Grip

Any updates Dustin? Trying to figure out an amp/preamp upgrade for me new Forte 3s... although they certainly dont sound terrible with my meager Yamaha RN303 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Tube noob here. Have Forte IIIs on the way. Which tube amp kit and tube compliment is going to give me the best, tightest, fullest bass response? I’m a bass player so I’m always listening in to whatever the bass player is doing... whether it be rock, reggae, soul, hip hop, country, but also jazz and classical. Truly everything. 14x18 room, 10’ ceilings, carpeted. Sources are Denon DP300 TT and Apple Music (possibly Tidal in future), via either Apple Airport Express or something like a Bluesound Node 2i. Or perhaps the newish Yamaha 500 turntable that has Airplay 2 built in so no need for input switching.... but that’s a conversation for another forum and another day. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

After some more research, Here is my revised list of considerations to drive the new Forte iiis and include Airplay 2: Denon DRA 800h Marantz PM 7000n Marantz NR1200 Sonos Amp Denon is cheapest and has all the features, 100w/ch 8ohms, but it’s rather ugly. Both Marantz are the nice slim design, generally stellar reputation but lower wattage, more expensive and slightly less features than Denon. The Pm7000n is pulled from the higher end audio line, vs the NR1200 being build from the AVR architecture. I don’t need all the HDMI inputs for what it’s worth. I understand both Marantz and Denon are made by same company now. Sonos Amp is a bit of a dark horse... middle cost, 125w, slick integration and stark simplicity. One feature I’ve never used is “loudness”. Supposedly makes lower volume listening more fun. That would be nice. Have young kids who are always barely asleep. Does it really work or make that much of a difference? Not sure if the Sonos does that, but Denon & Marantz both have their own flavor.

After some more research, Here is my revised list of considerations to drive the new Forte iiis and include Airplay 2: Denon DRA 800h Marantz PM 7000n Marantz NR1200 Sonos Amp Denon is cheapest and has all the features, 100w/ch 8ohms, but it’s rather ugly. Both Marantz are the nice slim design, generally stellar reputation but lower wattage, more expensive and slightly less features than Denon. The Pm7000n is pulled from the higher end audio line, vs the NR1200 being build from the AVR architecture. I don’t need all the HDMI inputs for what it’s worth. I understand both Marantz and Denon are made by same company now. Sonos Amp is a bit of a dark horse... middle cost, 125w, slick integration and stark simplicity. One feature I’ve never used is “loudness”. Supposedly makes lower volume listening more fun. That would be nice. Have young kids who are always barely asleep. Does it really work or make that much of a difference? Not sure if the Sonos does that, but Denon & Marantz both have their own flavor.

Lastly... dare I say it... What about the Sonos Amp?! 125 watts per channel, one input for the turntable, sub out, and great connectivity with Airplay 2 and their own Sonos system. What’s cool about that is it will even cast the vinyl source to other Sonos speakers. No idea about sound quality tho... Any experience out there? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yup. About 50/50 vinyl and streaming. Have a newer Denon that I just upgraded with a Grado cartridge.

Thanks! That’s kindof my plan anyway. Just thinking out loud here looking for any hands on experience with either. I don’t think the RN803 has airplay 2 but might get a firmware update... One last wrinkle... what about a vintage Sansui instead? My father had a 8080 and we grew up blasting Frank Zappa, Zeppelin, Tull, etc. I know I can get a good, professionally serviced one for around the same price, then just add an Apple Airport Express. I guess I’d be losing the dedicated sub out too, but still could make it work.

Hey friends. While I await my Forte iii to arrive, I’m pondering and amp upgrade. Currently have a Yamaha RN303. Also Denon turntable with Grado cartridge, and stream mostly Apple Music directly to the Yammy. I’ve been a bass player on and off for a while so generally listen to bass heavy music, and really listen in to the bass lines, kick drums, peddle tones... all that low end goodness. Of course I’ll give the RN303 a shot with just the Forte’s, but I’m expecting I will prob want to move my subwoofer down from my surround sound setup (from another room). It’s a BK Electronics Gemini II, so it has its own high filter, etc. So reason for upgrade would include a dedicated subwoofer out and some sort of bass management. Also would like to gain Airplay 2. So how about Yamaha RN803 or Marantz PM7000n? Anything else in that under $1k price range that would have built in AirPlay 2, sub out, etc etc?