atothex Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 OK, so I'm trying to build a stereo system from scratch for the gf. So far, I managed to find a pair of used Maggie MG10s, but I still need a dac and amp for an htpc as source. And probably a sub, but I'll save that for later. I'm trying to shoot for 100W to 250W rms, which is what the manual says I should do. I want to keep the budget tight, as she's no audiophile; when I'm not there, they're most likely not going to play music. I'm shooting for under $700 used for the dac/amp. I've managed to come up with a few budget ideas: - vintage Adcom based system with maybe the 600 dac, 555 amp, and some kinda pre - Outlaw's RR2150 - old NAD integrated plus a dac? I really don't know what to look for as far as these go... Or should I just go for a newer HT receiver for an all-in-one solution? I can't imagine it'd sound as good as stuff that's made purely for audio, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duggeh Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 An Emotiva UPA-2 is $300 new for 125watts 8 ohms and 185 4 ohms. That leaves $400 for your DAC of choice. Or you could bi-amp wih two of them and get a cheaper DAC (not a beresford). Given how much Maggies like real power behind them moar power and a cheaper DAC might will be more satisfactory than less power and moar DAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atothex Posted January 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 I thought about Emotiva, but I can't find that UPA-2 for sale right now. And can it really be better than something similarly priced but designed by Nelson Pass (80s Adcom) or John Curl (90s Parasound)? Am I putting too much into name recognition? Man I hate power amps without volume control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 Or should I just go for a newer HT receiver for an all-in-one solution? I can't imagine it'd sound as good as stuff that's made purely for audio, though.You certainly can do better, but I'd still recommend this. I've been eyeballing Onkyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swt61 Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 I second the dual Emotiva UPA-2s. Emotiva Audio UPA-2 Two Channel Power Amplifier And there is level adjustment on back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duggeh Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 A power amp without volume control is a power amp. A power amp with volume control woul dbe an integrated amp no? You could get the Emotiva pre/power combo of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atothex Posted January 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 Oh I didn't see that level adjustment there. A very awkward way to adjust volume, though. I don't think she'd want to have to give it ye olde reacharound each time... Anyways, it looks like it's OOS at the moment. Also, Emotiva's preamp is $400 by itself. Guess I'll try to Gon/ebay/CL some used stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atothex Posted January 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 As I'm having trouble sourcing the Emotiva stuff, I'm leaning heavily towards this: Outlaw Audio Reviews are strong, although the USB DAC part seems iffy. Still, it pretty much does everything and with lots of power. Anyone heard it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atothex Posted March 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 OK, I never did find one of those Emotivas... I saw like one on the gon, but the dude didn't reply. Anyways, I got an Adcom GFA-555II locally: 325W into 4 Ohms... could probably do worse for the price I guess. Sigh now I need a cheap pre... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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