Upgrading receiver: Got a pair of Dynaudio Sapphires+NAD C740


Hi,

I recently upgraded from Totem Staafs to Dynaudio Sapphires and of course love the new speakers. I believe my receiver is not doing justice to the speakers and need to upgrade. My budget at this time is $1500. Here are my constraints and questions:
1) If it is worth upgrading from NAD c740 to a higher end Stereo receiver?
2) I need a receiver with ability to drive two pairs of speakers (main dynaudios and other ones are totems in another room). Any suggestions?

ray_sonya
They like power and current to sound their best.  Receivers and integrated amp  are challenged to do that in general and still have low noise and distortion due to close proximity of circuits to power transformers.  But I have heard recent integrated amps do it quite well.  I have bel canto c5i that would do nicely unless you listen very loud.   It has everything in one small box and is amazingly quiet and low distortion.   Rogue Pharoah would be my ideal integrated for speakers like those but that would stretch your budget even used most likely.   Class D audio power amp and preamp of your choice is another I would consider were it me.  The more power and current you can squeeze in your budget the better. 
Bel canto c7i is a step up from c5i and is a receiver.  You can find them used on occasion here for under 2k. 

OK let me get this straight. You bought a pair of Dynaudio Sapphires and you only want to spend $1500 on a amp to drive them? GOOD LUCK my friend. The Dynaudios need major power to open up and NOT tube power either, these babies require Solid State Power! This site has some one selling a McIntosh MC352 $3300, this would be the kind of amplifier that would allow you to really see what the Dyns are capable of. Great speaker choice :-) now get the amp right and you wont be sorry.


Matt M
Suggest you find a used high power integrated amp for the Dynaudio's. Use the NAD for the Totems.
 You can't have it all in one box for your budget.
I have had Dynaudio Focus 140, Contour 1.4se, and Confidence C1. The comments regarding ss power and current is right on. With my Confidence C1's I found beautiful synergy with Simaudio I-7 integrated. Apparently you are not thinking of preamp, power amp separates. No problem, but with all due respect, give up the notion of a receiver.
I see there is an I-7 currently for sale here on Audiogon, (I have no knowledge of the seller). If I had a pair of Sapphires I would run straight to conclude a deal to buy it. Be ready to take a selfie when you power it up with the Dyns. Your initial smile will be memorable.