[geowens]

Hi - Would really appreciate some recommendations for an amplifier. Current setup:

Bluesond Node Icon - stream, DAC, Pre
Audiophonics AP300-S2503E - 3E's 260-2-29A PFFB amp module
Ascend Acoustic Sierra 2EX v2 speakers

The room is medium-sized, not a specifically dedicated music room. This setup is my living room, and my family interacts with it daily, streaming music, playing records, or watching TV. I like to keep the setup streamlined and very easy to use, i.e., trigger into the amp with the Icon controlling all preamp functions.

I've had the current amplifier for over a year, but the speakers and streamer are new additions. The amp is now slightly too neutral and edgy; hence, I am looking for something with a little more "class A" bias. I do enjoy the small form factor and efficiency of class D amps. Having this equipment in a dedicated cabinet to make the living room aesthetically pleasing, amp size has to factor into the equation.

I am looking at either the PS Audio Stellar S300 or a Nuprime STA-9X. Are there other amps out there that would be recommended? Any insight is greatly appreciated!

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Give a look to AVAHiFi and Odyssey Audio.

https://avahifi.com/collections/power-amplifiers

https://odysseyaudio.com/stratos-stereo-amplifier/


Odyssey will bias their amps to tailor the sound.

Both these companies make gear that punches way above their price points.  I have reviewed a lot of gear for AVAHiFi and own some pieces still.  Their amps are non fatiguing and lean neutral to slightly warm.  They are very smooth and musical.

[richidoo]

Welcome to AudioCircle, geowens!

Yup, it might be the amp.

or...

Could be you're streaming compressed music files from Spotify, Youtube, Amazon, Apple Music. The compression sounds edgy and harsh, especially with your new speakers have more resolution than before and revealing the compression distortion.

Could also be the Node. You have ribbon tweeters now, Node may not be refined enough for them, even if you're streaming lossless files. While it's a popular and high value piece, it is still consumer level product. A separate DAC is significant upgrade sonically. I waited too long to upgrade to separate DAC and my first two DACS were shit. I lost a lot of time and made a lot of system building mistakes because my digital source was the weak link for 15 years because I resisted upgrading it.

Last thing that comes to mind is the speaker crossovers. Too edgy/harsh can come from inexpensive capacitors and/or tweeters voiced too loud which is the current trend with new speakers.

Yes, it might be the amp, but make sure it's the amp before buying a replacement amp that is "better" (greater resolution) only to find the greater resolution makes the flaw (elsewhere in the system) sound even more noticeable.

[newzooreview]

I agree. The Ascend speakers (I've owned 3 pairs) use adequate but not exceptional crossover parts coupled with very good drivers. Those RAAL tweeters are very revealing, and that includes revealing the limitations of the crossover behind them. Measuring flat in-room with a Kliippel doesn't really tell you how the speaker will sound. The measurement just keeps the design from committing a major sin, so to speak.

With that said, you probably have not reached the limit of how good the Sierras can sound with something like a Bluesound Node Icon and the digital stream coming into it.

Regarding the amp, my experience with the TI TPA 3255 (the amp module in your amp) is that it is natural sounding with good timbre and no inherent harshness or glare. What you are describing sounds more like jitter or phase error in the digital domain.

I've just gone through a similar analysis in my system, and improving the streaming source made a significant difference. Digital signals over ethernet or USB are analog square waves and the signal is then converted to 0s and 1s in the streamer. However, although data can be recovered accurately, there is nothing in the USB or Ethernet specification that helps with timing. In addition, the cable is carrying electrical noise and can also pick up noise via EMF interference. The Node Icon also has the inherent limitation of using a digital volume control which reduces bit depth unless you are running it at high volumes all the time.

If you are using WiFi, there is another inherent limitation. High-frequency signals from Wi-Fi (typically 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) can couple with nearby audio circuits, especially if shielding or layout design is suboptimal, inducing electrical noise in the analog stage or DAC. Additionally, the power draw and processing demands of Wi-Fi activity can create fluctuations in the power supply, injecting low-level noise into sensitive components like the clock or amplifier, which may manifest as jitter or distortion in the audio output.

This is why higher-quality streamers often don't offer WiFi as an input option.

If you definitely want to get a better amp, I would take a look at the Hypex Nilai. VTV Amplifer can build it with WBT binding posts, or you can put the kit together with no soldering. A 2-hour test with excellent microphones, comparing the Nilai to Purifi and ICE class D amps is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdZFAWe1Nxo

I find the Nilai is excellent at reproducing the natural decay of plucked strings or piano notes. I have very much enjoyed mine, and I like it better than the Pass Labs XA25, a pure Class A amp that I owned for a long while.

