Shmacko Posted October 31, 2019 Share Posted October 31, 2019 (edited) Hi guys, I would like to ask for advice in terms of purchasing my first integrated stereo amp to power bookshelf speakers in the likes of a KEF Q350 etc (which is on my shortlist). My budget for the amp is sub $1000 and one of the features that it must have is Wifi streaming. I’m planning to have the setup in a small to medium sized lounge area. I came across 2 amps and would like some input in terms of which one is a better unit i.e sound, power etc. Otherwise also open to others suggestions/recommendations. 1) Yamaha R-N602 2) NAD C 338 Hybrid Cheers! Jack Edited November 1, 2019 by Shmacko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irek Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 At that price I would go with Rega Brio + YAMAHA WXC-50 streamer + $40+ RCA cable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmacko Posted November 1, 2019 Author Share Posted November 1, 2019 3 hours ago, Irek said: At that price I would go with Rega Brio + YAMAHA WXC-50 streamer + $40+ RCA cable. Thankyou! Good suggestion will look into it. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cafad Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 There are still a few Myryad Z240 units on ebay for under $400. An excellent amp at that price, should leave you a few bucks to buy your choice of streamer. The Myryads are a higher current amp than they have any right to be and work quite well with KEF LS-50s so I'm assuming a similar level of matching with the Q350's. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmacko Posted November 1, 2019 Author Share Posted November 1, 2019 26 minutes ago, Cafad said: There are still a few Myryad Z240 units on ebay for under $400. An excellent amp at that price, should leave you a few bucks to buy your choice of streamer. The Myryads are a higher current amp than they have any right to be and work quite well with KEF LS-50s so I'm assuming a similar level of matching with the Q350's. Thanks will have a look! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaban Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 Hi @Shmacko I'd get the Yamaha, a bit more grunt than the NAD and in my experience a better match to the KEFs. On top of that, the MusicCast app is getting really good, easy to use. Solid choice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunno77 Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 I wouldn't go near either. At 1k I'd be trying to find something like used a Cyrus One HD or Cambridge Audio CXA60 and then buy a Chromecast Audio This is light years ahead of the Yamaha or Nad. Rega Brio is a good option but I think this is a better solution with a Chromecast with the built in dac and Bluetooth. Cyrus just announce a Cyrus with Chromecast built in but more expensive 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmacko Posted November 1, 2019 Author Share Posted November 1, 2019 Thankyou for your valuable inputs everyone. Really appreciate it. Will definitely look into everything that has been suggested. How would the Brio compare to the Myryad Z240 or Cyrus ? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunno77 Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 1 hour ago, Shmacko said: Thankyou for your valuable inputs everyone. Really appreciate it. Will definitely look into everything that has been suggested. How would the Brio compare to the Myryad Z240 or Cyrus ? Cheers The Regas are great just don't have an inbuilt DAC Dac or not I would still buy the Cyrus one myself 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmacko Posted November 9, 2019 Author Share Posted November 9, 2019 At this moment i think im heading in the direction of finding a used Rega Brio (please let me know if there’s one for sale ) I’ve just purchased a Node 2i so that should sort all my streaming worries. I’m not 100% convinced on the Cyrus.. but have heard amazing reviews on the little Brio. I wonder how the Brio will power speakers in the likes of 4 ohm Totems i.e Arro’s and hawks? Jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 31 minutes ago, Shmacko said: At this moment i think im heading in the direction of finding a used Rega Brio (please let me know if there’s one for sale ) I’ve just purchased a Node 2i so that should sort all my streaming worries. I’m not 100% convinced on the Cyrus.. but have heard amazing reviews on the little Brio. I wonder how the Brio will power speakers in the likes of 4 ohm Totems i.e Arro’s and hawks? Jack. They are really nice sounding amps and the phono stage (is you have an MM cart ) is also great, however they are 50WPC rated and only puts out 73 into a 4 ohm load so I wouldn't be using it with 4 ohm rated speakers . Below is a quote from part of a Stereophile review "It's specified to produce 50Wpc into 8 ohms or 73Wpc into 4 ohms with both channels driven—the manual warns potential headbangers and mosh-pitters that "Continued high-level use into 4 ohms may cause the case to exceed 40°C above the ambient temperature." The Brio may have a class-AB output stage, but this black beauty ran very warm to the touch—almost hot." (end of quote ) So yes, it sounds great for efficient speakers with a benign impedance but I would avoid anything even remotely challenging. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmacko Posted November 9, 2019 Author Share Posted November 9, 2019 Ah I see, that’s good to know and thanks for explaining. The hunt continues... Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunno77 Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 I used to sell Rega Brios. I'd buy Cyrus but many others too. Always best to listen for yourself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmacko Posted November 9, 2019 Author Share Posted November 9, 2019 1 hour ago, Bunno77 said: I used to sell Rega Brios. I'd buy Cyrus but many others too. Always best to listen for yourself Yeah true, best to have a listen. I guess anything is better than my current old Pioneer AVR setup with tiny micro Hifi speakers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunno77 Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 1 minute ago, Shmacko said: Yeah true, best to have a listen. I guess anything is better than my current old Pioneer AVR setup with tiny micro Hifi speakers. Haha yep anything 2 channel is better than the common avr brands 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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