Hello everybody,
I am looking for a new amp to replace my Yamaha RX396 Receiver which I consider as the weakest link in my audio chain by now. I am playing records (mostly Rock and Metal, but also Pop, Jazz and Folk) on a Rega RP1 with a Ortofon 2M Blue through a Graham Slee GramAmp 2 SE, and on the other side there is a pair of Dynaudio Emit M20s. Apart fom that, I use a Raspberry Pi with a Hifiberry DAC to stream FLAC files and Spotify and I also have a Yamaha BluRay-Player that I use for CDs as well (I am also looking for a decent CD-Player, but that's another topic). While I am far from disliking what I get out of this combo, I was wondering if a new amp could improve the sound significantly.
So why the Brio? Firstly, my HiFi dealer recommends it and it's in my budget. It's not that I don't trust him, but with expenses in this price range I like hearing multiple opinions. Secondly, I like Rega's minimal approach. It has no integrated DAC, no Loudness meter and apart from the integrated phono preamp it has no other frills I don't need. Thirdly, I remember reading posts of people saying how much they like how the Brio drives the Emits, but I can't find them anymore.
My only concern up until now is that the Emits have an impedance of 4Ω, and though the Brio is specified for 4Ω speakers they say that "Continued high level use into 4Ω may cause the case to exceed 40° C above the ambient temperature." Now I don't know what they mean by "Continued high level use". Volume is very subjective, but I consider myself as someone not liking "loud" music too much (I wear earbuds on concerts and very often I prefer the reduced volume I am getting through them). Apart from that, if someday I might find out that the 4 high level inputs are not enough for me, I will be fine getting an external DAC for connecting the digital stuff, but that is also another topic.
So what do you guys think? Can anybody tell me about the temperature using the Brio with 4Ω speakers? Or do you have any other concerns or recommendations?
Thank you very much,
Martin