Good luck with things, and I hope this helps.

[WGH]

The amp is now slightly too neutral and edgy; hence, I am looking for something with a little more "class A" bias.

I am looking at either the PS Audio Stellar S300 ...

The Van Alstine is a solid choice. I reviewed the PS Audio Stellar M1200, if the Stellar S300 is voiced similarly then the sound will still be very neutral. Every system is different so buying from a dealer that offers a liberal return policy is recommended.

My PS Audio Stellar M1200 review
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=176173.msg1856501#msg1856501

[AllanS]

What did your system sound like before introducing the Icon and what did the Icon replace?  I can’t talk the tech talk the others offered (but I’m definitely listening and taking notes) but, based on my recent experience, I’d be surprised if the solution is a different amp.
I recently replaced a Schiit Bifrost with a Eversolo DMP A8. I can’t tell you the specific differences in what I’m hearing, but the A8 seems to take the edge off the upper end.  Same amps but now easier to listen to, less fatiguing may be a good way to describe it.
 So I tend to lean DAC. Even if it means borrowing some gear it might be worth the effort to see what a different DAC sounds like before sinking a bunch more money in gear.  Hit up the regional audiophiles to see if there’s anyone in your neighborhood who can help.
 The problem of course is none of this is really helping.  You’re looking for a two box one button/triggers solution and one of those boxes is brand new so you only have the one other to play with.
  If you do want go the amp route, TMR (The Music Room) often has used PS Audio gear flowing through.  In fact they currently have 3 S300 all about the same asking as the STA9X.  Between the support team and an active forum PS Audio has the advantage of great support.  I do like the NuPrime gear. 
I have an AMG STA and had the PS Audio M1200 previously.  Based on that experience I suspect the STA 9X would be closer to what you’re looking for.  But I don’t believe it’s gonna cure what ails ya.
Good luck!

[artur9]

Love the size and sound of my T+A Amp8: https://hifiplus.com/articles/ta-elektroakustik-amp-8-power-amplifier/

T+A has a new model.  The price isn't crazy, used.  New is tough to take.

Schiit Gjallarhorn also sounds very good if it has enough power for your needs.

[AllanS]

Schiit Gjallarhorn also sounds very good if it has enough power for your needs.

I like the Ghorn also.  I had it driving 90 dB Spatial M4 Sapphires quite comfortably.

Something you might also consider is the Ganfet amps from Class D Audio. There was quite a lot of positive chatter about them around here seems like a couple of years ago.  The premium models appear to have triggers.  The looks can be polarizing so an enclosed cabinet may be a good thing.

https://classdaudio.com/product-category/collections/two-channel-gan-amp/

[geowens]

Thanks, everyone! Excellent info and recommendations here and I greatly appreciate the thoughtful responses.

The Icon replaced three pieces... A Gustard P26 preamp, Geshelli JNOG2 w/ AKM 4499 chip, and a WIIM Pro. The speakers I replaced were Wharfedale Denton 80s. This was a very relaxed sounding system, but I had to deal with a daughter and wife being frustrated with turning on/off a few things and controlling the volume with two remotes. Can't win!

I stream Tidal over wifi. Amir over at ASR did test the Icon and noted some increased jitter due to a filter used, but that was software-related?? I love to pretend to understand what all the testing numbers mean, but don't.

Making all these changes at once wasn't the best idea... live and learn! I wasn't aware of the crossover parts in the Sierra's being just meh and that's a sad bit of news. Lot's to digest..

Thanks again!

[Jon L]

I wasn't aware of the crossover parts in the Sierra's being just meh and that's a sad bit of news. Lot's to digest..

I have no personal stakes in Ascend Acoustics, but it's one of the few companies I respect for offering excellent VALUE in audio.  The Sierra 2EX V2 are ~$1800/pair speakers, and the crossover parts are FAR from "meh" IMO.  In fact the crossover parts quality are similar to parts quality one usually finds in big name brands that cost multiple times more..



 

[AllanS]

Amir over at ASR did test the Icon and noted some increased jitter due to a filter used, but that was software-related??

I wasn’t going to mention this since you’re presumably committed to the Icon.  All things said and done, have you considered any well regarded integrateds?  There are any number that can be had for relatively low $. Cambridge and NAD come immediately to mind.

Edit to add the Icon as a streamer only would compliment an integrated very well.  I’ve been running Bluesound for 7 years and am overall very happy with the ecosystem.  They frequently push out updates.  So, if what ails the Icon today can be remedied with firmware S/W updates, you may ultimately find it to be all you need as a DAC/Streamer/pre