Best used amp with a $500 budget?

audiocr381ve

Are their any gems out there that I should know about in the $500 range (used)? Over-achievers? "Giant Killers"? SLEEPERS? :eek:

I sold my NAD C162/C272 combo (got them for a killer $500!) about a year ago and have much regret for letting those pieces go. They sounded wonderful and were build like a tank. I'm thinking about kicking down my vintage Marantz 2245 to my parents and going for separates or an integrated.

My SDA-2B's will be SDA-2B TL's this Tuesday and I want to make sure they are getting what they deserve. I'd like to hear all sorts of opinions. Please elaborate on why you would choose your recommendation on a used pre/amp combo or integrated on a budget of $500.

ESavinon

NAD 218 thx.

audiocr381ve

ESavinon wrote: »

NAD 218 thx.

Do you mind elaborating on why?

I might add that I'm interested in hearing why certain amps are better from a design standpoint if you can offer that information. I'm not promising I'll be able to understand it entirely but I'm super interested in hearing it anyway

inspiredsports

NAD's and SDA's have been successfully married since day 1 (as you already know from the unit(s) you regret selling).

The 218 THX is a 225wpc flagship model and is a great recommendation with gobs of musical power . . .
http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/899nad

The other option to consider is a tube unit, with the disclaimer that it's hard to get into tubes for $500 when retubing can really cut into the budget, but you might get lucky.

ncbuckeye3

I scored big yesterday, found an Onkyo Integra M504 amp at a local pawn shop for $39.99. A little dusty, but hooked it up and it worked absolutely great! Those things go on ebay for $400-$550 all the time.

fishbones

If you can squeeze just a bit more into your budget ($600+), then you could get into some great used high-current amps...like B&K 200.2 (or any of the older 200 watt versions),,Parasound 2200's,,Older Classe'. These models (and some others) are built with high-current in mind, which the SDA's like.

I found with my SDA 1C's that the B&K 200.2 had better bass definition and more slam, with a more extended top-end than the Classe Model 30, but the Classe had a gloriously deep soundstage, which I miss. Always compromises, but both handled the 1C's admirably. I have not tried the Parasounds, but wouldn't hesitate to recommend them, they are ravely reviewed also.

stuwee

You mentioned $500 for a used amp, and then it sounded like that might be for the amp and the pre combo, or did I read it wrong? You also mentioned the 2245 Marantz, have you thought of pre-outing that with a $500 amp, could sound pretty nice if you like the Marantz sound, it will come thru used as a pre, I use my 2270 that way. The big Sony, Onkyo and Denon amps with the big VU meters from the late 80's early 90's are in that range, the Pioneer Elite M-90 and M91's right about there too.

I scored my Yamaha MX-800U for around $350 (it's over looked, folks want the slightly more powerful TOTL MX-1000U). The MX-800U is 165 @8, 240 @4 and is rated down to 1ohm, very stable with my Martin Logan's, questionable Darth Vader looks and the LED meters suck bad IMO. I agree the NAD's are a good match with Polks, they have a great synergy. Try that Marantz with a bigger power amp see what you think.

nikolas812

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1310486732&/Parasound-HCA-1500A-John-Curl-




Nik

soundfreak1

Here's my 2 cents worth! I went thru about a good 9 diff. Amps in the 400.00 Range a few years back. All vintage , adcoms, b&k's carvers,denon ect. Frond a parasound HCA-1200 and fell in love. Warm yet detailed and accurate and had balls if I needed them. 200w@8olms 300@4 mine benched @ 276@8/400@4olms. By far the best for the buck and can by repaired and maintained fairly easy. Beautiful sound under any demand, can't make it clip! Absolutely quiet! But I'm prejudice! LOL but know their are better sounding amps,I just haven't heard them for under 500.00 except a few steals here and there.

audiocr381ve

stuwee wrote: »

You mentioned $500 for a used amp, and then it sounded like that might be for the amp and the pre combo, or did I read it wrong? You also mentioned the 2245 Marantz, have you thought of pre-outing that with a $500 amp, could sound pretty nice if you like the Marantz sound, it will come thru used as a pre, I use my 2270 that way. The big Sony, Onkyo and Denon amps with the big VU meters from the late 80's early 90's are in that range, the Pioneer Elite M-90 and M91's right about there too.

I scored my Yamaha MX-800U for around $350 (it's over looked, folks want the slightly more powerful TOTL MX-1000U). The MX-800U is 165 @8, 240 @4 and is rated down to 1ohm, very stable with my Martin Logan's, questionable Darth Vader looks and the LED meters suck bad IMO. I agree the NAD's are a good match with Polks, they have a great synergy. Try that Marantz with a bigger power amp see what you think.

Yea, I'll stick with the 2245 as a pre, it does have a nice tone.

Great suggestions so far guys. Really looking for something I could live with for a long time.

