Near Field Amplification

MillerLiteScott
MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,564
edited May 2010 in Electronics
I currently am using this little system for my computer rig.

Sony HD radio-- Laptop--Modded Maverick D1 Tubed Pre amp/DAC--Accurian $15 amp modded as a straight amp--Modded Insignia NS B2111 speakers.

What budget amp do you think would suit me best for my nearfield listening experience. I am considering a Adcom 535 II, S-5 16 watt stereo kit, www.ClassDaudio.com CDA 224 or SDS 224 kits or any other suggestions.

I am leaning toward a Adcom 535 II which usually go for around $100 and maybe get a SqueezeBox Touch/ Duet or Apple TV and still stay @ my $400 budget.

All the other amps I am looking at are $300-$400 for the amp, case and misc. parts and pieces.

Or should I just stick with my little Accurian amp?

What are you near field amplification experiences?

Thanks,

Scott
I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
Post edited by MillerLiteScott on
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Comments

  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,650
    edited May 2010
    I'm using an LM3875 Gainclone to drive a pair of Zaph ZA5.2 monitors for my PC rig.It's clean and detailed perhaps maybe a bit on the analytical side but is dead quiet which for me is important when sitting in the nearfield.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2010
    Gainclone and upgraded crossovers.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,564
    edited May 2010
    What gainclone do you recommend and what am I looking at $ wise?

    I am a bit cheap these days.

    Thanks,

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2010
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1278427974&/Gainclone-DIY-40w-
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,564
    edited May 2010
    That is our friend Doccilantro.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,938
    edited May 2010
    A little single-ended EL84 stereo amp could be awfully nice in that application. Just sayin'...
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,486
    edited May 2010
    I think you can do much better than the Accurian. I got by with one of those for a couple years. Sounded fine, but then I upgraded to an NAD integrated and it was night and day improvement, especially in the bass dept. I ended up moving further up the NAD scale and am now quite happy with a 7175PE receiver (although I'm sure I'd be happy with one of the lower powered models as well, it just worked out that I got the more powerful one cheaper).

    Since you already have a pre, I'd say you would be good with one of the lower powered Adcom, Rotel, NAD, Proton, or similar amps. The Gainclone thing would be nice too.
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited May 2010
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    A little single-ended EL84 stereo amp could be awfully nice in that application. Just sayin'...

    or even a PP EL84 amp... might be a nice amp in that application....

    just sayin
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,938
    edited May 2010
    but of course :-)
    I was just thinkin' nearfield and a couple of Fostex extended range drivers (e.g., one of the Tekton models) would be dandy with 2 watts (SE EL84 pseudo-triode) or 4 watts (SE EL84 pentode).
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited May 2010
    nope....

    you want this little maggotbox SE 6BQ5 amp....

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Magnavox-single-ended-6BQ5-Stereo-Tube-Amplifier-/110534888233?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item19bc648b29

    and a pair of Dynaco A25s or A10s even....

    I've got my mac mini running windows xp, with a USB Creative Labs MP3+ playing iTunes and WinAmp (really kicks the lama's ****) into my Maggotbox 9302-00 PP 6BQ5 PP 13w per channel -- Pushing my Dynaco A25s (SEAS Dome Tweets).

    Man it sounds belly belly good.

    -- wayne --
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,938
    edited May 2010
    heh, I hear ye; I have an EL84pp Maggotbox stereo amp in the basement hooked to AR-3s for nearfield... even more nuts than A-25s... but it works for me.

    The old Magnavox amps, SE and PP, are surprisingly good sounding for what they are (and aren't)
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,564
    edited May 2010
    Thanks Wayne3burke I now have that on my watch list. That is something that would be fun to have, Do you know what they usually go for and how much power they have?

    I am guessing 10-15 watts?

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited May 2010
    I think the SE (single ended - one output tube per channel) is about 5-8 watts. where the push pull (two output tubes per channel) is about 10 -15.

    I've seen unmodded PP models go for anywhere from $125 - $175. If they've been modded with an on/off switch, fuse, standard speaker outs, and replacement caps -- upwards from $250 to $400 (if someone has built a wood plinth for it).

    I pulled mine from a thrift store find that cost me $30.

    good luck :)

    wayne
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,938
    edited May 2010
    SE EL84 (6BQ5) pentode mode is about 4 watts.
    PP about 12-14 watts in pentode mode (you can get a little more out of the 7189 tube, which is beefier than the EL84 and can take higher plate voltage). The "modern" Soviet-made 7189 equivalents (6p14p-ev, if memory serves) are nice tubes and not expensive.

    There is a Magnavox group at Yahoo, and plenty of info on the amps at forums like audiokarma and audioasylum.
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