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Thread: Need to power Athena AS-B2's looking at Rotel RA-01 and NAD/Cambridge models |
    
New member Username: Destro713
Chicago,
IL
U.S.A.
Post Number: 2
Registered: Jul-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 09:28 pm: |
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I just recently got an incredible deal on some new Athena AS-B2 speakers, and now I need an amp to power them. The models I'm looking at are the Rotel RA-01, the Cambridge Azur 340A/540A, and the NAD C320BEE.
I'm looking for a slightly warm sound, detailed but not analytical. I'll probably be pairing the amp with an NAD C521BEE CD player. I've heard that the 521BEE has a bit of warmth itself, so I'm not sure if I should pair it with an equally warm amp or if I should look for a brighter amp to avoid potential muddiness. I'm basically just going off of recommendations and reviews, because I've never heard any of these components and I have almost no experience with separates.
I'd be willing to go as high as $350 for the amp, but the lower, the better.
Recommendations? |
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Silver Member Username: Sun_king
Leeds,
West Yorkshire
UK
Post Number: 122
Registered: Mar-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 10:09 pm: |
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I'd go with the Nad amp. I'm using a Nad cdp and amp but don't get any muddiness. The amp is the main player when it comes to warmth or brightness IME. |
New member Username: Destro713
Chicago,
IL
U.S.A.
Post Number: 7
Registered: Jul-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 11:09 pm: |
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What about the Cambridge 540A? Any word on its sonic characteristics? |
Silver Member Username: Edison
Glendale,
CA
US
Post Number: 388
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 07:59 am: |
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You are looking at all the good ones at the price. You might want to hear a RX-series Yamaha - since this one has a sub out unlike all of your choices, you can add a sony sub for under $100 (sawm 200) , and it will fill in the bass the Athenas lack.
This way, you will have a full sounding system for about the same price. The Yamaha is 80 watts and the it sounds pretty good with the Athenas (with the effects on).
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=333903/search=yamaha%20r x
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Bronze Member Username: Drumsuck
St. johns,
Newfoundland
Canada
Post Number: 32
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 08:03 am: |
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I used a cambridge 640A for about a week and it was stellar. I highly reccommend anything in their line. |
New member Username: Walt_h
Tustin,
CA
USA
Post Number: 6
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 03:24 pm: |
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I checked the Rotel website and it shows that the RA-01 does, in fact, have a preamp output that can drive your powered subwoofer. I haven't heard this amp, but it gets a lot of favorable comment on here and elsewhere. Good luck in your hunt! |
Silver Member Username: Sun_king
Leeds,
West Yorkshire
UK
Post Number: 127
Registered: Mar-04
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| Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 03:38 pm: |
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The RA-01 doesn't have a remote which in this day & age I find pathetic. The RA-02 is exactly the same amp....but with a remote and it's about $150 more expensive. Ridiculous. |
New member Username: Destro713
Chicago,
IL
U.S.A.
Post Number: 8
Registered: Jul-04
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| Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 06:51 pm: |
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What about sonic performance though? I know the Rotel amp is highly regarded, but I've seen people call it bright. And I haven't been able to find any info about the Cambridge line's sonic "signature."
The remote control thing doesn't bother me too much. |
Silver Member Username: Valeem
Post Number: 116
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 07:23 am: |
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Destro & Ethan,
I did compare the NAD and Cambridge amps you are looking at a while back. They are both nice sounding amps but have quite different sonic characteristics. You really should try to arrange a demo, ideally at home, to see which one suites your equipment and tastes.
I did not audition the Rotel amp as it's lack of remote put me off but sonically it's worthy of inclusion as both the reviews and feedback from those who have heard it are generally favourable.
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/10807.html |
Silver Member Username: Sun_king
Leeds,
West Yorkshire
UK
Post Number: 128
Registered: Mar-04
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| Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 08:14 am: |
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The Rotel is very forward sounding and 'bright' but has a nice bass. The Cambridge Azur line are very very warm with what can only be described as a thick mid-band. Not a lot of treble and not a lot of bass in my opinion. Nad are somewhere inbetween. |
