Amplifier for an existing setup

[sesharavind]

Hello everyone
I have the following setup and using as a 2 channel stereo setup for audio and connected as 2.1 for TV viewing.

1. Indiq Audio diamond achals floor standing speakers
2. matching Indiq centre
3. Denon X2800H AVR
4. Norge concerto gold amplifier
5. Fiio BTA 30 Pro

I want to upgrade the amplifier part alone now and have the following questions. target is to improve audio. can manage up to 2.50-3 L as budget

1. should I go for class A/B or Class A from sound quality perspective - I mainly listen to Indian music
2. whats the main perceptible difference in both these classes?
3. any special arrangement to be done at home if I go with class A?
4. recommendations for both these classes

thanks in advance
Aravind

 

[vinothkumar]

Hello everyone
I have the following setup and using as a 2 channel stereo setup for audio and connected as 2.1 for TV viewing.

1. Indiq Audio diamond achals floor standing speakers
2. matching Indiq centre
3. Denon X2800H AVR
4. Norge concerto gold amplifier
5. Fiio BTA 30 Pro

I want to upgrade the amplifier part alone now and have the following questions. target is to improve audio. can manage up to 2.50-3 L as budget

1. should I go for class A/B or Class A from sound quality perspective - I mainly listen to Indian music
2. whats the main perceptible difference in both these classes?
3. any special arrangement to be done at home if I go with class A?
4. recommendations for both these classes

thanks in advance
Aravind

Chennai city has quiet a lot of stereophiles, visit them and listen to their systems.
This will surely give a lot of clarity on what you want and how much you to spend.

 

[sesharavind]

thanks for the response sir. can you please help to share your valuable inputs on 1,2 and 3?

 

[girishtd8262]

Since you are from Chennai .why don't you audition torwin audio.they have v good power amp at affordable prices.last week I met them.v good line up they have

 

[square_wave]

Audio dynamics in Bengaluru deals in Leema acoustics now. Not exactly sure if the models fit in your budget but you should check. I highly recommend their amplifiers.

 

[vinothkumar]

thanks for the response sir. can you please help to share your valuable inputs on 1,2 and 3

Before I suggest anything to your queries, I recommend demo room visits in Chennai.
Try these places, they all have a variety of brands for different price points.

https://www.theaudiopeople.net/

AV Lounge

AV Lounge Is The Indian Distributor For NAT Audio,Chario, Ayon Audio, Convergent Audio Technology(CAT), Audia Flight, Rosso Fiorentino, Kuzma, Nottingham Analogue Studio, Remton Audio, Xavian, Rockna Audio, Audiobyte, EMT, ZYX , MJ Acoustics, Rothwell Audio, Analysis Plus & Purist Audio Design

avlounge.in

Decibel, a Leader in Home Entertainment Solutions | Decibel - the art of sound | Home Theatre, Hi-Fi, Custom Installation, High End Audio, Multi Zone Installers Chennai, India

Welcome To Decibel, a Leader in Home Entertainment Solutions | Decibel - the art of sound | Home Theatre, Hi-Fi, Custom Installation, High End Audio, Multi Zone Installers Chennai, India

www.decibel.co.in

Welcome to Cinema Focus - Join the audio revolution

Discover a world of premium audio solutions. Explore our range of speakers, amplifiers, and more. Elevate your audio experience with Cinema Focus.

www.cinemafocus.in

You will get a fair idea of the brands and amps here in the showrooms.

On a lighter note, the class AB integrated amp is more than enough for your recommendation, pure class A does not come cheap and you need relatively easier driver speakers in general, there are exceptions with some brands with higher class A watts.

 

[sesharavind]

Thanks all. I would like to ascertain whether I need a class A Or AB. Whats the criteria to decide that? Assuming I can afford a class A that is...

