AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Receivers, Amps, and Processors › Budget Stereo Amp, integrated or power, for 4-ohm speakers
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Budget Stereo Amp, integrated or power, for 4-ohm speakers

post #1 of 8
1/28/13 at 4:02pm
Thread Starter 
Hey,

Here is yet another thread about stereo amps. I hate to ask but here it goes:

I'm looking for something to drive my new pair of front speakers. Their nominal impedance is 4-ohm. I don't need anything HDMI fancy stuff. Just something that will help me drive anything I use as front left/ right. I'm hoping for something with more than 100w per channel continuous through 8-ohm.

- no need for optical input
- really stable driving 4-ohm
- no crossovers needed
- new or used doesn't matter. must be enough for next 2-3 years

I was thinking about HK 3490 (new or used), NAD C326bee used (though less than 100w) etc.

What would you suggest? Other brands/models welcome. Budget - $250-$300.

Thanks in advance.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 8
1/28/13 at 8:17pm
I would be inclined to go with the HK 3490. You'll save some money and it has plenty of power.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 8
1/29/13 at 10:39am
Thread Starter 
From sound quality point of view, is NAD better or HK?

Also, no other suggestions like Emotiva UPA-200 or Rotel Power amps?
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 8
1/29/13 at 9:35pm
NAD SQ is excellent. However, with the HK you will get excellent SQ for less money. You will need a pre-amp with a power amp of course. Do you have one available or have you increased your budget? Also, the UPA-200 and Rotel are well outside your budget of $250-300 unless you get lucky with a used deal.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 8
1/29/13 at 10:03pm
Thread Starter 
No, I have not increased my budget.

On the other thing... I'm little confused about the components in audio system. As in what comes after what, which component can be skipped etc. E.g. I was thinking about using Dragonfly dac with those power amps using mini-jack to dual RCA cable. But I guess I need to put a pre-amp in there somewhere. I don't know for sure.

Time to find some good material to read!
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 8
1/30/13 at 8:34am
Thread Starter 
Apologies for the double post but used Emotiva UPA-2 is available for $250 + shipping. So, it's within budget.

Any opinions anyone?
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 8
1/30/13 at 3:22pm
Emotiva is well regarded around here.

I am loving my upa-500 that I bought last month.

Emotiva amps come with a 5 year transferable warranty. They stand behind their products.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 8
1/30/13 at 7:50pm
You will need a source with a volume control or an analog/digital pre-amp to go with the UPA-200. A used Emotiva USP-1 (analog pre-amp with tons of connectivity and even bass management) or XDA-1 (digital preamp/DAC). You don't necessarily have to go with the same brand pre-amp. Another option would be the Parasound Zpre2 (very simple pre-amp with 4 audio inputs and tone controls, $299 for a refurbished unit). Or you could go with something from TCC, www.phonopreamps.com for a lot cheaper.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Receivers, Amps, and Processors

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Receivers, Amps, and Processors › Budget Stereo Amp, integrated or power, for 4-ohm speakers