Small Amplifier for Minimalist SB Setup

[thejohnnyk]

After looking at Skunks's setup this thread:

http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19817

I got the crazy idea of doing a minimalist setup for my squeezebox in my living room, with a tiny integrated amplifier. I LOVE my Squeezebox so much that I pretty much only like to listen to internet radio and my mp3s through my stereo. No home theater, no TV. I love Skunk's setup with the small tube amp, but I cannot go tubes because I listen to alot of electronic music with deep bass. (It looks SOOOO good though) I probably would want my Squeezebox on an end table in the living room with a tiny amp on the shelf underneath (or even on top if it was small enough). I could also get a very small component rack. I need to power a pair of fairly efficient 94db Klipsch towers, so it has to have some guts but not alot. The Klipsch are a little bright, so I would like something decent quality. Any suggestions?

[JJZolx]

Couple of ideas:

NuForce IA-7
http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/nuforce_ia7_e.html
http://nuforce.com/products-intamps.htm

Flying Mole CA-S10
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/flyingmole_cas10.htm
http://www.flyingmole.co.jp/en/pdf/product/cas10_e.pdf

Audio Analogue Primo Settanta
http://www.audioanalogue.net/eng/primoamp.php

[Skunk]

Thanks for the comments!

I too realized TV is a waste of time after getting the Sb3, so it's gone now. The speakers still swivel though )

I still use the Jolida 102b as well, and over half my listening is electronic stuff with very deep bass. It has a subwoofer out which I take advantage of, but the bass is surprisingly good with speakers like yours as well. If you were coming from a receiver you would 'be like Wow'. Tubes are great with horns too, which I assume your speakers have.

Tubes can be a PITA though. The jolida sounded a lot better when I put NOS RCA black plates from the 60's in there. That's disturbing to me.

If you enjoy minimalism, that can be transferred to circuit design and amp aesthetics as well, e.g. 47Labs or the gainclones that pop up on audiogon/ebay. Even the sonic impact t-amp sounds great, so if you see a cheap one snatch it up on principle, the principle being that your speakers are effecient enough to be powered by it. Here's the sonic impact in my system (god rest it's soul): http://forums.slimdevices.com/showpo...83&postcount=9

[jhm731]

TacT S2150:

http://www.tactlab.com/webshop/

[thejohnnyk]

Skunk, now you have me interested. I don't want to drop a great deal of cash on this. I love music and I play guitar. I like good sound, but I'm not going to spend more than $1000 on an integrated amp. I would rather use the cash to go out, have a few drinks, and see some live music, you know?

If the tube amp could get me deep bass, like deep enough for SOMA FM stuff, I would love to have it. I would get the JD 102b. It's the right size and the right price. Plus, I would love to look at the tubes. You know I have them in my guitar amplifier, because it's the only way. Your setup just looks good to me. Talk me into it. How deep can it get? My speakers go down to around 35 hz and I drive them with a solid state 65 watt Denon. I never turned it up past 12 o' clock and usually keep it at 9, using the squeezbox for the volume. Do you think I could make it with the tubes? The horns on these Klipsch definitely need a little softening up. I think tubes would give me that, or else I would go with that Primo Settanta.

Please give me the low down on the JD 102B.

[Skunk]

I like good sound, but I'm not going to spend more than $1000 on an integrated amp.

If it were me $500 would be my budget, and I would save for better speakers. People around here usually suggest spending more on the speakers than the amp. I bought the jolida w/ sub out used for exactly that much shipped.

If the tube amp could get me deep bass, like deep enough for SOMA FM stuff, I would love to have it.

Much better would be for others to chime in re: amps with good bass. I really don't have enough experience comparing decent SS to tubes. The jolida might get you down to where you want but unless the room/speakers are working great together you probably need a sub.

I would get the JD 102b. It's the right size and the right price. Plus, I would love to look at the tubes.

You should listen around to it and some others before making up your mind. There are probably a ton of hifi's between Philly and NY. Even Jolida is in NY, which is a plus for service, even though it's a Chinese amp (no offense). Check out http://www.audioclassics.com for used stuff, and seriously consider taking a road trip there as there is much to drool over (including guitars).

