A Sound Foundation
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday February 26, 2001
The amplifier is the heart of any audio system, so choose carefully before you buy. Rod Easdown offers a few tips on what to look for.
THE amplifier is the basic building block of an audio system, yet it's the component that receives the least attention from buyers. It deserves more. As one salesperson put it, the amplifier is the engine of the car it keeps the whole thing moving.
While it's hard to get passionate when they all seem much the same, there are audible differences. You have to listen hard (closing your eyes helps) but you will notice differences, especially in style, when you flip between different amplifiers while keeping the CD player and the speakers constant. Good audio shops can set this up.
Sound quality is only one issue. How big is the room? The bigger it is, the more power you need. In an apartment, 25 watts RMS per channel is quite adequate, but if you live open plan with high ceilings you need some serious clout (and some large speakers). How many sets of speakers do you want to run? Is a remote necessary, or can you get by with the CD player's remote? Do you want a headphone socket? What about an input for a turntable (they're becoming uncommon)? Remember: in hi-fi, more equals less. The more features you buy, the less performance you get for your dollars.
A good salesperson will ask about the size of your room, the other equipment you'll be connecting to the amplifier and how much you want to spend. The brand's reputation is important and so are warranty and build quality. Check how the controls feel, run the tone knobs from one extreme to the other listening for how smoothly the change in sound is effected, even pick the amp up and feel the weight. Listen to the options with an open mind and audition the models that meet your needs best.
If you're a super-critical listener look for a tone-defeat switch. This reroutes the signal to bypass the tone controls, providing a shorter signal path and less noise. Not that noise is a big problem these days there are very few dud amplifiers out there and you can pick most of those because their prices are well below the reputable brands.
In this comparison I looked at amplifiers that provide good sound quality and features, and have enough flexibility to let a system grow around them. If you're starting a system with an amplifier like this you'd probably spend $400 to $600 on speakers and $250 to $400 on a CD player, for a $1,100 to $1,500 system giving sound quality well beyond anything from a one-brand system at the same price. You can also plug in the TV, and adding components is usually just a matter of buying the right cables.
Finally, some quick advice: Make sure your components are well ventilated. They generate heat and if air can't circulate freely, soldered connections tend to dry out and eventually fail. If your system is in a tight cabinet leave the doors open while it's on or you could halve its life expectancy.
info file
Denon
1800 642 922
www.audioproducts.com.au
NAD
9669 3477
www.audioproducts.com.au
Yamaha
1800 805 413
www.yamaha.com
Testing was carried out with the assistance of The Hi Fi Trader, 142 King Street, Newtown.
Three contenders
I wanted a flexible amplifier for less than $500 to serve as the cornerstone of a growing audio system. Each amplifier was tested with a $1,100 Denon CD player and $650 Krix Equinox speakers, and each had separate bass, treble and balance controls and a tone-defeat switch.
Denon PMA255UK (pictured left)
This is a basic amplifier of 25 watts RMS per channel driving a single set of speakers. It does not have a remote control but there's a headphone plug. The sound is accurate and spacious with a wide soundstage and good body, and it's great with more clinical music, such as a voice accompanied by one or two instruments or a lone violin.
Price: $499
Yamaha AX396
This has generous features, including a remote control and switching for two sets of speakers, and 50 watts per channel is great for $450. It's also nicely built. The sound is quite bright not outstanding anywhere but not poor anywhere either. This one is a highly competent all-rounder and if you have wide musical tastes it does a good job.
Price: $450
NAD C300
The much cheaper sibling of the immensely successful C320, this has a basic remote (volume and mute only) and is the nicest looking of the lot. It's rated at 25 watts per channel and drives a single set of speakers. The sound is smooth and pleasant with good lows. It goes well with classical music but also handles dance and rock nicely.
Price: $499
The verdict
For value and flexibility you can't go past the Yamaha, and it's beautifully built. For sound quality, the Denon was my pick over the NAD and the Yamaha, in that order. But it's a close thing.
© 2001 Sydney Morning Herald