Ultra Silent Amp for Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1?

thread · « **on:** 23 May 2013, 03:43 am »

Hello, AudioCircle!

I just took possession of a pair of beautiful Ascent Acoustics Sierra-1 NrT monitors and an Emotiva UPA-200 125wpc power amp to which I attached my RudiStor RPX-33 headphone amp/preamp. I'm pretty sure the faint hiss I hear through the tweeters is from the Emotiva, and I'm not entirely sure why.

This is really a quiet hiss and wouldn't bother even me except my planned use for these is primarily as a near-field monitor.

I'm wondering if anyone has any specific advice for an integrated amp (taking my RPX-33 out of the equation) or a power amp that would be dead quiet on these speakers. I was attempting to get great sound from these with the 125wpc amp, but of course I'd really like an inaudible backdrop if it's possible...

I'm sort of eyeing Adcom, Creek, and NAD, but I'm not sure what's going to give me the silent background + awesome clear sound at once. Any ideas?

Cheers !

Adam

P.S. Also note that the amps I suggested cost ~$1000 and the one I got here is $349 =\ ... Value is definitely what we're after. I also don't need any features.

neekomax · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 May 2013, 03:54 am »

I went from a VERY noisy Acurus DIA-100 to my current amps, Tube Audio Design Hibachi II mono blocks (200 wpc SS amps). They are super quiet, apparently there is some sort of special tiny tube involved in the power supply that lowers the noise floor.

I dunno, but it works.

These are really nice amps, they go for about $500-$600 on the used market.

thread · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 May 2013, 04:20 am »

Thanks for the reply, neekomax. I guess I would prefer to stick to solid state if I could. It still sounds like you're in the 1000-1200 range with those mono blocks.

If a solid state, integrated amp in the same range would give me what I'm looking for, that would sound good to me...

neekomax · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 May 2013, 04:33 am »

Quote from: thread on 23 May 2013, 04:20 am

Thanks for the reply, neekomax. I guess I would prefer to stick to solid state if I could. It still sounds like you're in the 1000-1200 range with those mono blocks.

If a solid state, integrated amp in the same range would give me what I'm looking for, that would sound good to me...

These are solid state class AB monos. Not integrated, although they do have gain controls . They are $500-$600 for a pair, used.

Listening to 'em right now, sounds great.

thread · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 May 2013, 01:10 am »

Man, the Creek Evolution 50A looks purdy... The thing is, it's only 50 watts of power.

Am I asking too much to have power, transparency, and an inaudible noise floor?

Brad · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 May 2013, 01:13 am »

If you're listening near-field, 50 wpc may be more than you think

thread · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 May 2013, 01:30 am »

Hm! I had a feeling that might be the case. What compromises does one make, exactly, going with a 50wpc amp? It's simply not going to punch hard and clear at super high levels? Within a certain threshold I should expect the same "sound quality" as a higher wpc amp?

I feel like this is a pretty noobish question, but I gotta ask !

Thanks, Brad & Everyone

srb · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 May 2013, 02:44 am »

Quote from: Brad on 24 May 2013, 01:13 am

If you're listening near-field, 50 wpc may be more than you think

I would tend to agree with that. A 50W/ch amplifier with a speaker listening distance of 3 feet may be more or less equivalent to a 200W/ch amplifier at 9 feet.

Steve