this as a "discussion" rather than a "question". :smile:
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  • sfosselman
    sfosselman Posts: 184
    I use an Emotiva XPA-2 to drive my 1C's and it sounds amazing! Plenty of power and I have cash over for mods :wink:
    Polk SDA 1C Upgraded, Eastern Electric Minimax Supreme DAC, Parasound HCA 1200ii, Belles 21a Preamp, Rotel RSX-1056, Matricom G Box Q, Blue Jean & Signal Cable interconnects, Sonographe SG-3 TT, Panamax M4300-PM
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  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,897
    edited November 2015
    There is a Parasound HCA-1500 in the FS section, $400.00 plus shipping and PayPal. Good opportunity, excellent price and match to your Sda's. Although your post count may be an issue, not sure up to seller.
    Post edited by motorhead43026 on
    The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

    It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.
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  • Rex81
    Rex81 Posts: 193
    I drive my SDA 2Bs through an Emotiva XDA-2 DAC/preamp connected to a Crown XLS 1500. I'm very happy with the results. You can send the Sonus right into the XDA and bypass its onboard DAC for better sound quality.

    Never have to worry about getting the SDAs enough power because the Crown puts 525 wpc into 4 ohms. Stable down to 2 ohms. And I love the XDA-2 because it can connect fully balanced XLRs into the Crown.

    Oh yeah, and the whole setup cost $400, brand new, shipped to my door. Both are on closeout right now. The XDA-2 is half off from Emotiva.com at $199, and the Crown is like 75% off from Amazon.com for $199.

    And yes, the Crown is a digital amp. And yes, it sounds great.
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  • Rex81
    Rex81 Posts: 193
    Nope. Michigan.
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