What Amp would you choose?

Jimbobwey
Jimbobwey Posts: 19
edited July 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
I finally got the paycheck in the bank and I have an itchy trigger finger to buy a quality stereo amp! The only problem I have as while I search Audiogon.com is what amp do I choose?

I have done my research on the amps but I would like the opinions of others and what they feel is the best.

My choices are down to these 3:

Adcom GFA-555
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1281579332&/Adcom-GFA-555-

Hafler DH-500
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1283109693&/Hafler-DH-500-

Carver M 1.0t
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1283044311&/Carver-M-1.0t-200-wpc-50-buck-

I think the physical sexyness award goes to the Carver, highest watts award goes to the Hafler, and durability is given to the Adcom. Opinions?
Post edited by Jimbobwey on
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Comments

  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2010
    Not the Hafler.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited July 2010
    i am a carver / sunfire person also. my vote on what you have listed goes to the 555. It looks like the seller of the halfer has a bk amp 442/// Now I would choose the BK over both.

    what kind of speakers are you running?
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • Jimbobwey
    Jimbobwey Posts: 19
    edited July 2010
    Thanks for the inputs so far guys!

    I would either be running Polk TSi500's or LSi15's.
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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited July 2010
    Face wrote: »
    Not the Hafler.

    Why not? Not a MOSFET fan?
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

    The SRT SEISMIC System:
    Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited July 2010
    Adcom 555!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2010
    toobs
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited July 2010
    Jimbobwey wrote: »
    I would either be running Polk TSi500's or LSi15's.
    Lasareath wrote: »
    Did you say either because you haven't bought anything yet?
    Those are two rather different speakers. I would suggest making your speaker choice first, and then researching to see what amps others are pairing with them (as well as source choices - AVR, pre-amp?) and reading to learn what the general impressions are. Good luck. :)
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited July 2010
    I would go with!!!! "A cut above the rest"...

    http://www.emotiva.com/
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited July 2010
    there is a great looking and very well regarded M 4.0t Carver on A'gon now as well. That is the one to grab. I must agree with the others on the Adcom over the m 1.0...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited July 2010
    I would not choose any of the three choices you have chosen. In your price range, I would suggest the Carver M4.0t or the M-500t...both of which have balls, aren't too bright and have a pleasing tube-like sound. Otherwise, I would start considering a tubed amplifier.

    Don't get stuck on watts. Specifications hare not the be all to end all of good sound.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited July 2010
    treitz3 wrote: »
    I would not choose any of the three choices you have chosen. In your price range, I would suggest the Carver M4.0t or the M-500t...both of which have balls, aren't too bright and have a pleasing tube-like sound. Otherwise, I would start considering a tubed amplifier.

    Don't get stuck on watts. Specifications hare not the be all to end all of good sound.


    And the M-500 has those big sexi meters on the front!:D
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Jimbobwey
    Jimbobwey Posts: 19
    edited July 2010
    Sorry for not responding to any of these, I just woke up...no work today so I had to sleep in! As for the two speaker choices, I have to opportunity to get a pair of LSi15's for $700 that hopefully I get to go check out today. My original choice was to buy a brand new pair of TSi500's, so that's why I have two speaker choices. I figured it wouldn't be a big problem if I had different speakers to an amp but I thought wrong! I want to thank you all for the valuable input so far guys!
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited July 2010
    The LSi's love the power, and for the price, I would grab them over the TSi's all day long and twice on Sunday.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Jimbobwey
    Jimbobwey Posts: 19
    edited July 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    The LSi's love the power, and for the price, I would grab them over the TSi's all day long and twice on Sunday.

    ...the LSi's are literally brand new too, so I figure $1000 under the normal price I consider it a steal if I can pull it off!
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited July 2010
    LSi's all day long over the TSi's
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited July 2010
    Three steps to follow:
    1. Don't walk, run and grab the LSI's
    2. Then get an amp with truly serious power, no big box crapola.
    3. Start saving to having the LSi15 crossovers upgraded, huge improvement.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,047
    edited July 2010
    markmarc wrote: »
    Three steps to follow:
    3. Start saving to having the LSi15 crossovers upgraded, huge improvement.

