Doing it right! Proper amp to power SDA 2As.

[ROHfan]

After listening to my new acquisition (and addiction) every day for over a week I'm realizing that I need a good quality external amp. But, which one?

I'm powering them now with my HK3490 and they sound amazing--at loud volumes. I'm thinking a quality amp will let me enjoy their beauty at all volumes. After some research and reading around these forums I'm thinking the Emotiva XPA-2. It's a little expensive for me but if I sell my Monitor 10s and my HK3490 I'll be a little closer, then I can check between the sofa cushions for the rest. I don't want to "settle" for a lesser amp only to realize I should have went the full nine with a quality unit right off the bat. In the long run, I think, it will actually be more cost efficient that way. Wish I had figured that out when I started in this hobby!

Any other amps I should be looking at? Is one the "be-all-end-all" over the other amps?

[Msabot1]

Check out the McIntosh line for your main source! Don't know what your budget is,but they make some fine stuff!

[tophatjohnny]

I have the Parasound HCA 1200II making my 1B's sound pretty darn good??

[deronb1]

You will need a pre-amp as well then. There is a nice combo of an Arcam Alpha 9 pre with remote and a Parasound HC1500 on sale here on the forum. 600.00 for both pieces shipped I think. Will sound better than the Emo IMHO.

[ROHfan]

You will need a pre-amp as well then. There is a nice combo of an Arcam Alpha 9 pre with remote and a Parasound HC1500 on sale here on the forum. 600.00 for both pieces shipped I think. Will sound better than the Emo IMHO.

Well, here's the thing...they're pulling double duty in my HT rig as well so I already have a pre in my avr. If I had a dedicated room for a 2ch rig I would be all over that.

[ROHfan]

Check out the McIntosh line for your main source! Don't know what your budget is,but they make some fine stuff!

Out of my budget. Wife would never approve such a thing!

[bored184]

I just hooked up a Carver TFM-25 to my SDA-1C's and I am really liking how they sound. For a preamp I am using my Marantz 2226. I may eventually look for a matching carver preamp but at the moment the Marantz is working great.

[Msabot1]

Neat thought though!! Lots of outstanding stuff out there,just gotta check it out!

[audiocr381ve]

Welcome to the rabbit hole.

Here's my advice. Find a nice integrated. It's a hell of a lot easier than looking for the right pre to mate with your new amp, and you'll NEED a solid pre for your new amp. I've tried so many different amps, including the XPA-2, and things never clicked until I decided to spend good money on a quality preamp. My first, "AH HAH" moment was when I brought an Adcom GFP-750 into my system. That's pricey though which is why I recommend finding a nice integrated with some juice. NAD has some great stuff that's budget minded, especially some of the older stuff.

[Schurkey]

Better to get a quality USED amp than to buy a "new" Communist Chinese imposter.

[michael1947]

I think Emotiva amps have their place, I use a XPA-5 in my main HT rig, however I am swapping it out for a Parasound 5250 very soon, the Parasound is sitting on the bench ready to go in. You don't need a lot of power to run your SDA's but you need really good power and able to go down to 4 ohms and lower. For now be content with what you have, make a plan, save some coins and before long your new combo will sing to you. Good used equipment can be far more rewarding than brand new budget stuff even if they do have pretty blue lights.

[westmassguy]

After listening to my new acquisition (and addiction) every day for over a week I'm realizing that I need a good quality external amp. But, which one?

I'm powering them now with my HK3490 and they sound amazing--at loud volumes. I'm thinking a quality amp will let me enjoy their beauty at all volumes. After some research and reading around these forums I'm thinking the Emotiva XPA-2. It's a little expensive for me but if I sell my Monitor 10s and my HK3490 I'll be a little closer, then I can check between the sofa cushions for the rest. I don't want to "settle" for a lesser amp only to realize I should have went the full nine with a quality unit right off the bat. In the long run, I think, it will actually be more cost efficient that way. Wish I had figured that out when I started in this hobby!

Any other amps I should be looking at? Is one the "be-all-end-all" over the other amps?

Whichever amp you choose, be sure it can handle the 2As 3.5 ohm load in the 100- 150Hz range

[headrott]

better to get a quality used amp than to buy a "new" communist chinese imposter.

Yep.

Please do not settle for an Emotiva amp. It won't put you at the point you say you would like to be at. You will wish you bought something better if you buy the Emotiva (something you yourself said you wanted to avoid). Buy a used Pass Labs Aleph 30, Parasound, or similar quality amp and be happy.