 

[vinothkumar]

Before I suggest anything to your queries, I recommend demo room visits in Chennai.
Try these places, they all have a variety of brands for different price points.

https://www.theaudiopeople.net/

AV Lounge

AV Lounge Is The Indian Distributor For NAT Audio,Chario, Ayon Audio, Convergent Audio Technology(CAT), Audia Flight, Rosso Fiorentino, Kuzma, Nottingham Analogue Studio, Remton Audio, Xavian, Rockna Audio, Audiobyte, EMT, ZYX , MJ Acoustics, Rothwell Audio, Analysis Plus & Purist Audio Design

avlounge.in

Decibel, a Leader in Home Entertainment Solutions | Decibel - the art of sound | Home Theatre, Hi-Fi, Custom Installation, High End Audio, Multi Zone Installers Chennai, India

Welcome To Decibel, a Leader in Home Entertainment Solutions | Decibel - the art of sound | Home Theatre, Hi-Fi, Custom Installation, High End Audio, Multi Zone Installers Chennai, India

www.decibel.co.in

Welcome to Cinema Focus - Join the audio revolution

Discover a world of premium audio solutions. Explore our range of speakers, amplifiers, and more. Elevate your audio experience with Cinema Focus.

www.cinemafocus.in

You will get a fair idea of the brands and amps here in the showrooms.

On a lighter note, the class AB integrated amp is more than enough for your recommendation, pure class A does not come cheap and you need relatively easier driver speakers in general, there are exceptions with some brands with higher class A watts.

Apologies for the typos.
Recommendations - > requirements
Easier driver - > easy to drive

 

[bhooshaniyer]

Why do you need an amplifier upgrade and that at 2.5 to 3.0 lacs range? How did you come to this requirement?

 

[Yelamanchili manohar]

Hello everyone
I have the following setup and using as a 2 channel stereo setup for audio and connected as 2.1 for TV viewing.

1. Indiq Audio diamond achals floor standing speakers
2. matching Indiq centre
3. Denon X2800H AVR
4. Norge concerto gold amplifier
5. Fiio BTA 30 Pro

I want to upgrade the amplifier part alone now and have the following questions. target is to improve audio. can manage up to 2.50-3 L as budget

1. should I go for class A/B or Class A from sound quality perspective - I mainly listen to Indian music
2. whats the main perceptible difference in both these classes?
3. any special arrangement to be done at home if I go with class A?
4. recommendations for both these classes

thanks in advance
Aravind

Hi Arvind

Since the question also included any special arrangements, thought I'd chip in with my personal experience with Class A amps. I live in a flat, and have a tiny room to myself. My rooms original eletrcial limit was 10 Amps. And I didnt have a issue with many amps I've had here in the past. But when I got a Krell 100 w class A power amp, upon switching on the amp, the rooms fuse to blow. So I had to replace the original 10A fuse with a 13A one. Not sure if the internal wiring running inside the walls, can support a larger power draw. So your rooms wiring and breaker limit might need to be considered if you are considering class A amps.

By the way, the above krell amp had a contant draw of about 350W, even at idle. And thats a lot of current being wasted. If I was starting today, I would go with a class D power amp from likes of purifi eigentakt, and add a preamp to flavor...could be tubed or soild state

 

[Phew]

P

Why do you need an amplifier upgrade and that at 2.5 to 3.0 lacs range? How did you come to this requirement?

Got his passbook updated maybe

 

[Rajatphile]

Hello everyone
I have the following setup and using as a 2 channel stereo setup for audio and connected as 2.1 for TV viewing.

1. Indiq Audio diamond achals floor standing speakers
2. matching Indiq centre
3. Denon X2800H AVR
4. Norge concerto gold amplifier
5. Fiio BTA 30 Pro

I want to upgrade the amplifier part alone now and have the following questions. target is to improve audio. can manage up to 2.50-3 L as budget

1. should I go for class A/B or Class A from sound quality perspective - I mainly listen to Indian music
2. whats the main perceptible difference in both these classes?
3. any special arrangement to be done at home if I go with class A?
4. recommendations for both these classes

thanks in advance
Aravind

Just my 2 cents:

1) If sound quality is of utmost importance at any cost then go with Class A else Class AB. As people have suggested, audition before taking any decision.
2) To my ears A sounds smooth, warm and slightly recessed
3) A's run hot be it tube or transistors, so they need very good ventilation. Since you are in Chennai, so you will have to make special arrangement
4) The only place I could do both A and AB together was indiqaudio. To me they both sounded very nice with their achals. Class A sounded much more smooth and relaxed with slightly recessed sound stage. On the other hand their newly launched balanced AB sounded very dynamic, better separation, wider soundstage and slightly forwarded sound stage. Amplifier and speaker pairing is very important, so either audition the combination at indiqaudio or request for home demo before deciding on any other brand from your local dealer. 2.5 - 3L is a very good budget, so spend wisely!

