[FILTHpig]

Hi all, new user here. Read some threads, seems like a great site!

Recently, I was able to get the NuPrime DAC-9X for a great price and I love it. I'm in a small 10x11' space, it's my office/music room. I have all my records in this room along with a turntable. I also stream from my Roon server via RoPieee. I have some DALI Menuet SE speakers and a REL T/5x sub. I'm currently using a Pro-Ject MaiA DS3 integrated as my amplification.

I'm just wondering if I should pair the DAC with the NuPrime IA-9X integrated, mainly because of the phono stage and it's supposedly better in a small room with smaller speakers OR go with the STA-9X because I have these 4 ohm speakers plus a sub and I tend to listen to a lot of heavy electronic music and it's supposed to have better bass control? I mean, I listen to everything from Jazz to Punk Rock so a well-rounded amp is wanted either way.

I was thinking the integrated would be kind of ideal because of the built in phono stage. Also, don't want a ton of components in my minimalist setup but I don't know if that matters much since I also want the best sound possible. Anyway, hope I was clear with my question as to what amp to pair with my DAC and speakers. Thanks in advance!

[John Ransley]

The STA-9x is where you want to be; by jumping into the DAC-9x you are already past all-in-one solutions and into the world of superior sounding separate components. The DAC-9x/STA-9x combination has several advantages in your system; firstly much more power. The DAC-9x also has dual outputs so you'll be able to run both the sub and STA-9x (use balanced for the power amp). Obviously you have digital inputs as well as phono and the DAC-9x is going to make Roon sound really good - your next step will be to then invest in a better phono stage (and maybe even cartridge) in order to have your vinyl listening come up to the same standard. And further in the future you'll even be able to add a second STA-9x and go into bridged mode - this will turn heavy electronic music into a really mind bending experience!

This is not to say the IA-9x is in any way a lesser amplifier; I like it a lot and have one here in my own office with a Lumin front end and Sonus faber Amators. But your existing system is different especially as you have a subwoofer. Feel free to come back to me with any further questions.

[FILTHpig]

Okay, that makes sense to me. That's exactly the kind of advice I was looking for, I appreciate it! STA-9X it is.

[bishop222]

Hello.
I saw a YouTube review of the STA-9X and wanted to try this amplifier. But I couldn't find any measurements or what chip it's based on. Is it a TPA3255, Infinion, or something else? I also wanted to know if anyone has compared the STA-9X with the Topping B200 and Purifi. I'd be interested in your opinion. Which one should I choose for studio monitors?
Thank you.

[rustydoglim]

I saw a YouTube review of the STA-9X and wanted to try this amplifier. But I couldn't find any measurements or what chip it's based on. Is it a TPA3255, Infinion, or something else? I also wanted to know if anyone has compared the STA-9X with the Topping B200 and Purifi. I'd be interested in your opinion. Which one should I choose for studio monitors?

Thanks for asking.  I am guessing that you are new to Nuprime Audio.  Nuprime is the "odd" one out there where we develop our own amplifier from the ground up (a tradition from Nuforce since 2005).  You can read about how it was done from the guides: https://nuprimeaudio.com/guides/amp-design/
This is the amp comparison chart:

https://nuprimeaudio.com/guides/amp-comparison/

My opinion is that STA-9X should rank way above TPA3255, Infineon, IcePower, and many other entry level amps.
Other high entry level to mid level to high end amps typically use Purifi or Hypex modules and some are comparable to STA-9X, but you would have to pay much higher price.

For studio monitor with stereo amp, I would rank STA-9X then AMG STA-SE then Evolution Two-SE on the highest level. 
The Evolution STA ($4995) was reviewed and compared to the $40,000 CH A1.5 as equal.   Note that Evolution STA-SE is coming out around mid December, which we expect to surpass many top tier amps.  You can't go wrong with STA-9X, but if you want more refined and smoother sound, AMG STA-SE and Evo STA-SE are the two higher ups.

[AllanS]

Welcome aboard bishop!

[mresseguie]

Hello.
I saw a YouTube review of the STA-9X and wanted to try this amplifier. But I couldn't find any measurements or what chip it's based on. Is it a TPA3255, Infinion, or something else? I also wanted to know if anyone has compared the STA-9X with the Topping B200 and Purifi. I'd be interested in your opinion. Which one should I choose for studio monitors?
Thank you.

Hi, Bishop.

I own a couple different Nuprime amps. I have no connection to Nuprime other than that I own Nuprime gear that I'm pretty darned happy with. It's reliable, and does what it's designed to do in my opinion. I already own an STA-EVO amp (not the new SE model) for a different pair of 96.5dB speakers, and I really like it. It has a very tube-like sound. It's rated at 230W/ch into 8 Ohms and 310w/ch into 4 Ohms.

Anyway, I very nearly ordered a pair of STA-9x amps to use as mono amps because I have a pair of hard to drive two-way monitors (4 Ohm/82.5dB) whose sound I really like. My speakers eat amps for lunch and spit them out, so I need a strong amp to power them. I'd heard a different pair of more efficient speakers being driven by a single STA-9x at an audio show, and I was mighty impressed by its performance. After researching the various different Nuprime amps and discussing their different power characteristics with my Nuprime dealer (John Casler), I came to the conclusion that I would be better served by buying the new EVO STA-SE amp. It'll be more powerful than the original EVO STA yet retain the sound characteristics that I already know I love.

When one chooses an amp, it's important to consider how many amps of current it produces. The Nuprime website says this about the EVO STA: "The 550W high-power ultra-thin toroidal transformer power supply has been enhanced to deliver cleaner and more stable power with lower noise floor. The entire power path fully adopts 40A ultra-high current and low resistance terminals. Improved current dynamic capability. Total of 52,000uF power supply filter capacitors."

If I remember correctly, the STA-9x delivers 10A current power. While two STA-9x amps would deliver plenty of Watts/ch, they'll lack the 'grunt' that a high current amp like the Evo STA-SE will deliver. My low efficincy two-ways sound best when powered by a high current amplifer.

What are your studio monitors rated? If I were going to power higher efficiency speakers, I'd probably opt for the STA-9x.

Just my two cents. I hope this helps you in your decision process.

Michael