Just ordered NuForce STA-200

My B&K st140 is getting long in the tooth. Now, when I play at medium volume, the amp is sounding more compressed and smeary. For the last year it only happened at high volumes. Anyway, I am going to go higher end for amp/pre/dac toward end of the year on my main system (I'm keeping my ZU Omen defs). At the same time, after minor remodel, adding a small system in master bedroom. I figure the Nuprime was too good to pass up for $499 and should be a fine addition for my bedroom and I'll move my current NOVA pre there as well. The amp seems to be discontinued, thus big price break. Nice review on TAS.

Anyone have this amp?

Optoma NuForce STA200 Power Amplifier

 

Seems like a great price for nice amp. Interested in how it compares to your B&K. Keep us posted.

 

Will do

 

Basically a Job 225 with half the output transistors. That should be a very nice amp!

 

The Optoma NuForce Looks like a pretty decent amp for the money. I look forward to your review if you get it.

 

For $499, it's worth a try. The Job 225 gets great reviews. The newer components are class d or geared toward HT

 

80 watts per channel is plenty for my Zu Omen Defs (101db). I'm curious what $1299 (now $499) gets you these days. I have not purchased a new amp (as in brand new) in 20 years (outside a new Elite AV receiver about 15 years ago.

 

With the gain of the STA-200 & your Zu Omen Defs, you could easily run a passive pre. It's always nice to have options.

 

Passive would be something to explore. Not many with a remote

 

True.

The Tortuga units do. I like mine, but they're not for everybody.

Please let us know how you get along with your new amp!

 

I'll receive today. Hopefully, I'll have time to hook it up.

 

The amp arrived and I hooked it up. Remember, I am coming from a 30 year old mid fi B&k amp. So differences may not be as drastic as something newer. Also remember, I have not fully broken in. Initial observations are from removing from box and plugging in.

1. Amp is heavy and built like a tank

2. Soundstage goes beyond speakers. Much better than I had before. Each instrument has its place and depth. Vocals float in front of soundstage. Elvis- Such A Night feels like he is in front of the band.

3. Veil lifted off sound compared to B&k. B&k was really warm sounding. The sound worked fantastic for classic jazz, classical and pre 80's rock. However, modern rock music, unless acoustic, sounded muffled. The Nuforce sounds great for both the Older and modern music. The highs ar not brittle, which is what I was afraid of with my Zu tweeters.

4. Low end deep and tight. The B&k had a loose, bloated low end which worked quite well for old material. The Word Hurricane by AIR goes deep and sounds as if it were recorded today.

5. 80 watts per channel and I feel the headroom is excellent. Cranked up..no compression or strain. I feel I could give it more. The 110 watt B&k petered out when pushed ( could be due to age). The Zu's have 101db efficiency.

Here is What is - album by Daniel Lanois is a bass/ low end lover's dream. This Nuforce amp really allows you to feel those deep tones.

This amp is truly, in my opinion, is a $1300 amp ( original msrp). The $499 price is a STEAL. I suggest pick one up.

 

Sweet!

 

Another observation, the amp is dead quiet. Faint musical passages come out of pure blackness.

I have a Pioneer EQ hooked up for night low level listening. I just boost low end slightly. Basically, I use it as a loudness switch. The nuforce amp- Zu speaker combo really highlights the noise that the EQ brings. Not so much with the B&K. When I hit the EQ bypass switch ( true bypass) it goes dead quiet.

I'll update as it breaks in more.

I have to say, I could be really happy with this amp in my main system. I think when I set out for a higher end amp ( and pre/Dac) later this year, the bar is now much higher.

Now there's only 5 left
https://www.amazon.com/NuForce-STA200-160-watt-Power-Amplifier-Swiss-design/dp/B01552AKCU

 

I did another round of listening after 24 hours of continuous power and music playing in background. The amp seems to be more "silky" and the low end seems more rounded. I did not think the amp would improve much over time. However, there is an improvement that I can hear. I did my late night listening with my EQ turned on (I use the eq as a loudness switch for late night listening-slight low end boost). I quickly bypassed the eq off since the low end now seemed too much. Solo piano music seems to come from nowhere.

I'm really thrilled with this amp and can only imagine how much better the right higher end amp (and Pre) will sound when I shop for one this fall/winter.

Again, I'm coming from a 30+ year old amp...so differences may not be as drastic with something newer.

 

Sounds like it sounds nice!

One thing to be aware of with that amp when choosing a preamp. If presented with DC at it's inputs, the STA-200 (& the Job amps) will amplify that DC and pass it on to your speakers. Most tube preamps have coupling capacitors to prevent this. Many amps have some sort of DC protection too, the STA-200 does not. This is not an issue unless a tubed component upstream does put some DC into the signal. Most modern tubed units have taken precautions to prevent this, but it is something to be aware of.

Not trying to be an alarmist!

 

I'm glad you said something. Could you maybe explain in more "dummy" terms? Is this more of a protection thing or does it add lots of noise?

 

This looks like a really nice preamp for the money. Not really finding these listed anywhere for sale in the US

Pro-Ject Pre Box DS2 Analogue: select your source and control the volume of your active speakers from the tip of your fingers!

They also have a digital version
StereoLife Magazine - Pro-Ject Pre Box DS2 Digital

 

First of all, this is only a issue with certain tubed sources.

If the tubed unit were to pass DC to the STA-200, the STA-200 would amplify that DC and damage the loudspeakers. Not good!

 

Those both look interesting.

 

The Schiit Saga might work well with that amp at $349.

Remote control, passive or tubed/hybrid buffered output.

Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.

 

I just saw your portfolio. Nice work!

 

Thanks. I was actually thinking Freya as well. If I upgraded to an amp with Balanced inputs

 

I have one.

Emotiva did make a nice one with four RCA inputs (the last one is their SS phono pre) and it has a remote. I just went to the Emotiva web site to give you a direct link here, but they have completely redone their site and it appears that this product is no longer being offered, but you could contact them, maybe they sill have a few in stock.

As long as you have all line level outputs, you really don't need a preamp as such.

I have a analog remote volume control from Emotiva, which is no longer being offered. I have it connected between the tube preamp and the third tube power amp so I always have the volume control at my fingertips.

 

BTW... I use an iNova as a DAC, preamp and as a central point of control, so it is being used similar to your pre. In addition I have two pairs of speakers, which are switchable, through an A/B switch, and one of my front speakers are Zu Omen Definitions (MK I).