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Hi All
I've recently bought a set of PSB Alpha B1s and need an amp to power them. This system would be in my living room adnd used for Music as well as Movies.
I've tried the NAD C316Bee - love the combination, the D3020 technically a better performer with a much cleaner sound but it seems underpowered compared to the C316Bee.
The other option is a budget AV Receiver like the Denon S500BT, since most of my sources are HDMI (Apple TV, WD TV Live etc). With a traditional stereo receiver I'd run HDMI into the TV and run optical out into a cheap DAC like a Fiio D3 then RCA into the amp. But the AV Receiver would be easier to manage on the cable front while providing some features (most of which I might not need).
I don't plan on going 5.1, would prefer to stick to 2 channels sinc e my listening space is really small as well.
Is an AV receiver a serious drop off in quality? My heart says to go with the NAD C316bee since the traditional-ness of the system and simplicity appeals to me. However my head says to go with D3020 or an AV Receiver.
What would you suggest?
P.S. my budget isn't fantastic looking at under 500 and lower if possible.
Follow Ups:
quality in the audiophile community. If you look at the upscale AVR's made by Yamaha, their pre-amp section will blow the doors off many of the expensive boutique brands in specs, sound, noise level, distortion, and performance. How do I know this? I too some blind listening tests in a speciality store and even the owners dropped their jaws. Their pre-amp sections are just that good. I compared the preamp sections of the Yamaha to Krell, Parasound and Anthem and noticed no difference in sound quality.
As long as you don't push the AVR beyond its design limits in terms of power outputs (now talking about the amp section of the AVR), they will sound just as good as dedicated amp.
I bought my daughter a pair of B1's and a Jolida FX10 for Xmas. The wife liked it so much ended up having to buy her an identical setup. The FX10 makes a really nice mate to the B1's and it's in your price range. Music Dirct sells them on-line.Sorry, read your post again and although the FX10 is a nice match to the B1's, it might not work out well as the heart of an AV system.
Edits: 09/20/14 09/20/14
Alpha B's came out in about 2002, we were dealers. I connected them to a nice system with a YBA CDP and NAD silver series pre and the matching 200WPC silver series amp.
We cranked the shit out of the B's and they took it. I was and am still very impressed. Definitely one of my favorite small inexpensive speakers.
ET
My brother in law has of each of these (pictured).He's had it for 3 or 4 years and it sounds very good with his Paradigm Reference 20's.
I believe it goes for $599 factory direct from Outlaw.
Michael Fremer (Stereophile) did a really Comprehensive review on it 4 or 5 years ago.
........I was a vegetarian for 15 minutes... until the main course.
Edits: 09/17/14 09/17/14
For the life of me I don't know why I never ordered one?????
Keep buying other things and never got the Outlaw. One of my many mistakes in audio.
charles
Great pic!
HT and biamp
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