Suggestions for an amp for CBM170SE in a bedroom system

[just4surf]

I currently own the CBM170SE and was enjoying it as my mains. I am now moving it to my bedroom for my setup there. I am looking for some recomendations for a good amp/ receiver that will go well with this speaker. I was also considering an entry level tube amp. Has anyone tried this combo? . My budget for the amp is around $350. The options I see from my research are Marantz, NAD, Cambridge Audio, TEAC and tube amp from NAPA accoustic. I will mostly be using it for night time listening so will not be using it for any heavy stuff. Thanks in advance.

Vic

[cel4145]

I'm running mine with an HK 3390 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=554380&Q=&is=REG&A=details) coupled with an ODAC (http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=46) for music out from my computer, and the 170s sound great!

[just4surf]

I'm running mine with an HK 3390 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=554380&Q=&is=REG&A=details) coupled with an ODAC (http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=46) for music out from my computer, and the 170s sound great!

Thanks for the response. I had it running via my HK3490. They sound great together, but my HK3490 needs to stay in the living room. I am hoping to have a smaller form factor amp preferably with a slighly warmer and smoother characteristics for my bedroom setup.

[cel4145]

I don't know about "warmer," but for smaller footprint, the Emotiva mini-X a-100 (http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/a100) could be worth a look.

[just4surf]

Thanks for the suggestion. This looks like an interesting option. I will see if this works out for my setup. The other thing I probably did not mention was that I was hoping the CD player and the amp would be matching so that they are aesthetically similar. It is easier for WAF.

[Mag_Neato]

Thanks for the suggestion. This looks like an interesting option. I will see if this works out for my setup. The other thing I probably did not mention was that I was hoping the CD player and the amp would be matching so that they are aesthetically similar. It is easier for WAF.

I was thinking of the little Emotiva amp as well. They do make a CD player which would have the same cosmetics.

[Dark Ranger]

I use the Emotiva mini-X amp for my 170 SE pair in my bedroom. I also have the Emotiva CD player and DAC which provides a similar appearance.

Performance-wise, the mini-X is fantastic--it sounds like a real amp with plenty of current. My previous Onkyo 2-channel receiver sounded anemic by comparison. I wouldn't say the mini-X is warm, but rather neutral. It also has a certain smoothness that my previous Onkyo lacked. The sensitivity of the 170 SE combined with the small room (~1,000 cu. ft.) means that 50 watts from the mini-X is enough to drive me out of the room if necessary. However, 99% of my listening is below 80 dBC so it's no problem. Great sound without breaking the bank. The integrated volume control is also very handy. I can recommend the mini-X for this application. It's a real amplifier in a small package. :)

The only minor quibble is that the volume potentiometer (like nearly all potentiometers) runs into a slight channel imbalance below a certain point. On the mini-X, the volume knob starts around 7 o'clock. From 7 o'clock to 9 o'clock, one channel could measure slightly lower than the other. Above 9 o'clock, though, there is no issue at all. The 7-9 o'clock levels are extremely quiet, so unless you're pushing high voltage to the mini-X from your preamp, you won't be in this range anyway. Again, this "issue" is not uncommon with most potentiometers available today.

Here's a pic of my room so you can see the size comparison of the mini-X amp (top component) versus the "full size" Emotiva CD player and DAC: http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh540/darkranger762/Bedroom%20stereo/IMG_0315.jpg

This is an older picture, and I've since routed the speaker cable through the integrated wire channels in the speaker stands themselves to improve aesthetics.

I understand the desire to match your components appearance-wise, and I've taken a similar approach as you can see in the pic. However, there has been customer feedback to Emotiva about offering a line of electronics in the mini-X form factor. The company has announced they are designing a preamp, amp, and integrated amp in the same basic footprint as the mini-X amp, as well as a CD player/transport. The company posted several images to show what they had been working on.

I only mention this because if you like the smaller "lifestyle" systems, this might be something to consider instead of the full-sized components. No info on ETA because these are still in development, but they will likely be brought to the market based on customer requests. Let me know if you want to see the pics.

If the Emotiva products aren't what you're looking for, you might consider an integrated unit or even another HK. If you want a warmer sound, you might have to look into tube amplifiers and that's an area I'm not familiar with.

[just4surf]

Thanks Mag_Neato and DarkRanger for your suggestion on the emotiva.

