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Intigrated Amp Dilemma

71.174.212.17
Posted on July 15, 2017 at 16:08:44
stereo5
Audiophile

Posts: 1355
Location: New England
Joined: June 22, 2008
 A little background:

I am currently using a Parasound Halo Integrated amp driving a pair of Golden Ear Triton 2 speakers. I noticed when getting the volume up to a really good level, the amp strains a bit and the sound gets thin. I'm talking 93-95DB although usual listening levels are around 87DB.

Very shortly, I will be moving my Golden Ear Triton 1 speakers into the system where the Triton 2 speakers resides as I am taking delivery of the new GE References in a week or two. I do not think the bigger Triton 1 speakers will be a great match with the Parasound integrated, I will probably sell the Triton 2 speakers.

Thank you!

I am thinking of buying a better sounding integrated with a bit more power and more reserve power. I would need 3 line inputs (single ended) and a built in dac. I am NOT interested in any Class D amps. I want to keep it around 5-6K new Can I be pointed in the right direction please?


"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the
most of us...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."


 

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RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 15, 2017 at 18:00:29
chocolate_lover9999@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1627
Location: South Central Coast, California
Joined: October 12, 2003
 Something seems amiss beyond the amp's power (defective speakers or the Halo?). As I'm sure you know, your speakers are rated at 91db sensitivity and 8 ohm nominal impedence. The amp is rated at 160 watts into 8 ohms. That should be more than enough "head room" or "reserve power" way beyond "93-95 db".

 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 15, 2017 at 18:49:53
stereo5
Audiophile

Posts: 1355
Location: New England
Joined: June 22, 2008
 The room is 50 by 60 with 12 foot high ceiling and 3 dormers. I am not trying to fill the room, just in the area I sit which is my desk. Let me put it this way, I definitely want to upgrade to at least 200wpc or more as I am presently using a 200wpc amp on the Triton 1 speakers in my main system which is in my downstairs living room. That area is only 16 by 18 with a 9 foot veiling and it sounds phenomenal.

I want an integrated that can compliment the strengths of the Triton 1 speakers. There is nothing wrong with the amp or speakers, it has always been like this upstairs as I have already had 3 different amps and speakers in the past 15 years.


"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the
most of us...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."


 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 15, 2017 at 19:15:55
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 I think your big problem is your room. You should consider some sort of padded room divider. I've seen them in a few very high end homes that have big rooms.

I'm not trying to count your money. But with that size room and gear you are looking at you should consider arranging some at home auditioning from local shops.

 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 15, 2017 at 20:11:24
Kingshead
Audiophile

Posts: 574
Location: Florida
Joined: September 14, 2016



Keep the Halo, purchase a power amp and use the Halo as a preamp. Better yet, buy two and biamp with the Halo, it's already set up for that with an active crossover section built in, albeit for subs meaning mono summed bass, but should work ok. Either way I feel a good dedicated power amp is your best bet.

Martin

 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 15, 2017 at 20:48:45
digepix
 If you doubled your power to 300 watts/channel you get 3db of headroom so 200 is hardly worth the effort. Go big or go home as they say.

 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 15, 2017 at 20:51:22
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 KEF used that Halo integrated at a prior audio show to drive their Blade 2, I can't see it having an issue at all with the GE. Sounds like space may be an issue, however, if you liked the Halo sound, you could go to the P5 preamp and the A21 power amp, total of $4k at MSRP.

My thoughts for a step up would be a Pass or the Bryston Cubed integrated but unfortunately no DAC.

Seems Parasound, is also at a good price point, evertything I came up with was either less money, and, ability, or, out of your budget, like the Levinson 585. Or, Class D, the Devialet is a great option there. I've heard Devialet drive $3500 Focal up to a set of Magico and have always been impressed.

You might investigate Sim Audio. T+A have them but not sure of price.

 

RE: Plinius Hartago, posted on July 15, 2017 at 23:42:12
kkak66
Audiophile

Posts: 641
Location: Florida
Joined: April 25, 2000
 NT

 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 16, 2017 at 05:13:45
fstein
Audiophile

Posts: 2994
Location: fstein
Joined: May 18, 2006
 I had a similar issue. Nearfield listening

 

Integrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 16, 2017 at 07:58:05
Inmate51
 I just looked up the Triton Two speakers, and it seems they have a self-powered low end. If this is true, maybe you just haven't got your levels set correctly, or maybe their built-in amps aren't up to the job.

:)

 

Listen at lower levels; save you hearing, posted on July 16, 2017 at 08:31:40
Feanor
Audiophile

Posts: 9836
Location: London, Ontario
Joined: June 17, 2003
Contributor
  Since: March 12, 2004
 87 dB as a "usual" listening level is extremely loud. I can't image why you would need or like to listen at that level. I rarely go as high as 80 db; my "usual" listening level is in the mid-70 dB's.


Dmitri Shostakovich

 

RE: Integrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 16, 2017 at 08:35:13
Kingshead
Audiophile

Posts: 574
Location: Florida
Joined: September 14, 2016
 Inmate51 has most likely hit the nail on the head. It's not the Halo it's the bass amp in the speaks, the Halo should have WAY more than enough to drive the upper registers to ear deafening levels without strain.

Martin

 

AGREE: Listen at lower levels; save you hearing.. It WILL matter when you go deaf., posted on July 16, 2017 at 09:43:20
3+4=5
 So yu like it loud. All the time.
One thing funny about loud. It is totally 'what you are used to'.

I normally listen at 60dB.So for me, really loud is 80dB In facct too loud to want for more than a few minutes.

My experience is, if you listen at lower levels you get used to lower levels, and they sound natural. In the same way, listening at loud levels, you get used to those, and anything less sounds dull, etc.

So yes you CAN change, just realize it will take some time to get used to lower volume levels sounding 'natural'.

 

RE: Integrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 16, 2017 at 17:36:49
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8467
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 Maybe a Rythmic F15 or a SVS 16 or a pair of either.
Gsquared

 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 16, 2017 at 18:34:07
Kingshead
Audiophile

Posts: 574
Location: Florida
Joined: September 14, 2016
 So I see some are saying you should like your music the way they do, I guess you should also like the type of music they like, the bands they like, the brand of speakers they like, etc etc, real constructive.

Martin

 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 17, 2017 at 05:06:31
digepix
 No, just a sound recommendation. As a retired audiologist I've seen many people begin to lose hearing prematurely. In most cases it was being exposed to loud noises, some like work related may not be preventable. Other like loud concerts or loud stereo playing are. Music played consistently beyond 85db and certainly 90db causes hearing loss.

No one is telling anyone what music to listen to or how loud, free will and all. Your inner ear is essentially a mechanical device, work it beyond it's capability it will begin to fail.

 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 17, 2017 at 14:36:20
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 I noticed the McIntosh integrated amps include a DAC, the MA-5200 is about $4500 with a conservative 100x2, the MA-7900 gets you 200x2 but I didn't see a price.

An interesting note on these amps, they use anautoformer at the output so the amp outputs the same power regardless of impedance. They also have a Power Guard that is trademarked and said to guarantee no clipping.

The Mac will be quite a bit different presentation from the parasound. Mac is sold online from places that will allow a return if not happy, if no dealer where you can walk-in. The Mac you should find warmer and more of a sense of rhythm an pace.

 

RE: Intigrated Amp Dilemma, posted on July 18, 2017 at 11:51:41
Caucasian Blackplate
Industry Professional

Posts: 8313
Location: Seattle
Joined: June 18, 2004
 Going from 160W into 8 Ohms to 200W into 8 Ohms will get you just under 1dB of additional headroom.

Is the room well treated?

 

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