Affordable Stereo Amps For T2 Towers

[woofman]

Hi everyone,

I'm not a stereo expert by any means, but love to listen to good quality music.....especially from the 60's through 80's, and anything more recent that's worth listening to. I have a wide range of tastes, and rock & roll is a favorite. To take advantage of the current T2 tower closeout pricing, I purchased a set for my basement to place on both sides of my flat screen TV, and listening to while shooting pool, etc.... My interest is listening to good quality stereo via vinyl and CD, and connecting 2 channels to the TV....but not interested in surround sound. I have that capability elsewhere. I've spent a considerable amount of time weeding through the dizzying array of recommendations on the web, but the more I read, the more confusing it gets. I do know that I don't want to spend much more than $500 at this time, but I'd also like to have a decent system that I won't outgrow any time soon. Since most of you have a lot more knowledge than I do, I'd like to learn of any recommendations you might have. I definitely want something that will make good use of the potential sound quality of these speakers....

Thanks in advance

[garbulky]

The best value for money I have heard is the Emotiva PA-1 fully balanced monoblock amps. I have heard it with the Emotiva T2's and they sound like an excellent pairing. A pair is $600 - but they don't have a volume control (preamp) or a phono praemp so you would need a preamp before it. A little pricey but it really is pretty darn great.

[boomzilla]

^^^^ +1 to what garbulky said!

[stiehl11]

With the same amount of power and over $200 cheaper; I would recommend the A-300 (when it's back in stock). It's closer to your target price of $500 and allows you a few dollars to buy beer for your friends when they come over to play pool and listen to your new amp/speakers.

[Deleted]

Your desires are definitely do'able and quite popular today.
Many popular audio manufacturers make 2 channel receivers with video integrating that's similar to HT units plus good DACs & ethernet/wifi streaming.
Denon/Marantz and Onkyo/Integra have nice features and good audio quality at reasonable pricing.
My feelings are any HT receiver with 1080p pass-through can work for a poolroom, bar area. Because you're only using 2 channels, anything 80w/ch or more can work. The T2 are 4 ohm, so be sure of high current capable amp.
I like this stereo unit- $369 has everything you could need.
www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/dendra800h/denon-dra-800h-2-x-100-watts-networking-stereo-receiver-w/heos/1.html

My widow neighbor needed a replacement receiver (no surround & ease of use) and I installed an Integra 2ch @ 80w/ch into a pair of Cerwin Vega D9 that rocks the house. Connects phono, DTV, cassette, DVD & CD player to a LCD monitor. She loves it.

[woofman]

Thanks to all, for the useful information. Other than some  of the fussiness, I really like the performance of my A-700/MC-700 seven channel combo, but only need 2-channel for my basement. I have over 700 LP's stored away that I haven't listened to for years, so looking forward to a more old school setup for that purpose. I was interested in the A-300, but since it is out of stock, I figured it was discontinued.....

[routlaw]

I would suggest the TA-100 for starters, it will have everything you need or want with the exception of higher power output, but you could add another amp later and bi-amp the speakers. The TA-100 has built in DAC and phono stage.

[martindktm]

Used market and pawn shop are a good place to find something too. My system for years was a vintage Bose 1801 amp paid 200$ and a old Harman Kardon 330A used as Preamp and phono input.

[vcautokid]

For the basement, lets talk first about what do we have ahead of the amplifier. A bit vague on the details here. What is our source/sources? We know LPs want to be played that haven't for years. So phono stage is needed. Check. The T2 likes an amplifier that is going to show them who is boss. But you don't need a monster amplifier. The T2 for its size is very friendly, but certainly the more power the better but not overboard here because of the money. Your best easy bet with the versatility and ease of expansion is The Denon DRA800H mentioned above. I don't see the Integrated amplifier Emotiva did a bit ago on the site. So I would go with the Denon DRA-800H for the price and the things you need. Tough to beat. Image of the back so you can see the capability.


It gives you a phono stage for your LPs to be played. A Subwoofer connection or two if you ever want to connect a Subwoofer. HDMI switching which great. Streaming and Network capability. For your budget or even less if you shop carefully. Looks like the best choice for the money. Options are always better than just the price point. If you spend more or less always make sure you get what you want.

[drtrey3]

emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/a-100

The a-100 would do. Add a little dac for the tv and pre for the vinyl and full steam ahead.

Trey

[creimes]

I also vote for the TA-100, it is an amazing integrated amp for the price.

Chad

[woofman]

Since the A-300 is not available at this time, I might take a second look at the A-100 as some of you have suggested. There's not much information out there regarding this pairing. I did, however, find this favorable review by jazz bassist Alan Lewine, who obviously has a good ear for good sound.

maceditionradio.com/node/6184

At first glance, I didn't feel the A-100 would have enough oomph for the T2's but the more I read from some of your suggestions and this review, the more I feel comfortable with this selection.

