[RandyT]

Greetings ACI fans,

As mentioned in my intro post, I am unpacking my Sapphire IIIs and Titan sub in a new listening room setup. The room is about 12'x12' so a small space.

My goal is to get into listening to some vinyl. I've purchased a Fluance RT85 TT to give idea of my budget goals. Would be nice to be able to stream some content to the amp but there are many ways to do that so that capability is not necessarily a requirement in the device(s). Priority is phono. The room is acoustically asymmetric in that it has windows on one wall, cabinets on a couple of walls and ceramic tiled fireplace on another. For those reasons I feel like I could benefit from an amp that could do some room tuning for me. I suspect there are other ways to work around those issues and am open for input.

I like the idea of an Amp/Preamp setup. But due to my lack of experience with this gear, I am not clear how to connect a sub given most(all) of the amp/preamps I have run across are strictly 2 channel. No sub output. I've read some about using a passive crossover to work around this. Not clear on what that requires.

I'd appreciate feedback as to what I should be looking for in watts/ch and any other things I may not be thinking about yet. Makes some sense to me to try to find an analog setup given the phono goal. I'm open to searching for used gear as well.

Appreciate any feedback that you can provide.

[mick wolfe]

Check out the Heaven 11 Billie integrated. It may check all the right boxes for you in a single package. Plenty of power for the Sapphires, very respectable phono pre-amp on board and outputs for sub hook-up. Also probably more reasonable in price than trying to put together a separate pre-amp/amp combo.

[Doublej]

Check out the WiiM Ultra. It is a streaming preamplifier with a phono input, subwoofer output, and built in room correction. Be forewarned though that some have reported issues with the phono stage gain. Under $400.

NAD has integrated amplifiers with phono input, subwoofer output, and room correction. There are many options for two channel units with a phono input and subwoofer output. If you want to high pass filter your L/R speakers, you will likely need an external crossover. 

You could also go rouge from an audiophile perspective and use an AVR. An AVR would most definitely have room correction, subwoofer outputs, the option for high pass filtering your L/R speakers, and likely a phono input.

[RandyT]

Mick, that Billie looks very nice. Ticks most of the boxes. Seems we are in holding pattern waiting on availability of MkIII. Will search around for used.

DoubleJ, the Wiim Ultra is interesting. Surprisingly good specs for what it is. Probably not the look I am going for and any streamer in my environment is going to need to support Airplay 2. I have Sonos in most of the rest of the house. Would probably lean toward a Sonos Port to give me streaming access from an amp in this listening room.

FWIW, I have found the NAD C389 interesting along with the Yamaha R-N800A. Not sure these are going to give me the sound I am looking for. Ideally probably need to find a way to listen to a few candidates.

Thanks again for the suggestions. Lots of options out there...

[Capt. Z]

I have used my Sapphire III with 2 different SS amps and now the past 25 years with a integrated tube amp. I definitely prefer the tube amp.

To hook up the sub I soldered a simple speaker wire and RCA cable together and placed a 600 Ohm 2 Watt resistor on the plus lead (DIY) to create my own speaker to RCA adapter. Then I connected the speaker wire side to the amp and the RCA side to the Sub amp.

[js1955]

If you go with a separate line stage, some come with 2 pair of RCA outputs.  Run the 2nd pair to your sub(s).

If it only has one pair of outputs, simply use a Y splitter to create 2 pair of outputs:

https://www.parts-express.com/Gold-RCA-Y-1-Male-To-2-Right-Angle-Female-Black-091-515?quantity=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21081298514&utm_content=160689067578&gadid=692832727854&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvvO7BhC-ARIsAGFyToXS-KOPRadJaF5cpA8n3-YhExiDJ3zIN8OQHumchmq3VQIlyYFIQ-0aAhEUEALw_wcB

[Doublej]

You can add Onkyo to the list. They announced new gear with phono inputs and room correction.

[RandyT]

Interesting suggestion DoubleJ. I'm actually setting up with an old TX-8050 that I have.

Looks like you have to go with an AVR in order to get room correction.

Should have turntable today so will be able to see what I have and refresh my memory on the Sapphires.

[Doublej]

Interesting suggestion DoubleJ. I'm actually setting up with an old TX-8050 that I have.

Looks like you have to go with an AVR in order to get room correction.

Should have turntable today so will be able to see what I have and refresh my memory on the Sapphires.

No, Onkyo just announced new two channel products with room correction.

https://hometheaterreview.com/the-onkyo-icon-series-a-game-changer-for-vinyl-and-streaming-fans-alike/

[RandyT]

Very interesting. If it sounds as good as it looks, that is a real contender. Will have to be patient and wait for that one.

Thanks DoubleJ. I need to get caught up on CES news..