You know I have them in my guitar amplifier, because it's the only way.

Yeah but do recording engineers use them to monitor the mix? I've seen self-powered speakers with tubes but never studio monitors. Just food for thought :-)

Talk me into it.

I'd rather talk you into using FLAC or another lossless compression format for future and past rips. F stands for the best free upgrade you can make, in my book. If you appreciate nuances in the nether regions it's the only way to go! I don't listen to internet radio because I'm addicted to the way my FLAC's sound.

My speakers go down to around 35 hz and I drive them with a solid state 65 watt Denon. I never turned it up past 12 o' clock and usually keep it at 9, using the squeezbox for the volume. Do you think I could make it with the tubes? The horns on these Klipsch definitely need a little softening up. I think tubes would give me that, or else I would go with that Primo Settanta.

Please give me the low down on the JD 102B.

I think the jolida would be plenty loud for you. It may be hard to believe but your time of day settings will probably stay about the same.

[USAudio]

http://www.psaudio.com/products/trio_c100.asp

[wdrazek]

I look forward to learning more about that one. It was announced at CES and looks sweet.

[gobikey]

try the Super T Amp. ... even if just as an inexpensive test.

i have a Krell 400xi and a few other "lesser" amps, and i really don't hear *as much* difference between the Super-T and Krell as i do between the other amps and the Krell. i have a system with an SB3 with the Super T, and it's very listenable. i sometimes switch from my $12k system to this for comparison, and i really enjoy both setups. http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/audio/6cd8/

[thejohnnyk]

If it were me $500 would be my budget, and I would save for better speakers. People around here usually suggest spending more on the speakers than the amp. I bought the jolida w/ sub out used for exactly that much shipped.

Skunk, I could not agree with you more, $500 or less would be even better. I should be able to get something decent-sounding for that. Maybe I should have stated a lower price limit. I have been looking at better speakers, but mine do sound pretty good, and I will have to spend quite a bit to top them.

Much better would be for others to chime in re: amps with good bass. I really don't have enough experience comparing decent SS to tubes. The jolida might get you down to where you want but unless the room/speakers are working great together you probably need a sub.

Although the Jolida may have good enough bass, I am assuming that solid state will give me better bass for the money. I don't think I need amps with good bass, just not an amp that has a reputation for weak bass. I am also considering a sub. How does the crossover thing work with the Jolida, doesn't it just have a line level out? Couldn't I just use the crossover on the sub and skip the optional sub out on the amp?

You should listen around to it and some others before making up your mind. There are probably a ton of hifi's between Philly and NY. Even Jolida is in NY, which is a plus for service, even though it's a Chinese amp (no offense). Check out http://www.audioclassics.com for used stuff, and seriously consider taking a road trip there as there is much to drool over (including guitars).

I called Jolida and chatted with very nice guy for about 15 minutes. He said there was only one dealer in my area, and I went there. They did not have the 102B. The guy said that they had one once, but it had NO BASS, discouraging me from buying one. I listened to the 302B, which I felt had enough bass for me, but it was over $1000.

Yeah but do recording engineers use them to monitor the mix? I've seen self-powered speakers with tubes but never studio monitors. Just food for thought :-)

My comment was to indicate that I have experience with tubes. If you are implying that I think they are more accurate, I must have misled you. I know that solid state is more accurate, cheaper, more reliable, and has better bass. I like how the tubes smooth the sound out, as my speakers are on the bright side and my hearing is sensitive to pronounced upper-mid frequencies.

I'd rather talk you into using FLAC or another lossless compression format for future and past rips. F stands for the best free upgrade you can make, in my book. If you appreciate nuances in the nether regions it's the only way to go! I don't listen to internet radio because I'm addicted to the way my FLAC's sound.

I use FLAC! It sounds just fine.

I think the jolida would be plenty loud for you. It may be hard to believe but your time of day settings will probably stay about the same.

Thanks for reassuring me. I feel that I don't need any more power than that either, and turning it up any louder will only damage my hearing anyway.

Skunk, I really appreciate the comments. Overall, how do you like you setup with the Jolida, does it sound good or are you looking to upgrade?