[strindl]

You can get a really great deal at Costco on a very nice Yamaha receiver until 12/29. It's the model TSR 7850 is available for $379.00...a ridiculously low price for something of that quality and capability.

www.costco.com/yamaha-tsr-7850-7.2-channel-network-av-receiver.product.100456240.html

It will nicely drive the T2's now, and has all the bells and whistles as far as DACs (bur brown), and a nice phono stage to boot. It's identical to the Yamaha Aventage lines model number RX-A780. The Yamaha TSR line is designed for sale in mainly Costco, and since Costco prices it considerably cheaper than the exact same receiver sold in the normal retail chain, they change the model number so people can't price match.


usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/tsr-7850/index.html

Here is the link to the Aventage model that the TSR 7850 is exactly the same as:


usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx-a780_u/index.html

This receiver also has preamp out jacks for the front two channels so you can add an external power amp if you want more power. The Emotive A300 would work great with it and give you a very capable two channel OR 7.2 channel set up for a bargain price.

I couldn't resist the sale price and bought one a couple weeks ago. I have hooked it up to my T2's and the built in amps drive them very very nicely.

[woofman]

Since both the A-100 and TA-100 have been recommended, I'd like to know the advantages of one over the other? I realize one has a built in tuner, but there are other differences that maybe would be important.

[woofman]

Dec 19, 2019 19:58:48 GMT -5 strindl said:

You can get a really great deal at Costco on a very nice Yamaha receiver until 12/29. It's the model TSR 7850 is available for $379.00...a ridiculously low price for something of that quality and capability.

www.costco.com/yamaha-tsr-7850-7.2-channel-network-av-receiver.product.100456240.html

It will nicely drive the T2's now, and has all the bells and whistles as far as DACs (bur brown), and a nice phono stage to boot. It's identical to the Yamaha Aventage lines model number RX-A780. The Yamaha TSR line is designed for sale in mainly Costco, and since Costco prices it considerably cheaper than the exact same receiver sold in the normal retail chain, they change the model number so people can't price match.


usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/tsr-7850/index.html

Here is the link to the Aventage model that the TSR 7850 is exactly the same as:


usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx-a780_u/index.html

This receiver also has preamp out jacks for the front two channels so you can add an external power amp if you want more power. The Emotive A300 would work great with it and give you a very capable two channel OR 7.2 channel set up for a bargain price.

I couldn't resist the sale price and bought one a couple weeks ago. I have hooked it up to my T2's and the built in amps drive them very very nicely.
This is very enticing. Thanks for the info!

[creimes]

Dec 19, 2019 20:01:37 GMT -5 woofman said:

Since both the A-100 and TA-100 have been recommended, I'd like to know the advantages of one over the other? I realize one has a built in tuner, but there are other differences that maybe would be important.

Built in DAC with digital inputs

Built in Phono Preamp

Tuner

RCA outs if you ever go the way of a more powerful external amplier

IMO it is a much better deal over the A-100 in terms of cost and features, I have owned both and they drove my T1 just fine, not to as high of levels as my UPA-1 amps obviously but actually really good.

Chad

[robs]

Schiit Vidar. 1 of them is plenty.

[vcautokid]

Dec 19, 2019 19:49:34 GMT -5 woofman said:

Since the A-300 is not available at this time, I might take a second look at the A-100 as some of you have suggested. There's not much information out there regarding this pairing. I did, however, find this favorable review by jazz bassist Alan Lewine, who obviously has a good ear for good sound.

maceditionradio.com/node/6184

At first glance, I didn't feel the A-100 would have enough oomph for the T2's but the more I read from some of your suggestions and this review, the more I feel comfortable with this selection.

Kind of depends. You could drive the T2 with the A-100, and you could do alright. It is still a high current amp with some swagger. However you are going to find the facilities rather limited unless basically one or two sources are going to be it. Also no phono preamp for spinning your LPs.

emotiva.com/products/ta-100?_pos=1&_sid=22e653895&_ss=r I found the TA-100 integrated. Basically the A-100 with more facilities. It will do it all. If you plan on cranking it so to speak all the recommendations save the PA-1 Monoblocks with separate preamplifier will probably be wanting. But depending on your basement and how the acoustics are, and how big of an area you plan to listen with, the TA-100 or the Denon could do very well. If streaming and Network connectivity are important, the Denon is the buy. If great sound and the other streaming abilities are not important, than the TA-100 could do pretty well.

The only thing would be if you are looking to play at reference levels. If so, the Denon and the TA-100 might catch you a bit short. If below that and you just want good moderate level sound either of these would do very well.

So in sum, pretty much this is figured out, It is a matter of how you listen. If you need more power or headroom, you then are going to exceed your budget. More power costs more money.

[drtrey3]

I have no experience with the T2 woofers, sadly. But I use that tweeter in my den where they reside in a pair of B1s. I recently changed over from an old but LARGE Denon receiver to the A-100. My wife, who has very good ears but not much interest in hifi in general came back to look at me with a scowl. "Did you buy new speakers?" No dear, but that nice inexpensive amp I got at Emotiva sure makes these old speakers sound great, doesn't it? "That is from the new amp? Nice."

I am not sure about the woofers, but it will make those tweeters sing.

Trey

[woofman]

I recently learned The A-300 is now back in stock, so I just may spring for it. All of the suggestions from all of you have been very much appreciated. I feel the A-300 would fit my needs without any looking back. Now, deciding on a pre-amp to go with it.....?