    Who did yours?
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited July 2010
    I've only heard the results of an LSi9 mod. Having owned the 9's and been able to compare them to several other comparable models I can honestly say that x-over is by far the weak link. To me, it's disappointing that such mediocre parts were used in order to hit a price point, when so much effort and quality went into other areas.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited July 2010
    Good Point....the LSis have some nice drivers and a good cabinet design that can compete with a much more 'expensive' speaker class. I haven't heard the 'tweaks' yet, but since everyone raves about them I would imagine that they double or even triple the speakers' value!

    As for the Adcom, I own one myself. You won't be disappointed with that IF you get the RIGHT pre-amp. Try to get a nice one, don't settle for a lower level Adcom pre. If you do go Adcom....only the GFP-715 and GFP-750 will really do that amp justice....or some other pre...I'd think about a good Parasound, Carver, etc?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Jimbobwey
    Jimbobwey Posts: 19
    edited July 2010
    I wish this guy would respond about the speakers. By no means am I walking, I'm full out sprinting...but on a treadmill going no where. Say I get the LSi15's, does anyone know of a good place near the Northwest Washington area that would upgrade the crossovers? I want to put some serious cash (for a struggling college student at least) into a 2 channel setup and don't want to cut corners.
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  • Jimbobwey
    Jimbobwey Posts: 19
    edited July 2010
    Another thing, suppose I buy a pair of RTi A9's which require a recommended 50-500 wpc, if I pair it up with an amp of ~150 or ~200 wpc and never drive it past 110db...would that be acceptable? Just because speakers are rated up to 500 watts, does it mean that I really need to invest in such a large amplifier or will it be just fine and satisfy my needs?
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  • woodguru
    woodguru Posts: 76
    edited July 2010
    I saw an Aragon recently on Audiogon that was looking cheap, they can work real well with the right wire and preamp. I like a tube sound front end and a gutsy solid state amp. The price on the Aragon indicated it's an under the radar amp considering it's original cost and selling cheaper than Hafler and B&K and that range amp.

    If changing your amp and trying different ones finds you thinking any amps are objectionable over others you might look at wire, the more neutral your interconnects and speaker wire are the better and more well balanced most amps start sounding when compared. Truly neutral wire sounds great with both solid state and tubes and makes everything sound as good as it can be.

    My personal favorite all time amp is the Belles 350-A or the derivatives such as the Reference but they are more like $1500 used, they outperform amps costing tens of thousands of dollars, either tube or SS.
    You aren't done with wire and ready for upgrades and other tweaks until you are totally done with wire.
    Keith 2006
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  • woodguru
    woodguru Posts: 76
    edited July 2010
    Jimbobwey wrote: »
    I wish this guy would respond about the speakers. By no means am I walking, I'm full out sprinting...but on a treadmill going no where. Say I get the LSi15's, does anyone know of a good place near the Northwest Washington area that would upgrade the crossovers? I want to put some serious cash (for a struggling college student at least) into a 2 channel setup and don't want to cut corners.

    Get a good speaker and don't worry about tweaks, any money you could spend on the speaker upgrades won't do a tenth of what putting that same money into wire will. You aren't done with wire and ready to put money into tweaks and other upgrades until you are done with wire, period. It takes the wire to reveal what's really going on with the system and it doesn't make sense to spend money on the system until the wire is at a high form.
    You aren't done with wire and ready for upgrades and other tweaks until you are totally done with wire.
    Keith 2006
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,055
    edited July 2010
    Jimbobwey wrote: »
    Another thing, suppose I buy a pair of RTi A9's which require a recommended 50-500 wpc, if I pair it up with an amp of ~150 or ~200 wpc and never drive it past 110db...would that be acceptable? Just because speakers are rated up to 500 watts, does it mean that I really need to invest in such a large amplifier or will it be just fine and satisfy my needs?

    With my speakers for music, I actually preferer the 100 wpc over the 200 wpc Adcom. With the LSi series, I would be a bit more concernd about the overall wpc than with the RTi series...but again, wpc is only one part of the equation.
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  • RelayerCR
    RelayerCR Posts: 6
    edited July 2010
    I'm testing a Parasound 2125 with my LSi15, this one is 200wpc rms at 4ohmn, the results are excelent, full bass, no distorsion, neutral and natural, very musical. Mine is stereo system, music dedicated.
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