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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: jpschust on February 27, 2004, 04:40:26 PM

Title: Amp Recs
Post by: jpschust on February 27, 2004, 04:40:26 PM: 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
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: Wes on February 27, 2004, 05:27:08 PM: below $300? or below 300W?
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: jpschust on February 27, 2004, 05:29:57 PM: below $300 if possible, if not right around there.
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: Wes on February 27, 2004, 05:44:19 PM: Here's several good choices from audiogon:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1082851761 (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 (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&1082412428)

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

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1081050252
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: jpschust on February 27, 2004, 05:53:09 PM: thank you so much +T
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: Craig T on February 27, 2004, 06:08:35 PM: 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://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=amp&n=39529&highlight=MMG&r=&session=)

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=mug&n=58617&highlight=panasonic&r=&session= (http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=mug&n=58617&highlight=panasonic&r=&session=)
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: leegeddy on February 27, 2004, 06:09:50 PM: jp;

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

marc
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: jpschust on February 27, 2004, 06:19:13 PM: i just got todd's tube pre :-)
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: Craig T on February 27, 2004, 06:27:31 PM: Quote from: jpschust on February 27, 2004, 06:19:13 PM
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.
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: jpschust on February 27, 2004, 07:14:39 PM: so that b&k pushed the mmg's enough?
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: Craig T on February 28, 2004, 03:59:37 PM: Quote from: jpschust on February 27, 2004, 07:14:39 PM
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.
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: jpschust on February 28, 2004, 06:29:20 PM: i just sent him an email about the b&k :-) thanks!
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: Craig T on March 01, 2004, 10:04:37 PM: 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.
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: scb on March 01, 2004, 10:38:44 PM: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1082107766
Title: Re:Amp Recs
Post by: Sugarite on March 13, 2004, 12:29:18 AM: 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.