Spec Me an Amp

yhack · 5 Feb 2012 at 18:33

So I'm thinking about buying some Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s and I would need an amp to go with them.

I've seen some Cambridge Audio A1 amps going for around £60 second hand, would this power them nicely? If not, what kind of amp should I be looking at, and what kind of price? I don't know much/anything about amps.

I'm not after something expensive with loads of features.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Paul

lucid · 5 Feb 2012 at 20:54

Diamond 9.1s are a nominal 6Ω load and 86dB sensitivity. That's about average for small bookshelf speakers, so the amp doesn't have to be madly powerful to drive them.

If you're looking at second-hand then keep your eye open for the Cambridge Audio A1 mkIII SE. This one had a better power supply and some uprated circuitry for a better sound.

Also consider amps by Rotel, NAD and Creek as good budget Hi-Fi alternatives.

yhack · 5 Feb 2012 at 21:12

lucid said:
Diamond 9.1s are a nominal 6Ω load and 86dB sensitivity. That's about average for small bookshelf speakers, so the amp doesn't have to be madly powerful to drive them.

If you're looking at second-hand then keep your eye open for the Cambridge Audio A1 mkIII SE. This one had a better power supply and some uprated circuitry for a better sound.

Also consider amps by Rotel, NAD and Creek as good budget Hi-Fi alternatives.

Thanks, I will have a look.

Would a Cambridge Audio A5 be better than the Cambridge Audio A1 mkIII SE? If so, would it be noticeably better?

lucid · 5 Feb 2012 at 22:19

There are too many variables to be definite... You have more power which should mean better control over the speakers and greater ability for dynamics (transient swings) which comes from more horsepower under the bonnet. Will you hear more detail, better timing, greater musicality?.... TBH, that's more about the rest of your set up and the source and the room than just one component.