putting together list for new system components, feedback on amps I’m looking at

[JR Williams]

I haven’t bought anything yet, I’m still assembling the list of speakers and components to buy. I’m either getting 1961 bookshelves + a 1961 center or 1961 monitors + 1961 center. I’m going to get a Yammy RX-A6A for my AVR. But I’d like to get something dedicated for 2 channel audio listening. I have a Leak CDT on my list, but don’t know which of their amps to get.  I know the Leak Stereo 230 is a lot more powerful, but how would the 130 perform at moderate volumes? The 130s only 65w at 4ohms and I know the 1961s can use power. I don’t want to underdo it, but I also don’t want to spend $500 more on the 230 unless it would make a really big difference for 2 channel listening.

 

Thanks.

[Kurt_from_Belgium]

Hey Neil, best thing would be to buy all four and a/b/c/d them at home in my room driving the Arendals 1723S😁

When streaming music from Tidal on the Yamaha or on my headphones there is a considerable difference in quality, dynamics and volume between newly released music and some earlier recordings, so I guess I would be needing a neutral amp like the Hegel for new releases and a NAD for lower quality recordings. I’m afraid my wife wouldn’t accept this though 😬

I guess the quest for audio nirvana is part of the fun of this hobby but at one point, we’ll have to be happy with what we have.

Have you reached that point with the Hegel190/Arendal combination?

[neil-h]

Hi Kurt

It really would be good to have all 4 at one time but all that money out would not go well with the Mrs. She is extremely supportive of my hobby, no complaints.

In my experience, your brain doesn’t really remember from day to day, especially weeks apart, all the  sounds and what you think you heard from other equipment. You really do need them to A/B. For most of us, this is not financially possible. I would say, try them out, one at a time and you may be surprised at the differences you hear. I tried a Marantz Model 30, class D. It just wasn’t to my liking. It had very powerful base but I just couldn’t get it dialed in. It was sent back. Not knocking class D, just wasn’t for me. It seemed to “add” base, just my opinion. This is the reason I like “neutral” amps. I want to hear what’s there, not anymore. More of a purist you might say. There are huge differences in recording quality as well. Adele has a voice I really like, but her recording quality makes me shake my head. She could do so much better.

 

For reference, I’m 63, listen mostly to instrumental music, modern jazz and New Age and still a CD man. See if you can find this song, “Hot Milk” on the CD or streaming from “Monty meets Sly and Robbie”. It was on Telarc Jazz. The Hegel does an absolute beautiful job with this. The type of music may not be what you like, but is the kind that helps deciding on equipment. By the way, aside from the Hegel, Marantz CD player and Arendal 1723 Monitors, I have been using an older SVS sb-13 Ultra subwoofer. This is all said just so you have a reference as to where I’m coming from. Please keep me updated, no matter what you choose.

 

 

[arkmann]

I agree with Neil it’s best to buy a receiver from a manufacturer or dealer where you can return it for no or little money.  Find listening to equipment in your room is the best way to tell if you’re getting the sound you want.  Let us know what you decide to do.  Good luck!