 

[Amarendra]

Hi Arvind

Since the question also included any special arrangements, thought I'd chip in with my personal experience with Class A amps. I live in a flat, and have a tiny room to myself. My rooms original eletrcial limit was 10 Amps. And I didnt have a issue with many amps I've had here in the past. But when I got a Krell 100 w class A power amp, upon switching on the amp, the rooms fuse to blow. So I had to replace the original 10A fuse with a 13A one. Not sure if the internal wiring running inside the walls, can support a larger power draw. So your rooms wiring and breaker limit might need to be considered if you are considering class A amps.

By the way, the above krell amp had a contant draw of about 350W, even at idle. And thats a lot of current being wasted. If I was starting today, I would go with a class D power amp from likes of purifi eigentakt, and add a preamp to flavor...could be tubed or soild state

350 W at idle ?

 

[Amarendra]

Hello everyone
I have the following setup and using as a 2 channel stereo setup for audio and connected as 2.1 for TV viewing.

1. Indiq Audio diamond achals floor standing speakers
2. matching Indiq centre
3. Denon X2800H AVR
4. Norge concerto gold amplifier
5. Fiio BTA 30 Pro

I want to upgrade the amplifier part alone now and have the following questions. target is to improve audio. can manage up to 2.50-3 L as budget

1. should I go for class A/B or Class A from sound quality perspective - I mainly listen to Indian music
2. whats the main perceptible difference in both these classes?
3. any special arrangement to be done at home if I go with class A?
4. recommendations for both these classes

thanks in advance
Aravind

Please match speakers with amp- both on price and sound compatibility wise. If you spend 3 lakhs on amp you will soon feel that speakers are not keeping up or the speakers are not doing justice to amp etc.

 

[square_wave]

Thanks all. I would like to ascertain whether I need a class A Or AB. Whats the criteria to decide that? Assuming I can afford a class A that is...

I've had the pleasure of using various types of amplifiers, including Class A, Class AB, and SET amps, with different speakers. Right now, I'm enjoying a Class AB amp that delivers a buttery smooth sound while keeping all the details and resolution intact.

The debate between Class AB, Class A, and SET amps is quite nuanced and depends heavily on the setup. The key factor for most setups is finding the best match between the amp and speaker, considering room interaction, speaker placement, and the room's acoustic quality. Once you get all these elements right, a Class A amp might sound slightly smoother and better. I emphasize "might" because the speaker-amp match is crucial here. Example, A difficult to drive speaker with an impedance dip at lower frequencies connected to a low power Class A amp will definitely sound anaemic and weak compared to a more competent Class AB.

Don't stress too much about the Class A conundrum. Just find the best-sounding amp that matches your speakers and sound preferences within your budget.

 

[sidvee]

I've had the pleasure of using various types of amplifiers, including Class A, Class AB, and SET amps, with different speakers. Right now, I'm enjoying a Class AB amp that delivers a buttery smooth sound while keeping all the details and resolution intact.

The debate between Class AB, Class A, and SET amps is quite nuanced and depends heavily on the setup. The key factor for most setups is finding the best match between the amp and speaker, considering room interaction, speaker placement, and the room's acoustic quality. Once you get all these elements right, a Class A amp might sound slightly smoother and better. I emphasize "might" because the speaker-amp match is crucial here. Example, A difficult to drive speaker with an impedance dip at lower frequencies connected to a low power Class A amp will definitely sound anaemic and weak compared to a more competent Class AB.

Don't stress too much about the Class A conundrum. Just find the best-sounding amp that matches your speakers and sound preferences within your budget.

I concur - the days where Class A was the best has long gone. Many other options are available and lower cost and more importantly lower weight/size and lower heat. If any one is making a blanket statement that class A is best, is quite misinformed in the current amplifier scenario. Many class A/B amps., will output first few watts (which will be sufficient for 95% of listeners) in class A, and those will be more than enough for the Class A folks, unless one is driving 1 ohm sensitivity speakers.
Cheers,
Sid