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

[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.

[dvjorge]

I don't know why RGA is still trying to confuse people here. Man, Paradigm Studios are high end speakers. If you want be better informed go to the last edition of Sterephile and read the review that evaluate the Studio 60 v3. Please, don't tell anymore they aren't high end if you know perfect they are.
Jorge

[RGA]

There are lots of speakers well reviewed in Stereophile that are absolute utter crap - the difference is Paradigm doesn't give me $200,000 per year every year to keep my review magazine in business. 50+ pages of colour magazine print at about $2.00 an issue including shipping on subscriptions.

http://www.high-endaudio.com/magaz.html

Yeah you just keep taking Magazines as gospel.

[dvjorge]

RGA, Iam really tired of this type of discussion. Iam not fan of Paradigm as you are of some brands. I only want to be just. For you Paradigm Studio aren't high end speakers but for most people they are. I am absolutely sure that Paradigm Studios are better speakers than the AN you advertise. If you think high end means silk domes and paper cones, you better save money to get a new set of ears if you can find who can implant them. I know there are better and more expensive speakers than the Studios but most of them are overpriced like many B&Ws. Pushing your own taste and fanaticism with some brands become this forum undesired.
Jorge

[RGA]

I don't push Audio Note - those who see it that way well chances are are Paradigm owners. There are plenty of high end speaker makers - but until you hear them - then yes Paradigm is certainly high end when compared to JVC ghetto blasters and Ford Stock Radios or Bose.

Come to Soundhounds in Victoria and listen to those Studio 100's against the AN's - if the Paradigms were better why on earth would I have bought AN? And just because you've heard some cheap soft dome speaker - perhaps from Wharfedale - make no mistake that they sound anything like a soft dome from AN. Just as Paradigm's metal tweeter is better than the one in a $12.00 clock radio.

The term high end is meaningless - what is high end to you may very well not be to me and vice versa. There are many speakers I recommend including Paradigms - there are many spekaers I think are overpriced junk - including those from Paradigm.

And maybe before you make assumptions you should go hear the competition first before you claim it isn't as good. Going to different forums and there is much more talk on much better speakers - and you will see that I'm not one guy who happens to own Audio Note or Snell original speakers.

There are lots of other companies making better speakers than Paradigm - the fact you haven't heard ANY of them is your problem.

[Pat D]

QUOTE=RGA]I don't push Audio Note - those who see it that way well chances are are Paradigm owners. There are plenty of high end speaker makers - but until you hear them - then yes Paradigm is certainly high end when compared to JVC ghetto blasters and Ford Stock Radios or Bose.

Come to Soundhounds in Victoria and listen to those Studio 100's against the AN's - if the Paradigms were better why on earth would I have bought AN? And just because you've heard some cheap soft dome speaker - perhaps from Wharfedale - make no mistake that they sound anything like a soft dome from AN. Just as Paradigm's metal tweeter is better than the one in a $12.00 clock radio.

The term high end is meaningless - what is high end to you may very well not be to me and vice versa. There are many speakers I recommend including Paradigms - there are many spekaers I think are overpriced junk - including those from Paradigm.

And maybe before you make assumptions you should go hear the competition first before you claim it isn't as good. Going to different forums and there is much more talk on much better speakers - and you will see that I'm not one guy who happens to own Audio Note or Snell original speakers.

There are lots of other companies making better speakers than Paradigm - the fact you haven't heard ANY of them is your problem.[/QUOTE]
You NOT pushing Audio Note! GMAB!!! You scarcely miss an opportunity to do so, and also to bad mouth Paradigm, both here and at AA.

Let's face it: any speaker you don't like becomes "crap" or "junk."

[kexodusc]

funnyhat: Before you get discouraged by RGA insisting your Studio 20's need "fixing", consider what he's trying to tell you.

I own the Studio 20 v.2's as well. I've performed dozens of experiments with amplification through those speakers and my Studio 40's. With a better amplifier, you will improve your sound. The problem is, with your budget it will only improve marginally. I power mine with an Adcom GFA-535II power amp, and sometimes a classic NAD 3020 integrated or my Rotel RA-1070 integrated. That $500 you dump into a power amp will probably give a bit better sound, but your room isn't all that big, so power isn't nearly as important to you as some here would suggest.

Your biggest benefit will come from a better front end (pre-amp section) of an integrated unit, or a new pre-amp altogether. I would suggest buying a decent, used integrated amp (or new if your hesitant to buy used equipement). NAD has several nice models, as does Rotel, Parasound, PS Audio. If you aren't using your receiver for Home Theater, sell it to recover some of your costs.

But don't expect a complete night and day difference from your receiver. Unfortunately, unless sheer, raw power and volume is desired, improvments in sound directly related to the amplification part of an audio system comes in small doses.

I've hooked up Sudgens, Brystons, Krells, and even a nice Lexicon to my Studio's. While I'll admit they do sound better in my opinion, the 5%-10% improvement comes at a very steep price. This is an area that you have to spend a ton of money on to really improve usually. Before I'd go that far, I'd wait until you're ready to upgrade your speakers. I think this is what RGA was getting at. Your at a point now were it's gonna start costing you!