Compact power amplifier advice
- Thread starter NeilK
- Start date
vacuum_tubes
pfm Member
You don't mention the speakers, the sensitivity and impedance response should be a factor when choosing an amp.
i.j.russell
pfm Member
I’m happy to recommend the Boxem. It’s the only Class D amplifier i’ve had in my system that I actually enjoyed listening to for any extended period. It’s accurate without being sterile/boring.and hopefully ian wont mind me posting this but i wonder if the boxem would be any better than the chord ??? maybe ian could comment
Boxem Arthur Purifi amplifier | audioaddicts: Everything HiFi, Music and More!
I love the orange facia. Great sound too! .audioaddictsforum.com
I purchased mine from Keith at Purite. He should have a loan unit that you could try at home.
hifinutt
hifinutt
thanks ian , cracking vfm at 1400 quid https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/boxem-arthur
Brucedgoose
pfm Member
I have two of those! (Toshiba branded, which are identical). They are nice. Not much power, tho (45wpc). I prefer the hard-to-find Peachtree Sona amp, which is also very small. Plenty of power (150 wpc). Very good sounding Class D, if you can believe that! I have two of those too!
martin clark
pinko bodger
Classic suggestion - Quad 306.
Compact, the fourth and finest iteration of Quads Current-dumping design power amps; also, really-even-handed - and it has a certain moxie to its delivery. My vote for a 'near-perfect 50w linear amp in a compact package.'
You can find a really good one for £250, and service it yourself easily - there is nothing to adjust!
At that price - worth a try, surely.
Compact, the fourth and finest iteration of Quads Current-dumping design power amps; also, really-even-handed - and it has a certain moxie to its delivery. My vote for a 'near-perfect 50w linear amp in a compact package.'
You can find a really good one for £250, and service it yourself easily - there is nothing to adjust!
At that price - worth a try, surely.
NeilK
pfm Member
@martin clark - that is a good idea! Funnily enough I have just plumbed in a 303 ...
Brucedgoose
pfm Member
In general, it seems harder to find a good compact preamp than power amp. The little Toshiba/Aurex preamps were very nice, but preamps don’t age as well as power amps do and two of those have died on me. In addition, apparently lots of people get by without any preamp at all these days, so there are just fewer of them around. I still haven’t found a reasonably priced, very good compact preamp for the bedroom, where the Sona amp fits the bill perfectly.
gustav_errata
pfm Member
Exposure XM7? I haven't tried it but I had been considering it for a while.
Brucedgoose
pfm Member
Looks nice, but the S/N and channel separation really aren’t that good, especially for the price. I’m not usually a “spec” kinda guy, but these issues might be audible, particularly in quiet environments.
Brucedgoose
pfm Member
Yes, I have a bel canto pre3 in the living room. Might wind up w/one in the bedroom as well.
hifinutt
hifinutt
brill , had all of them pre 3 , pre 3 vbs x 2 , pre 5 ,and eix pre . The pre 5 is great .one pre 3 vbs i got a sean jacobs dc3 upgrade .john stronzer is very talented
You might like to try the c5i as a pre amp in your bedroom .on ebay at 795 and make a super pre amp.although i doubt they would send to Hawaii !!
You might like to try the c5i as a pre amp in your bedroom .on ebay at 795 and make a super pre amp.although i doubt they would send to Hawaii !!
Brucedgoose
pfm Member
Very helpful! Thanks! Not crazy about my pre3s flaccid volume control but the sound is excellent!
Brucedgoose
pfm Member
Functionally the bel cantos volume control is excellent. But the “feel” is undamped, which is what I don’t like. Also would really like a balance control, which is a significant omission, in my opinion. Minimalism taken a bit too far. One reason preamps are so hard to choose.
