just bought SDA SRS 1.2

[lbristow]

finally got my pair of 1.2's:D Now I am looking into the equipment to run them with Pre-amps,4ohms,6ohms,Bi-amping,Bridge(I do not know what this even means)Two thousand different types of speaker wireHell, before I just bought a receiver and a EQ and let it fly. All I really want to do is bi-amp them, and have a good receiver. I like NAD, but need a little input as to what needs to go with what. What does a pre-amp do for me? From what I can tell it is a receiver without a tunerThe frequency response of the 1.2's is 10hz-26khz. Do I need a amp that will cover thisThe human ear can not even hear part of this range. Surely this can not be this complicated

[leroyjr1]

What kind of budget do you have in mind? There's a ton of knowledge throughout this little Utopia. There's many different kinds of pre amps some have a built in tuner and some don't. A pre amp doesn't have a power output so with a pre amp you'll also need a external amplifier.

Welcome to the forum!!!

[lbristow]

well, I am looking for pure low distortion power. I do not plan on listening to the radio, I have thousands of songs on the laptop and will use this. As far a budget, I do not have any problems with paying for good equipment, but some of this stuff is overkillI do not have any problems hooking the equipment up, but I have little knowledge of Ohms, and if they need to match up, meaning the 1.2's are 6ohm, does my equipment need to cover that or does most equipment already handle that resistanceThat type of thing. My top requirements would be that I have a very low distortion high output of power, and a receiver or pre-amp to control it with(must have remote for the volume):D

[F1nut]

You will need these to do those speakers justice.

Pre amp - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ube&1235189699

Amp - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-monoblocs-tas

SACD/CD Player - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....---sacd-player

Interconnects - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....meter-pair-rca

Speaker cable - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....Biwire-speaker

[leroyjr1]

You will need these to do those speakers justice.

Pre amp - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ube&1235189699

Amp - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-monoblocs-tas

SACD/CD Player - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....---sacd-player

Interconnects - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....meter-pair-rca

Speaker cable - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....Biwire-speaker

He might have to sell his house first.:)

[mmadden28]

...The frequency response of the 1.2's is 10hz-26khz. Do I need a amp that will cover thisThe human ear can not even hear part of this range. Surely this can not be this complicated

Just because the human ear can't hear it doesn't mean the body can't experience it. You should still be able to feel sub-bass even if you can't hear it. ;)

[george daniel]

Eh,, you could have at least suggested a pre with a remote:)

[F1nut]

No problem, it's $5k option.

[lbristow]

yeah, I doubt I will be spending anywhere close to that kind of money for such items. How in the world does anyone justify that kind of money for a damn interconnect Or speaker wire??????? I may spend a decent amount for a amp or two, buy the wires from Lowes, or make my own, do not need a CD player. :D And yes, need a remote for the tuner/pre-amp.

[NotaSuv]

hey now............... i have a sale pendin on that amp

Welcome to the club and stay away from my new amp ;)

[lbristow]

I am looking at a NAD C272 Amp, and a NAD C372 stereo integrated amplifier. Any reason this will not work

[ViperZ]

I am looking at a NAD C272 Amp, and a NAD C372 stereo integrated amplifier. Any reason this will not work

Not enough power to drive those beasts. Check out the 'Vintage' forum and read some discussions on what the best amplifiers are to drive the SDAs.

Most likely, for the best bang for you buck, you will be referred towards Adcom amplifiers (the likes of 545 and 555, etc.).

For the preamp, if you want just a 2-channel preamp, there are tons of them to experiment with. They all sound different.

And for everybody's sake... music on your computer (mp3?) is not something that you want to listen with SDAs. Like people already suggested, get some quality CDs, or even DVD-A and SACDs... you will hear the difference... HTH

[lbristow]

Not enough power to drive those beasts. Check out the 'Vintage' forum and read some discussions on what the best amplifiers are to drive the SDAs.

Most likely, for the best bang for you buck, you will be referred towards Adcom amplifiers (the likes of 545 and 555, etc.).

For the preamp, if you want just a 2-channel preamp, there are tons of them to experiment with. They all sound different.

