[reillyzing]

Speaker systems are new for me. I have a pair of powered speakers that I've used off and on, but mainly use headphones for music listening.
I picked up the JBL Studio 530, which are still available for $300 as part of JBL's black friday/cyber week sale.
Please give some suggestions for amps that would pair well with the 530.
Also in my setup will be a NuPrime DAC-10H with volume control.

[witchdoctor]

I paired the JBL 230's with a Parasound Z Amp in my desktop system which was excellent. When I switched it our for a Carver AV 505 amp it was amazing how much further the soundstage extended beyond my desk. I would recommend a Carver amp used or an Onkyo Integrated A-9110 amp for around $300. I just got an Onkyo ^#) HT receiver for the man cave and it pairs fantastic with the JBL Studio 2 series. They deliver way more value and are a screaming bargain IMO. Make sure you check "web deals" on the Onkyo site for other specials they run weekly. Check out this review:

https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/974-onkyo-a9110-integrated-amplifier

[reillyzing]

Thanks.. I want to use the NuPrime DAC and volume control. Would this create any conflict with an integrated amp?

[witchdoctor]

The Carver AV series use the same technology that was used in the famed "Lightstar. You could bi-amp the 530's perfectly with this AV 405:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carver-AV-405-5Ch-Power-Amplifier-Amp-Works/293313824116?hash=item444addc574:g:dngAAOSwOIpdwMnN

Or the AV 64 4 channel amp which was actually designed with bi-amping in mind:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CARVER-AV-64-MAGNETIC-FIELD-AMPLIFIER-w-ORIGINAL-MANUAL/202797511143?hash=item2f37ac71e7:g:S7AAAOSw9oVdn8qz

[witchdoctor]

Thanks.. I want to use the NuPrime DAC and volume control. Would this create any conflict with an integrated amp?

You would want to set the DAC to "lineout" mode to bypass the volume control (or just set it to max and leave it alone) and use the volume control of the amp so you can use the other features like the phase control for the bass.  Check out the manual here:

https://www.onkyousa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SN29403405_A-9110_EnFrEs_180709_web.pdf

[reillyzing]

Maybe I should have mentioned that I'm only interested in a two channel setup. No surround and small chance of a sub.

[Meicheng]

Onkyo M-5010 2-Channel Amplifier (Black).  This is probably a pretty good match and in general Onkyo gives you a pretty good bang for the buck.  These run around $350.

[reillyzing]

Onkyo M-5010 2-Channel Amplifier (Black).  This is probably a pretty good match and in general Onkyo gives you a pretty good bang for the buck.  These run around $350.

Thanks, maybe I'd be fine with the 75 wpc but might prefer 100-125.

[maty]

$300-$400 and JBL sound (rock)

New, Yamaha AS701

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/yamaha-a-s701-tear-down-thoughts-about-the-internals-few-measurements.9459/

Second hand: Yamaha AS700

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/yamaha-a-s701-tear-down-thoughts-about-the-internals-few-measurements.9459/post-253852

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=Yamaha+AS700



JBL Studio 530 crossover

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=137288.msg1768975#msg1768975

JBL Studio 530 SPL graph with frequency

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=137288.msg1769013#msg1769013

[maty]

I am sorry, in EU Yamaha are cheaper than in US!


Yamaha AS701 $780

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-S701BL-Natural-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B00MXUCR5G/

Yamaha AS501 $550

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-S501BL-Natural-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B00MXUCRG0

Yamaha AS301 $350

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-S301BL-Natural-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B00MXUCN0A/


If you can find a second hand Yamaha AS700 in good state... If not, try with second hand Yamaha AS701. Or AS50x.

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=Yamaha+AS701

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=Yamaha+AS501

[JLM]

Recommended power for the 530 is 25 - 125 wpc at 6 ohms (18 - 90 wpc at the more common 8 ohm rating).  Being how they're rated at 6 ohms I'd search for an impedance graph and look for the lowest value (suspicious since it's rated that low that it could drop dangerously low).  If that's the case suggest looking for an amp that is stable at low impedances.  Note that cheaper amps typically aren't robustly designed to handle low impedances and that it's best to oversize the amp to avoid clipping if you tend to play really loud.

Realize that the relationship between power (watts) and sound pressure levels (loudness) is logarithmic, so say 100 wpc only sounds twice as loud as 10 wpc.  Thus I'd sweat the impedance rating first and the wattage second. 

The 530 has lowish efficiency, rated at 86 dB/w/m at 6 ohms, so not going to reach head banging levels anyway.  At 125 wpc into 6 ohms you might expect to reach 100 dB, depending on room size - not peak levels for live performances but much louder than most listen. 

[mresseguie]

You might look for a used Nuprime STA-6. It’s rated at 90 watts and has the advantage of being able to become a mono amp when paired with a second STA-6. 

