I have a power amp.. what else do I need?

nightrider1470

nightrider1470

nightrider1470

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25 May 2011
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I have a decent Arcam power amp.

I'm looking to add something so I can Bluetooth my music to it then send on to the power amp for 2.0 music in my lounge.

As I don't need any inputs at all, can I cheaply get away with just a DAC to cut the cost down... Money is tight at the minute, so looking for a decent cheap option

Thanks :)
 
You need a pre-amp, basically it's a volume control. They also have inputs. A DAC does not have pre-amp.

I don't rate Arcam pre-amps that highly, but if you want a Arcam pre-amp then something like the Arcam Alpha 9C would be matching- if yours is a Arcam alpha power ampliifer.

I'm using Audiolab 8000Q, with a Tag Mclaren DAC20.
 
hornetstinger said:
I'm using Audiolab 8000Q, with a Tag Mclaren DAC20.
Click to expand...

Nice, I'm using an 8000S with the same DAC and a CD20R, then a couple of Tag 5x100R power amps.

Back on topic:

If you've got a power amp then a pre-amp would be required with something to go from Bluetooth to pre-amp. An easy solution to this could be an AV amp of some sort, quite a few going cheap on eBay with various media capabilities such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi & USB. Dependant on audio quality (I'm not really a fan of the Arcam stuff) you may be able to then sell on the power-amp to recover some of the cost.
 
Thanks for that!

My power amp is actually a marantz!! Sorry!

Should I look to partner with a marantz then?... Do you rate marantz?

AV amp seems to cover all bases! But there so huge!! Just to use 2 RCA preouts
 
No you don't need a marantz pre-amp. But you might want to match for aesthic reasons, or for gain matching between the two.

You can mix and match pre and power amplifiers no problem. In AV this is very common, as many power amplifier makers don't produce av pre-amplifiers. Or pre-amplifiers make power amplifiers but other power amplifiers makes could be superior (and or better value)
 
The fact I need Bluetooth and internet connection for tidal, it's looking like I might be best going for a AV receiver, would you agree?

Can AV receivers do decent stereo via preouts?

I only want to spend a max £200 so I'm not expecting miracles.

:)
 
Generally stereo pre-amps offer superior sound quality. However AVR's offer HDMI switching, have DAC's, offer bass management and subwoofer integration, networking and smart features like network & internet music streaming
 
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