Thanks Dark Ranger for posting a pic. It really helped me get a better idea. The mini-X is definitely attractive to me due to its good price and value proposition. The CD player is beyond my budget and also it is also full size as compared to the compact amp. I am still deciding on which way to go. If emotiva is coming up with a compact CD player, I can definitely buy the amp now and get the CD player later.

DarkRanger, Can you please share the pics you have on their upcoming produts?

Also, I don't want to try another HK. I want to experiment with something different. I was looking at other integrated as well, but the amp+CD player with same form factor is going beyond my budget.

[Dark Ranger]

Here is the thread (http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=amps&thread=28455&page=1#484164) about the mini-X-sized components as requested. This was started by an Emotiva staff member. The pics are in that first post and the rest of the thread is discussion by the forum members. While not pictured in the first post, the CTO mentioned they're also working on a prototype CD player/transport to match.

These products are still under development, but the pics should give you an idea of what's coming. You'll notice the aesthetics are different than the current mini-X, but the form factor is similar. The silver side panels can be removed from the mini-X if desired.

I wish I could offer specific suggestions from the other brands you mentioned, but I haven't tried the stuff from NAD, Cambridge, etc.

[rsmt2000]

My budget for the amp is around $350


I am hoping to have a smaller form factor amp preferably with a slighly warmer and smoother characteristics for my bedroom setup


Did you look at Marantz NR1403 slimline?. It retails at $399 but you can get it from accessories4less.com for $319. It could fill in both your requirements( form factor and warmer sound). Just my 2 cents.

[Dark Ranger]

Forum member sonicboom (http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/member.php?12169-sonicboom) just bought a NR1403 (http://us.marantz.com/us/products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=avreceivers&ProductId=NR1403) a few weeks ago. You might drop him a line and see how he's liking it. Initial impressions were positive.

It's a full-blown receiver, so it'll be larger overall than a small integrated unit or the mini-X.


NR1403 dimensions (W x H x D)

17-3/8" x 4-3/16" x 14-1/2" (inches)

[cel4145]

The Marantz slimlines are slim in height but have a similar footprint to full-sized AVRs. Their design seems to benefit shelving situations where a full receiver won't fit in terms of height.

If you want really small, there's also the Audioengine N22 and NuForce Icon-2 to look at. Although I would expect the Emotiva mini-X to be the better overall amp.

[just4surf]

Did you look at Marantz NR1403 slimline?. It retails at $399 but you can get it from accessories4less.com for $319. It could fill in both your requirements( form factor and warmer sound). Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the suggestion. I did look at the marantz integrated and liked those but those were on the higher side pricewise. I did not look at NR1403. It might work for me but for the width and depth. The height is definitely on the lesser side. I will keep my options open on this one.

[just4surf]

Forum member sonicboom (http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/member.php?12169-sonicboom) just bought a NR1403 (http://us.marantz.com/us/products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=avreceivers&ProductId=NR1403) a few weeks ago. You might drop him a line and see how he's liking it. Initial impressions were positive.

It's a full-blown receiver, so it'll be larger overall than a small integrated unit or the mini-X.


NR1403 dimensions (W x H x D)

17-3/8" x 4-3/16" x 14-1/2" (inches)

Yes, you are correct. It is a regular size reciever with smaller height. I will PM sonicboom

[just4surf]

The Marantz slimlines are slim in height but have a similar footprint to full-sized AVRs. Their design seems to benefit shelving situations where a full receiver won't fit in terms of height.

If you want really small, there's also the Audioengine N22 and NuForce Icon-2 to look at. Although I would expect the Emotiva mini-X to be the better overall amp.

Yes, The emotiva mini-x seems like a good option. I emailed emotiva to see if they have an ETA on the CD player.

[just4surf]

Just thought I will update you guys since you responded with suggestions. I finally went with a T amp that I found in Parts express from Topping. I have been listening this evening and sound is very satisfactory. It has also a inbuilt USB DAC and so, I listened through that and this time the CBM170 really sounded like a studio monitor more than it did with my HK3490. Overall very pleasing sound, esp for a bedroom setup. My wife also likes the form factor :). It is almost the size of my external hard disk. Only negative is that it does not come with a remote. But, I am happy for now. Thanks for your suggestions.

Vic

[cel4145]

That's great :)

Which model Topping did you end up with?

[just4surf]

That's great :)

Which model Topping did you end up with?

It is the Topping TP30