The best AMP?

Tommy B · 3 Apr 2006 at 12:05

Can anyone reccomend an amp that has the following:

Awesome Quality
Remote Controlled
Optical Input (/output)

Looking at the NAD range; they any good?

Cheers

james.miller · 3 Apr 2006 at 12:08

arent many 2 channel amps with optical input. Dont know of any off the top of my head, anyway.

Tommy B · 3 Apr 2006 at 12:16

james.miller said:
arent many 2 channel amps with optical input. Dont know of any off the top of my head, anyway.

Well what would be the best way of connecting my X-fi to the amp?

james.miller · 3 Apr 2006 at 12:19

well, analogue lol

seriously, you need to start with your budget. what is it? what do you listen to? what features do you need? multi room? tone controls/no tone controls?

Tommy B · 3 Apr 2006 at 12:44

james.miller said:
well, analogue lol

seriously, you need to start with your budget. what is it? what do you listen to? what features do you need? multi room? tone controls/no tone controls?

I just bought an X-fi, so I guess I could spend upto £250. The card should be here tomorrow, and If my current AMP (10-15 years old) is really good quality, then I won't bother...

However, If that isn't the case I will buy a new one. I am obsessed with music, and listen to it pretty much the entire time I spend in my room whilst doing work, browsing forums etc.

LadFromWales · 3 Apr 2006 at 13:06

You could probably find yourself a pretty good 2nd hand Pioneer AV receiver in your local catalogue overflow shop or whatever, or on the bay.

You mention that you've just bought an X-Fi, did you get the Xtreme Music, or one of the premium models with a bay? The Xtreme Music does not have an optical output as standard, so you'll be stuck for optical there.

Since it sounds like your only looking for a stereo receiver, analog from the X-Fi could perhaps be fine with your current amp. Wait for your X-Fi to arrive, and see how it sounds with what you have now, before going down the road of upgrading your amp and/or speakers.

The AV receiver market is complex, with many different makes and models to choose from, and the same goes for speakers. Prices range from £50 to over a grand just for the receiver...

squiffy · 3 Apr 2006 at 13:45

If this is primarily 2 channel, just buy a good quality stereo pre-amplifier and 2 channel pre-amplifier. For example second hand Audiolab 8000Q and Audiolab 8000SX poweramps. That'll cost more than £250, but you could pick up the 8000Q for £250 if you're lucky, and use existing poweramps. But for £250 you're looking at NAD or Rotel range, or perhaps higher end gear being sold off second hand/ex-demo. Visit local Hi-Fi shops.

tom_nieto · 3 Apr 2006 at 15:15

The improved pre-amp and general quality of a dedicated stereo amp will imo negate any real benefit that a digital connection would have had using an AV amp, especially using a decent soundcard.

See how your current amp sounds and then decide. Definitely look into another second hand stereo amp. I bought a cyrus 3 a while ago from ebay. You should be able to pick up a good one for £150-200 and they sound rather nice. They're getting on a bit, but have the more modern shape cyrus casing and sound brilliant.

Tommy B · 3 Apr 2006 at 16:07

OK. I'll wait untill I get the X-fi and listen to how my current setup sounds.

I've ordered the gadget for the X-fi that splits the digital out jack into Optical IN/OUT and Coaxial IN/OUT

Tommy B · 3 Apr 2006 at 16:24

Can someone please delete this thread otherwise I'm going to get confused keeping track of this and the "potential advice setup" thread.

Cheers