Tim D.

If you were interested in going the tube route, I can highly recommend the Onix SP3 integrated around the $500 range used. I absolutely love mine and feel like it is one of the best tube values out there. If you want to stick with SS, then there have been some great suggestions already made.

steveinaz

Used Parasound HCA-1500's are at or under 500 bones.

audiocr381ve

Tim D. wrote: »

If you were interested in going the tube route, I can highly recommend the Onix SP3 integrated around the $500 range used. I absolutely love mine and feel like it is one of the best tube values out there. If you want to stick with SS, then there have been some great suggestions already made.

Not interested in tubes at this point. Want to stick with SS.

Great suggestions so far. Jeff got me interested in Emotiva. I'm seriously looking into the UPA-2.

Has anybody owned this one?

Fongolio

Consider a Carver TFM-25 or TFM-35. Very warm sounding. Tons of headroom. Excellent bang for the buck.

heiney9

audiocr381ve wrote: »

I'm seriously looking into the UPA-2
Has anybody owned this one?

How long have you been around? Emo has been beaten to death a few hundred times at CP.

I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for something musical. Plus it doesn't fit your criteria of:

Over-achievers? "Giant Killers"? SLEEPERS?

H9

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

How long have you been around? Emo has been beaten to death a few hundred times at CP.

I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for something musical. Plus it doesn't fit your criteria of:



H9

Can you make a recommendation H9? What amps in my price range are musical?

dorokusai

Has anyone recommended the NAD in the FM? It's a hi-fi bargain.

heiney9

NAD, Acurus, B&K, Rotel, Adcom, Parasound, Carver, etc. Perhaps certain year older Denon or Onkyo. Not a fan of the Yamaha's or Pioneer mentioned.

Same old, same old.

What exactly is your plan?

H9

heiney9

Here you go, best amp going at twice the price

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1310496648&/Aragon-2004

H9

P.s. You have to be ready when a good deal comes around. That's how you buy sleepers, giant killers, etc........have the money before you start looking.

heiney9

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1310263029&/Threshold-S-150-II

Stretch your budget and you'll **** your flat hat with this amp.

H9

heiney9

Another solid amp that has some upgrades

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1309907308&/Hafler-DH200

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1309837451&/B-K-ST125.2

Stretch your budget and bargaining skills and this is a very sweet amp for the price. Not a lot of MKII's out there

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1309756741&/Nakamichi-pa-5-ii-power-amp

H9

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1310263029&/Threshold-S-150-II

Stretch your budget and you'll **** your flat hat with this amp.

H9

HOLY MONKEY. I've never heard of Threshold. Google is calling my name :eek:

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

Here you go, best amp going at twice the price

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1310496648&/Aragon-2004

H9

P.s. You have to be ready when a good deal comes around. That's how you buy sleepers, giant killers, etc........have the money before you start looking.

This guy is a half hour away from me. I contacted him yesterday. When I had my Magnepan 1.7's, this amp was highly recommended. Hmmmmm... What to do.

heiney9

Not a big fan of Carver, but anyday over Emotiva

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1309728411&/Carver-TFM-35X

H9

nspindel

I have a modded NAD 2200 for sale right now if you're interested. Great amp, caps and relays replaced, the entire AC stage is re-wired and is IEC-terminated now. Ran SDA-2B's off of it just fine, sound is spectacular.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119095

heiney9

audiocr381ve wrote: »

HOLY MONKEY. I've never heard of Threshold. Google is calling my name :eek:

Threshold was started by Nelson Pass and all the classic amplifiers were designed by him. He sold Threshold in 1997; Pass Labs started in 1991.

the S-150 is a classic and the 150/II is even better. These are from 1982-1984

H9

heiney9

dorokusai wrote: »

Has anyone recommended the NAD in the FM? It's a hi-fi bargain.

I assumed the OP saw it already and passed. But, yes this is a no brainer unless he want's to go with something different since he's owned NAD.

H9

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

I assumed the OP saw it already and passed. But, yes this is a no brainer unless he want's to go with something different since he's owned NAD.

H9

Yep, want to try something a little different.

So many choices. Time to get my ears on some.

nguyendot

H9, i noticed you posted a Threshold amp up there. I'm picking up a Threshold CAS 2 today, any good?

heiney9

It's a Stasis amp, early one 1979-81. As long as it's been maintained and/or upgraded recently it should be fine. Not one of the overall Threshold "classics" but should be a good performer.

CAS = Cascode, the CAS amps were a direct result of Nelson's white paper and one of the first Cascode circuit designs. They seem to well revered by owners. These are early amps however and Nelson worked hard to make later models of Stasis and cascode implementation better.

Think of it as SDA1 vs. SDA 1.2TL.

H9

nguyendot

Ahh I see. Thanks for the info. Only paying $30, so can't complain too much.