Topic: Amp Recs

[jpschust]

Well, I got Lee's Maggies and they look amazing, however I don't have an amp to push them :-P  Todd gave me some good ideas with Acurus and a few others, however I'm seeing what else other people are using.  

I need an amp that is rated to 4 ohms and gives at least 70W per channel, however I'd prefer more than that to really push these.  Something closer to 100 would be better.  

After doing a lot of reading, I'd like to keep it in the solid state catergory as well.  

I'd like to keep it below 300 if i can.

Suggestions?

Jonny

[Wes]

below $300? or below 300W?

[jpschust]

below $300 if possible, if not right around there.

[Wes]

Here's several good choices from audiogon:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1082851761

Not easy to find class A under $500 >>
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1082695361

An Integrated>>
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1082412428

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1082107766

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1081050252

[jpschust]

thank you so much +T

[Craig T]

I had an Acurus amp for awhile.  It was ok, but was bested by the Arcam and B&K amps I had afterwards.  $300 is a tough price point.  Do you have a preamp you like?  If you're not married to the pre, maybe sell it to increase your budget and go with an integrated?  

In the $300 range, the only thing I can recommend is the Panasonic SA-XR50 or SA-XR70 - a home theater receiver with that uses digital amps.  Might be closer to $400, but that's as cheap as anything I can recommend.  I have the now discontinued SA-XR45 and it sounds rediculous for being so inexpensive - far more detail using the digital inputs than my $3k Sonic Fronteir pre + B&K power combo.  Not as smooth in the highs, but low end is super extended and controled.  How can you beat a nice sounding preamp + d/a + power amp (6 channels!) for <$400?  can't.  You might want to check eBay, AudioCircle, and AudioGon for a used XR45.

http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.process?RestartFlow=t&Section_Id=1&Product_Id=3964405

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=amp&n=39529&highlight=MMG&r=&session=

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=mug&n=58617&highlight=panasonic&r=&session=

[leegeddy]

jp;

look at some of those Adcom amps in Audiogon.  for the $ range, they are nice amps.

marc

[jpschust]

i just got todd's tube pre :-)

[Craig T]

i just got todd's tube pre :-)

then nevermind about the Panny deal - if you're going the tube route, you're best bet would be an older respectable SS amp with about 100wpc.  Try to pick up that B&K st140 for $250.  I liked my SF tube pre> B&K 140 combo on the MMG's.  Should keep you plenty happy until you have a bigger budget to play with - and when you do you should have no problem selling the amp for close to what you paid.

[jpschust]

so that b&k pushed the mmg's enough?

[Craig T]

so that b&k pushed the mmg's enough?

definitely.  the MMG's ran out of steam before the amps (the ribbons start hitting the frame and it all goes to shit about at about 100db).  I did have the mono version, but I think it was the same wattage, just twice the cap value per channel and of course the advantage of individual power supplies for each channel.

[jpschust]

i just sent him an email about the b&k :-)  thanks!

[Craig T]

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?p=73606#73606&sid=2f3e2d06f5ee65232213d2ddd62b250a

another used B&K, better low end than the st140's but not as warm in the mids.

[scb]

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1082107766

[Sugarite]

I wouldn't worry too much about the 4 Ohm rating, any decent 60W solid-state amp will give you close to 100W at 4 Ohms safely.  I've driven Apogee Stage ribbon speakers (0.5 Ohms) with a Hafler DH-220 with no trouble.