RamblinE
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So here's the system as it stands. Desktop bedroom system consisting of sources: Technics SL-D2, Ortofon 2M Red and ART DJ Phono Pre II for analog. Spotify Premium and Audioengine D1 DAC for digital. A Headroom Micro Amp drives my headphones, selects my inputs and acts as a preamp. A Topping TP21 is the power amp. Hafler M5 Reference Monitors sit on my desk with an Infinity PS10 250watt sub underneath tuned to blend in. I split the signal right at the Micro Amp's line level output. Split one way to the sub and the other way to the Topping.
The problem: I've been listening to speakers more and more lately and at higher volumes I feel that the sound is getting very congested. It loses some separation and dynamics and seems to jumble together.
The theory: Is my Topping TP21 hitting a wall in how much power it can put out before the legendary T-Amp THD kicks in? Could that be what I'm experiencing as congestion?
The part where I ask for your opinions: I want to try a budget amp with more power. Something that won't take much skin off my back to buy. Something I can put away and keep as a backup unit in the future after I've purchased a real upgrade. The two candidates are the Audiosource Amp 100 and the Dayton Audio APA 150. These two units have much more power than my Topping. Toroidal power supplies. Inputs and pass through circuits. Small footprints. Starting prices under $200. PE's asking price for the Dayton is perfectly acceptable. B&H offers the Amp 100 for about the same as PE offers the Dayton. I've had the Amp 100 in the past so for me its a known quantity. The Dayton on the other hand is not however it does make a little more power and could serve a future purpose as a subwoofer amplifier what with its built in crossover.
So what would you guys go with? Who has experience with either unit or even both units? I know Celt had one for a while so I'd be interested in your feedback. I know your homebrew speakers are a little demanding. My Hafler M5s are 6 ohm but don't require any amplifier gymnastics that I'm aware of.
I'm interested in hearing some input
Sent from my ZTE Olympia
The problem: I've been listening to speakers more and more lately and at higher volumes I feel that the sound is getting very congested. It loses some separation and dynamics and seems to jumble together.
The theory: Is my Topping TP21 hitting a wall in how much power it can put out before the legendary T-Amp THD kicks in? Could that be what I'm experiencing as congestion?
The part where I ask for your opinions: I want to try a budget amp with more power. Something that won't take much skin off my back to buy. Something I can put away and keep as a backup unit in the future after I've purchased a real upgrade. The two candidates are the Audiosource Amp 100 and the Dayton Audio APA 150. These two units have much more power than my Topping. Toroidal power supplies. Inputs and pass through circuits. Small footprints. Starting prices under $200. PE's asking price for the Dayton is perfectly acceptable. B&H offers the Amp 100 for about the same as PE offers the Dayton. I've had the Amp 100 in the past so for me its a known quantity. The Dayton on the other hand is not however it does make a little more power and could serve a future purpose as a subwoofer amplifier what with its built in crossover.
So what would you guys go with? Who has experience with either unit or even both units? I know Celt had one for a while so I'd be interested in your feedback. I know your homebrew speakers are a little demanding. My Hafler M5s are 6 ohm but don't require any amplifier gymnastics that I'm aware of.
I'm interested in hearing some input
Sent from my ZTE Olympia