I’ve never heard this amplifier, but it came to mind upon reading this thread. Perhaps your Nuprime dealer would give you a deal on one since you already purchased a DAC-10H?? $449 on Nuprime website.

Is this for a desktop system?

Best of luck,

Michael

[maty]

I would not buy it. The other small with DAC, IDA-6. Data specs != measured.

Nuprime IDA-6

https://nuprimeaudio.com/product/ida-6/?v=04c19fa1e772

Power output: 60W x 2 (8-Ohm) or 35W x 4 (4-Ohm) *
THD+N: 0.05% SNR:88dB

[Polish] https://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/wzmacniacze-stereo/2981-nuprime-ida-6

to English: https://translate.google.es/translate?hl=&sl=pl&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Faudio.com.pl%2Ftesty%2Fstereo%2Fwzmacniacze-stereo%2F2981-nuprime-ida-6

Rated power (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) [W] 8 Ω, 2x 32
Rated power (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) [W] 4 Ω, 2x 51
Signal / noise ratio (A-weighted filter, relative to 1W) [dB] 80 dB

THD+N in SS must be measured at 0.1%. True power is lower than measured at 1%.

[rotarius]

I have owned the 530, 570, 580.  I did not have any issue with low impedance or anything, sounded great with 50w Jolida and 30W Primaluna tube amps.  I can also recommend the Yamaha amps mentioned previously.  Really good bang for the buck, whatever you can afford.  Nad also good match with them,  but iffy reliability.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Do you plan on using any other sources besides the DAC? Or do you want tone or balance controls? (Personally I would recommend tone controls especially if you’re relatively new to speakers, but that’s just my opinion.)
If yes to any of those, look for an integrated amp. If no to all of the above, then just get a good power amp. 

There are usually lots of good ones (both power amps and integrateds) in your price range on US Audio Mart, and to a lesser extent, on eBay and maybe Craigslist or FB marketplace, depending on your location. You’ll virtually always get more bang for your buck going with used equipment.

[mresseguie]

I would not buy it. The other small with DAC, IDA-6. Data specs != measured.

Nuprime IDA-6

https://nuprimeaudio.com/product/ida-6/?v=04c19fa1e772


[Polish] https://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/wzmacniacze-stereo/2981-nuprime-ida-6

to English: https://translate.google.es/translate?hl=&sl=pl&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Faudio.com.pl%2Ftesty%2Fstereo%2Fwzmacniacze-stereo%2F2981-nuprime-ida-6

THD+N in SS must be measured at 0.1%. True power is lower than measured at 1%.

Maty,

You've managed to confuse me. The amp I mentioned (STA-6) is different from the IDA-6. The OP has already stated he will buy a DAC-10H, so he does not need an integrated amp with DAC.

P.S. I recently watched your YouTube video, and gave you a 'like'. 

Michael

[maty]

Different but it is clear, that others Nuprime measurements I posted, specs != measures.

With Class D many many cheat with maximum power, without specified the THD. An example, Nuprime. And worse, the SNR is much worse!

***** *****

I only have a Youtube video, Nessun dorma by Franco Corelli (1966). It sounds much worse than my CD or CD rip 16/44 at FLAC 0 made with the last FLAC library, 1024 kbps and foobar2000. When I hear it (CD) my skin bristles!

[Spanish] https://nauscopio.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/musica-de-cine-emi-classics-1991-franco-corelli-nessun-dorma-del-turandot-de-puccini-1966/

-> https://nauscopio.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/musica-de-cine-emi-classics-1991-franco-corelli-nessun-dorma-del-turandot-de-puccini-1966/#comment-15188

DR10 -3.42 dB -19.48 dB 3:13 05-Nessun Dorma (Turandot – Act III)

How to make the best FLAC. Convert, recoder and CD rip.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=157417.0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLBEyweKZzE

And thank you. It was only a test. I made it with the highest sound quality I could or knew. After uploading it sounded worse than on my computer 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

What did you decide on, reillyzing?

[reillyzing]

Thank you for the replies and recommendations. I'm still undecided but have sold some items and can probably stretch my budget to around $500..

[reillyzing]

Do you plan on using any other sources besides the DAC? Or do you want tone or balance controls? (Personally I would recommend tone controls especially if you’re relatively new to speakers, but that’s just my opinion.)
If yes to any of those, look for an integrated amp. If no to all of the above, then just get a good power amp. 

There are usually lots of good ones (both power amps and integrateds) in your price range on US Audio Mart, and to a lesser extent, on eBay and maybe Craigslist or FB marketplace, depending on your location. You’ll virtually always get more bang for your buck going with used equipment.

Tone controls might be useful and fun to play with. Can I get something in my price range that won't degrade the sound in other ways?
Most importantly, I want an amp that won't be fatiguing or sound strained at medium-high volume.