Please, someone help urgently!

[marantz1]

Hi, I am looking at a soundstream Van Gogh 320.4 amp for my Sony CDXF7700 source unit. My question which I haven't been able to find anything on for hours on the internet, is that the SS amp states that it has balanced line RCA inputs - however does this mean that the deck must supply a balanced pre-out (or use of a transmitter/receiver to convert unbalanced to balance). I am not sure if this amp would work with the unbalanced pre-out of the source HU. I am looking at buying this amp from ebay and the listing is ending in 2 hours !! If I don't get an answer I might have to consider the Audiobahn DUB5004 instead of the soundstream.

If anyone can please help, I would really really appreciate it.

Thanks.

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[req 5,000+ posts]

balanced inputs are a 'feature' on most - if not all amps. just use regular RCA cords, and connect them where it says "input" and you will be done.

dont worry about the balanced inputs. you will be fine.

 

[marantz1]

Thank-you very much for your response.

Just a final question.

Do you recommend the SoundStream Van Gogh amp or the Audiobahn DUB5004?

The soundstream has S/N of 115db and is 80W x 4 into 4 ohms

The Audiobahn has S/N of 100db and is 75W x 4 into 4 ohms

I haven't had neither brand before and I am not sure. Have heard that power acoustik has bought out SS and am a bit reluctant ... but others swear by them.

Any opinion from anyone appreciated.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

balanced inputs are a 'feature' on most - if not all amps.

Actually, the number of amps that offer the ability to run balanced inputs are rather limited.

Do you recommend the SoundStream Van Gogh amp or the Audiobahn DUB5004?

Soundstream all the way. Do not buy anything audiobahn or swarms of locus will overwhelm the earth.

I haven't had neither brand before and I am not sure. Have heard that power acoustik has bought out SS and am a bit reluctant ... but others swear by them.

They aren't what they used to be....but not bad still

 

[paikiah 5,000+ posts]

And some high end amps only feature balanced input. Some high end decks only have balanced out too. If either one is bought without the other, you can get converters to allow RCA's to be used.