How bad an idea is a new Amp or Integrate before deciding on Speakers?

Shadowfax

Shadowfax

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I know generally the ROT is to choose the speakers you like/want, then find the right amp to drive them.

My main amp just went and I have been planning to downsize/upgrade at some point anyway. I had hoped to do Amp and Speakers at the same time but need to rethink my strategy.

I am looking for an Integrated below $8k and hopefully closer to or under $5K (Going to start a new thread for that trailing the one from bluegrassphile). I suppose I need to decide on a few things right away which are

SS or Tube ( I like both)
Power output watts

Those two things will drive the speaker selection but also limit my choices if I get super critical.

What are your thoughts on this approach?
 
I get the 'total synergy' thing but IMO speakers first. With that being said when choosing your speakers, consideration with respect to the room / acoustical environment to which they will reside is just as important as your amp selection.
 
i bought my integrated amp first and then upgraded speakers a few years later... quite happy with where my system ended up. so, things seem to have worked out well.

i got an integrated SET amp - which i would have gotten regardless of the sequencing. when it came time to upgrade speakers the only constraint i had was speaker efficiency consistent with the 18 wpc of the amp.

so, i don't really think the sequencing matters much as long as you have a general idea of where you want your system to end up before getting the first piece.

...just my $0.02
 
In a perfect approach I would say, speakers first then amp. That said currently, no amp means no music.
Could you possibly borrow an amp or find a cheap used amp you could resell to have music for now?
 
brad225 said:
In a perfect approach I would say, speakers first then amp. That said currently, no amp means no music.
Could you possibly borrow an amp or find a cheap used amp you could resell to have music for now?
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I had to move my secondary amp out of a system for now. Running an Odyssey Stratos Plus, lots of power and bass, but lacking in finesse and detail and mids on up. So I am not music-less, but in a position to buy a new unit.
 
VAC Sigma 160i integrated amps are available used around 5K-ish, sound fantastic, can be fitted with a killer phono stage (if you're into vinyl), and seem to work extremely well with a wide variety of speakers when I've heard it over the years (Tannoys, Focals, even Magico S1). So you won't be boxing yourself into a narrow window of suitable speakers.
 
mulveling said:
VAC Sigma 160i integrated amps are available used around 5K-ish, sound fantastic, can be fitted with a killer phono stage (if you're into vinyl), and seem to work extremely well with a wide variety of speakers when I've heard it over the years (Tannoys, Focals, even Magico S1). So you won't be boxing yourself into a narrow window of suitable speakers.
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Since I have loved my old VAC pre amp for the last 10 years, VAC is on my list and I was just looking at the 160s used yesterday. What I have yet to calculate is the cost to replace all the tubes when needed. I do love the sound of Tubes but also may want the convenience of good SS.

Thanks
 
Amp first is not a terrible idea, but I’ve been out of sync buying gear over the years as well. You just need to be cognizant about the future combo. It’s a little more difficult but not impossible.

Can’t wait to see what you decide.
 
I did amp then speakers. Started by being mesmerized by the sound of SETs, finally buying one (a pair of Cary 2A3 Signature Monoblocks used around 2000) and then finding a pair of speakers efficient enough to play at 3.5watts a channel. They were Avantgarde Duos (103 db efficient) that I found used locally around 2002. Still have amp and speakers today.

Larry
 
I don't think there's a wrong way. If you buy the amp first there are certainly enough brands of speakers you will find something to match well.

Now that I think back I pretty much did things amp first. Like you now, I usually had some type of system and just looked to upgrade.

There's no rules, you just roll with it baby, LOL
 
Mr Peabody said:
I don't think there's a wrong way. If you buy the amp first there are certainly enough brands of speakers you will find something to match well.

Now that I think back I pretty much did things amp first. Like you now, I usually had some type of system and just looked to upgrade.

There's no rules, you just roll with it baby, LOL
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There are unwritten rules, but more so IMO in line what your saying there’s not a wrong way per se, but missteps can cost you more time and money down the road


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
The unwritten rule that cost me the most is buying something without hearing it first. I know better but broke the rule in an attempt to save money and it hardly ever worked out well.

Then sometimes, more often than not, just a change anywhere in the chain causes a domino effect :)

UltraFast69 said:
There are unwritten rules, but more so IMO in line what your saying there’s not a wrong way per se, but missteps can cost you more time and money down the road


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
 
Mr Peabody said:
The unwritten rule that cost me the most is buying something without hearing it first.
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I hadn’t heard any of my current gear before I bought it. However, I did spend at least a year reading reviews and web sites regarding the item and/or manufacturer. I have to say I have never been happier with my stereo.
 
You got lucky, however, going with Pass and Magico it would be hard not to like it :)

A recent example, just for fun, I bought that nAD M50.2, I read reviews, compared features etc. and it seemed to be the one, did everything I wanted. I should have at least bought online where I could return but to save a couple hundred I bought local, special order, so no return. The unit didn't sound terrible but I used to have a Levinson #512 SACD player, my components have to at least be satisfying. I knew I couldn't live with the sound of the M50.2. The ACS10 is several times better than the $2k difference. I blame the entire thing on John Atkins review who indicated he couldn't hear a significant difference between the M50.2, his Aurender and some other even more expensive streamer.

I suspect maybe less risk with going with what you know is a good amp but even them you could be surprised.

BlueFox said:
I hadn’t heard any of my current gear before I bought it. However, I did spend at least a year reading reviews and web sites regarding the item and/or manufacturer. I have to say I have never been happier with my stereo.
Click to expand...
 
i think amp first is ok if your eyes are open as to the speaker type you are intending to purchase, and the space it's expected to command. in other words, you have a basic feel for how your amp choices might work with speakers on your list of choices. mostly common sense stuff and basic understandings of speaker and amp specs.

the one caveat is tonal balance, some amps too close to the bright edge are not going to work with a speaker with a 'hot' tweeter. not too common these days with the better choices but there is gear out there that push the tonal extremes.

this approach does violate the basic rules of system building.

1--room/speaker relationship rules.
2--amp must then be able to control the speaker.

get those 2 right and everything else will fall into place.

but it's workable.
 
BlueFox said:
I hadn’t heard any of my current gear before I bought it. However, I did spend at least a year reading reviews and web sites regarding the item and/or manufacturer. I have to say I have never been happier with my stereo.
Click to expand...


I hope things go as well with me. Been researching pretty intensely since March. So far I have speakers (Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary models), stands, and cables/connects. Now I'm studying amps. I will get to audition those live this coming October. Just an amp and streaming stuff and I'm all set. I know the journey is really fun. But I can't wait to hear those first notes come out of the Harbeths.
 
A little off topic, but is it a possibility to get a cheapo receiver or some sort for your Harbeths to get you by until January?
 
kzhtoo said:
A little off topic, but is it a possibility to get a cheapo receiver or some sort for your Harbeths to get you by until January?
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Not really. We'll be spending extra cash for a trip to Suncoast Audio in October. Plus, since we are taking money out of our pension to purchase the new audio system we've divided the distributions into two separate withdrawals...one this year, one next, to save on taxes. I've already made the first withdrawal (for this year) and purchased my Harbeth speakers, stands, cables, and connects.

But my birthday is in January and I'll be able to make the second and final withdrawal to purchase my amp and streaming gear.....nice birthday present, huh? The wait is a bit difficult but it gives me more time to research amps. I've changed my mind a few times since beginning my search last March. So it's a good thing I didn't make my purchase earlier. I've begun to narrow my focus on potential amps and when I audition my tentative choices I'll make a final choice with at least some confidence I'd done everything I could to assure my pick was the best one.
 
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