And for everybody's sake... music on your computer (mp3?) is not something that you want to listen with SDAs. Like people already suggested, get some quality CDs, or even DVD-A and SACDs... you will hear the difference... HTH

The speakers are rated 50-1000 watts, so how is this not enough power and as far as music quality, it is the same as on a CD, since this is the source they came from, so I see no issue there.

[ben62670]

Watts is not the figure you want to look at. It's all about current. I am partial to Adcom's for a good cheap starter amp for 1.2s. The GFA-555 is only rated at 200wpc at 8ohms, but has the current to drive those SDA's with authority.

[snow]

Actually the NAD's would do just fine they output more than the Adcom GFA- 545 does and there stable into 2 ohms with plenty of headroom. Of course it's always nice to have the Asswhopper-2000 amp with 10 megawatts of power but for most people the NAD C272 or C372 would do just fine :) unless you live in a gym or airport hanger.



REGARDS SNOW

[lbristow]

Actually the NAD's would do just fine they output more than the Adcom GFA- 545 does and there stable into 2 ohms with plenty of headroom. Of course it's always nice to have the Asswhopper-2000 amp with 10 megawatts of power but for most people the NAD C272 or C372 would do just fine :) unless you live in a gym or airport hanger.



REGARDS SNOW

thanks for the input. I can get the C272 for $499 new, and the C372 for $799. This sounds like a pretty good deal to me. :D Just to make sure I have this correct, the C372 will work with the C272, correct??

[mmadden28]

...and as far as music quality, it is the same as on a CD, since this is the source they came from, so I see no issue there.

Depends on how you ripped the CDs. Are you using MP3's, or some form of lossless encoding?
It also depends on how you are getting the music to the rig.

[snow]

thanks for the input. I can get the C272 for $499 new, and the C372 for $799. This sounds like a pretty good deal to me. :D Just to make sure I have this correct, the C372 will work with the C272, correct??

Well if you purchase the C372 there is no need for the C272 because there both rated at the same power levels the only difference between the two is that the C372 has a preamp section versus just the amp with the C272. If I was looking to spend $1500.00 total I would buy a used Sunfire 300x2 amp and a Adcom GFP-750 preamp. If it was just the $799.00 the NAD C372 would be fine.



REGARDS SNOW

[lbristow]

Well if you purchase the C372 there is no need for the C272 because there both rated at the same power levels the only difference between the two is that the C372 has a preamp section versus just the amp with the C272. If I was looking to spend $1500.00 total I would buy a used Sunfire 300x2 amp and a Adcom GFP-750 preamp. If it was just the $799.00 the NAD C372 would be fine.



REGARDS SNOW

ok, this is where I have very little knowledge of what goes with what. So, the C372 is looking pretty good to me, so I need a amp that has a higher power rating than C372? What I would like to do is bi-amp these with the C727. If that is the case, then I would just need a pre-amp with no built in amplifier, or one with a higher output than the C372 Again, I do not know much about this, so try not to laugh too hard:D

[snow]

ok, this is where I have very little knowledge of what goes with what. So, the C372 is looking pretty good to me, so I need a amp that has a higher power rating than C372? What I would like to do is bi-amp these with the C727. If that is the case, then I would just need a pre-amp with no built in amplifier, or one with a higher output than the C372 Again, I do not know much about this, so try not to laugh too hard:D

Actually I dont feel that you need to bi amp. I think the C372 is plenty able to drive your speakers to more than comfortable levels. Both the C272 and C372 are rated at 150 honest wpc with 3db of headroom.

That being said I personally would if I had $1500.00 to spend on an amp and preamp I would buy used versus new and get a Sunfire 300x2 amp and a Adcom GFP-750 preamp. I think for $799.00 the C372 would be a decent selection and most likely you will be happy with it. But I like to look for best bang for the $$ spent and I feel that you would most likely never feel the need to upgrade with the used Sunfire and adcom combo.

