What amp for Paradigm Studio 20 v.2's? Help!

[funnyhat]

Thanks for the tip on the Rotel, any suggestions on a preamp to go with it? Also, in terms of integrated amps, any thoughts on the Creek 4330, NAD C352 or 372? Thanks.

[anamorphic96]

I own the C352 and it sounds great with my Studio 40's. Great bass weight and authority with good control. Mids and highs are warm and detailed with no glare. The C72 would probably only be needed for very large rooms and has a very similar sound to the C352 I also like Creek but the 4330 is not in production anymore and would need to be bought used.

I would go with the matching pre amp for the Rotel which is the RC1070. Great combo. Very nice write up over at Enjoy The Music.com.

Any of the equipment listed her is going to make those Paradigms sing. If I had to pick the best of the bunch here it would be the C352. It offers tremendous bang for the buck and flexibility to boot.

Its also What HiFi's amplifier of the year. (Review is at NAD website.) There review pretty much sums up this amp to a T.

But it all comes down to what YOUR EARS like. By any of these products with confidence.

Cheers,
Glenn

[RGA]

What is it that you are displeased with right now. I am no fan of receivers but are inexpensive integrateds going to make a huge improvement? Perhaps not so much to spend the cash. Preamps are more important for sound quality so adding a power amp while important not so much for your speakers I believe.

I'd look at your source - speaker positioning room acoustics. Certainly a better amp will help but I would look at used higher end amps - Sugden, Naim etc. And I would also consider avoiding the amp trap mode and look at high end speaker makers.

[NickWH]

I am no fan of receivers but are inexpensive integrateds going to make a huge improvement?

An improvement over a Yamaha receiver for music? Absolutely. Apparently you don't believe in the benefits of quality amplification anymore. Unless it is tube-based, of course.

And I would also consider avoiding the amp trap mode and look at high end speaker makers.

HAHA! RGA has coined a new audiophile syndrome. BTW, what he means to say is just buy Audio Note speakers and all your problems will be solved.

I would recommend an integrated amp/cd player combo from any of the budget brands: Arcam, Rotel, NAD, Cambridge Audio, etc. Plugin any component/brand scenario previously listed and your sound qaulity will be improved 100%. And it will still be cheaper than new "high end speakers."

[funnyhat]

I don't mind the sound of the speakers with the Yamaha, but know it isn't the same as when I was shopping for them and heard them thru integrated or separates. I figured a good amp of either of those types would at least make a difference, but don't have a lot of cash to throw around. On my budget (around 500), what is my best bet? Thanks.

[NickWH]

Well, Rome wasn't built in a day. Your audio purchases won't end with this $500. So plan ahead and purchase accordingly. Your source is pretty bad, the receiver will be a limiting factor with the new source. Nobody knows what you are looking to improve like you do. So figure out if an amp or a new source will make the most difference in your situation. All we can do is make suggestions.

Like I said before, you can do a new integrated amp/cdp combo for as little as $700. If you can't swing that now, buy one component now and save up for the other one. Or, look at the used market (audiogon.com) and look for a great deal(s) and buy everything in one shot. But don't just throw money at the problem.

[anamorphic96]

With only 500 go for the NAD C320BEE for 399.00. It can accomodate and amp upgrade in the future if needed. You wont be disapointed.

Cheers,
Glenn

[RGA]

I personally would not go with the NAD 320 Bee based of what I heard it was a major dissapointment.

I believe in quality amplification and I already said I'm not a fan of receivers - I own a Marantz 4300. The problem is that spending $500.00 on a new integrated amp is going to net relatively small improvements - yes a Cambridge Audio or a NAD 352 or a Rotel RA1 I would take over similarly priced Receivers - but if you are looking for a major improvement none of these are it.

i recommend these integrated amps to people who have NO SYSTEM at all and are looking to build a 2 channel system - but if you already have a receiver and from one of the better reciever makers - which Yamaha is, then no I would rather see you jump into an amp that's going to make major steps forward - NAIM or Sugden, Bryston (not the new Arcam's).

Yes Rome was not built in a day but I still think i would prefer going for the biggest upgrade I can initially. If the Yamaha can add on a power amp then this route may be a good one - but the Paradigm is not tough to drive - Paradigm IMO was buot for people who intend to use receivers and intend to use the speaker primarily for home theater. They are relatively easy to drive.

My Sugden amp is around 65 watts and can easily drive the Paradigms. Buying a better amp will help but buying better speakers will help more - and yes it's true that I'm not a huge fan of Paradigm loudspeakers. Still buying amplifiers to fix em ain't the solution.

I would recommend a better front end(amp cd player turntable) for better speakers - System synergy is the key - throwing guesswork amps to fix the problem with the speakers isn't desirable to me.