The Adcom GFP-750 was a Sterophile class A rated preamp and is very difficult to best without spending thousands more and can be had for in the $750.00 range. The Sunfire 300x2 amp is a probally the best value I can think of in the $600.00 to $900.00 range. It is 300 wpc x 2 into 8 ohms 600wpc into 4ohms 1200wpc into 2 ohms and 2400wpc into 1 ohm very few amps will double down to 1 ohm without self destructing. If for some reason you ever decide to sell the SDA SRS 1.2's and purchase a pair of inefficient speakers like Infinity Kappas or some such you will be glad you have the Sunfire it will drive them and the NAD wouldndt be able to keep up, call it future proofing :)

My suggestion is to read up on these other products then make your decision, dont get in a hurry and as C frizz would say do it right the first time :p




REGARDS SNOW

[lbristow]

Snow, you have been a big help, and we are on the same planet:) Thanks again:D

[snow]

Your welcome. For example here is a couple pics of the NAD C272 insides and the Sunfire 300 x 2 one is new the other used thery both sell for around the same price after looking at the pics which would you rather have?



REGARDS SNOW

[lbristow]

I have decided to go with the NAD C372 for now:D Thaks for all of your help, and taking the time to put up the pics.

[Lasareath]

I have decided to go with the NAD C372 for now:D Thaks for all of your help, and taking the time to put up the pics.

Wrong Choice :(

Find a Sunfire, It'll be your Amp for a long time!

BTW, Do not compare the sounds of a CD or SACD to your MP3's!!!

I did, and now I NEVER play MP3's on my 1.2TL's

There is a HUGE difference in sound. CD's and SACD's just sound so much better!

Save some money for upgrades, (8) New Tweeters, Redo your crossovers, Upgrade the binding Posts, Dynamat on the speaker baskets, and speaker wire is very important, Eventually you will try better speaker wire and you will say Damn!! why did I even buy this Home Depot speaker wire!

Congrats!!! and Have fun with your New 1.2's

Lasareath

[inspiredsports]

I have decided to go with the NAD C372 for now:D Thaks for all of your help, and taking the time to put up the pics.

Welcome aboard. What everyone is subtley trying to say is that Polk SDA's of all flavors, and especially the 1.2's, LOVE lots of clean. high-current power (that's what the big "cheese wheel" shaped thingy in the Sunfire photo delivers, and you can clearly see the size difference betweeen it and the NAD). I am a HUGE NAD fan and my vintage 7600 and 2600a amps do a great job, but they are not quite as powerful as the affordable Adcom, Sunfire, Carver, etc. amps many use.

Again, 1.2's LOVE GOBS OF CLEAN, HIGH CURRENT POWER.

I know you have the bug and want to start listening right now, but you might want to spend several days hanging out and reading old threads before you pull the trigger.

The experience level of some of these guys has saved me lots of time and money in just the past 3 months. Compared to what you know now, you'll have a "Master's Degree" in Polk in a few days by reading/asking here.

Greg

[BrettT1]

Could you share some pics of your 1.2s, please?

Brett

[reeltrouble1]

I have decided to go with the NAD C372 for now:D Thaks for all of your help, and taking the time to put up the pics.

Good Choice, your speakers are quite efficient and the NAD products match well with them.

RT1

[snow]

I have decided to go with the NAD C372 for now:D Thaks for all of your help, and taking the time to put up the pics.

Your welcome. You could do far worse than the NAD C372 I am sure it will me more than enough to make you happy. :)



REGARDS SNOW

[lbristow]

yes, the NAD will do just fine. I read up on this product, and it is very flexible, so I see no problems with it:D I watched a program a while back, do not remember what it was, that had a couple of big time studio music producers, the guys that actually run the board and that type of stuff. Any way, the discussion was about analog recordings compared to digital recordings, and which sounded better. Long story short, they were put to the test, and could tell no difference. I am not saying some recordings do not sound better than others, but at some point a lot of this is just overkill.As long as this set up sounds good to me, that is all I really care about. :) As far as pictures, I do not have them yet, they are in transit. Should get them by the 21st. By the way, why would I buy these and then completely redo them?? They are more than adequate the way they are.

[F1nut]

but at some point a lot of this is just overkill

You're not there yet. :D

why would I buy these and then completely redo them?? They are more than adequate the way they are.

Much to learn. Much to learn, indeed.