Best used amp with a $500 budget?

heiney9

nguyendot wrote: »

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

I'd say not

Enjoy

H9

chandler9a

My father uses two NAD 218 amps for his SDA 1.2TL's and they sound great. I don't think you will necessarily "need" that much power for your SDA 2B's but it is a nice amp.

I personally use an Adcom GFA 555 and like it but I think the suggestions that H9 made would sound better. Never heard too many good things about EMO stuff.

gdb

Fongolio wrote: »

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

+ 1 on a TFM-35 !

sda2mike

i'm running an Adcom GFA 555...i was using my Marantz 2270 as a pre, before i got my tube pre...you can find these amps for $300 or less

btw, my speakers are 2b TLs


mike

soundfreak1

I've owned several of each mentioned above and none of them were BAD..... But they were very DIFF. What have you listened and what did you like or dislike? Trust me no matter what amp you buy you will change it sometime!! You will learn that every amp will sound diff. On diff. Pre's . Diff. Again with speakers and on and on. Its an expieriment with each piece of equipment effects the sound of all the other equip. Their lies the rub! And the pleasure!!!! HAVE FUN!!! I still like the parasound!

gdb

There is a "legendary" Carver M-1.5T amp for sale in the FM that is rated at IIRC around 400wpc @ 8 ohms. Maybe the seller would ship to CA.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1583845&posted=1#post1583845 These amps traditionally fetch around $600.00 & up in ebay auctions.

Timothy Smith

I have owned several SS amps in the 200 to 250 wpc range including Adcom GFA-1, Adcom GFA-555, Carver TFM-35 and Rotel RB-1080.

I did a lot of listening with my own ears and with friends along. I ended up keeping the Rotel and selling the rest.

To be fair, the Rotel was definitely the newest amp, so maybe the others had degraded over time.

adcomcyclone

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

I don't have the Threshold amp that heiney points out here, but I have a closely related Nakamichi PA-7, which is 200 WPC and is a Nelson Pass Stasis design, and I am going to have to agree with heiney's comments. This is a great match. For that matter, the Nakamichi PA-5 II wouldn't be bad either. Considering that it looks like the Threshold was recently updated, it seems like a pretty good deal.

fishbones

Nice find on that Threshold Brock!

If I was the OP, I'd be jumping on that deal like a Pitbull on a Mailman.

audio_alan

chandler9a wrote: »

My father uses two NAD 218 amps for his SDA 1.2TL's and they sound great. I don't think you will necessarily "need" that much power for your SDA 2B's but it is a nice amp.

I personally use an Adcom GFA 555 and like it but I think the suggestions that H9 made would sound better. Never heard too many good things about EMO stuff.

Emotiva doesn't get a lot of love around here, that's for sure! But for what it's worth, I brought a friend over for a blind test between an Adcom 555 II and the Emotiva XPA-2. He thought the XPA-2 blew the Adcom 555 II out of the water, mainly because he thought it was punchier. But who knows, maybe my 555 II is out of spec, or maybe I got a "good" XPA-2 and/or let it break in enough before the test...

Anyway ymmv, but in my opinion you need to take some of the Emo bashing with a grain of salt around here. Other forums don't seem to be near as harsh on them, and some of the "professional" reviews on the web actually talk quite highly of the XPA-2. Maybe they were paid off. :biggrin:

NOTE to the original poster - I can't comment on the UPA-2 that you mentioned. The XPA-2 is a more expensive model...

audiocr381ve

audio_alan wrote: »

Emotiva doesn't get a lot of love around here, that's for sure! But for what it's worth, I brought a friend over for a blind test between an Adcom 555 II and the Emotiva XPA-2. He thought the XPA-2 blew the Adcom 555 II out of the water, mainly because he thought it was punchier. But who knows, maybe my 555 II is out of spec, or maybe I got a "good" XPA-2 and/or let it break in enough before the test...

Anyway ymmv, but in my opinion you need to take some of the Emo bashing with a grain of salt around here. Other forums don't seem to be near as harsh on them, and some of the "professional" reviews on the web actually talk quite highly of the XPA-2. Maybe they were paid off. :biggrin:

NOTE to the original poster - I can't comment on the UPA-2 that you mentioned. The XPA-2 is a more expensive model...

Haha, great post.

Just so you know, the XPA-2 is at the top of my list

I'm seriously considering saving for it.

audio_alan

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Just so you know, the XPA-2 is at the top of my list

Uh oh, now you've done it! You just had to go and say that out loud, didn't you? :biggrin:

I would seriously keep an eye out for the other amps that were mentioned on this thread as well. A lot of these guys have had WAY more gear and experience than I have. If you can find one of them used at a great price, I'm sure you'll be happy. The point of my previous post was that people hear amps differently, and some people actually think Emo products rock. Whether that's really true, or just based on lack of experience or owners pride, that's up for heavy debate...

You're about to open a can of worms getting into separates. Next it will be cables, then tubes, then a better CD player, etc. Have fun on the journey! I hope your wallet if up for it! LOL

audiocr381ve

audio_alan wrote: »

Uh oh, now you've done it! You just had to go and say that out loud, didn't you? :biggrin:

I would seriously keep an eye out for the other amps that were mentioned on this thread as well. A lot of these guys have had WAY more gear and experience than I have. If you can find one of them used at a great price, I'm sure you'll be happy. The point of my previous post was that people hear amps differently, and some people actually think Emo products rock. Whether that's really true, or just based on lack of experience or owners pride, that's up for heavy debate...

You're about to open a can of worms getting into separates. Next it will be cables, then tubes, then a better CD player, etc. Have fun on the journey! I hope your wallet if up for it! LOL

I'm no rookie, I've been in the game for years now and my wallet has definitely felt it. Separates? Been there done that. What I haven't had is a high current amp other than my NAD C272. I'm looking for the wattage to double from 8 to 4 ohms. I want 200 watts @ 8ohms :biggrin:

I've had my sights set on the XPA-2 for years now, I just haven't gotten around to it because I've always been able to snag ridiculous deals on craigslist. I have $200 saved for an amp now. It would take a few months to be able to part with $800 :eek:

stuwee

Another recommedation is the Sanyo Plus Series, don't let the Sanyo name fool you, these were serious rigs, I have the little A35 intergrated amp, and it's a honey 50w @8, they made separates. There's a whole system for sale on d'bay in SD for $999 +shipping, not what you need but, they sell cheap because of the Sanyo name on the front, only 'us' who have them know they're just **** ! Not bad lookin' stuff either, the amp is rated 100 @8 and plays waaay louder than most, it's a MOS-FET design, so a different sound, smooth, a little warm, this one is very fast, great with my 'stats. A pic of the system.


Some info in the ebay ad, http://cgi.ebay.com/SANYO-PLUS-SERIES-Full-Stack-Old-School-7-Pieces-/260778872626?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb7a1cf32

audio_alan

audiocr381ve wrote: »

I'm no rookie, I've been in the game for years now and my wallet has definitely felt it. Separates? Been there done that. What I haven't had is a high current amp other than my NAD C272. I'm looking for the wattage to double from 8 to 4 ohms. I want 200 watts @ 8ohms :biggrin:
...snip...:

No offense intended, of course... :redface:

audiocr381ve

audio_alan wrote: »

No offense intended, of course... :redface:

Ah no lol, I just re-read my post and I didn't mean to sound that way! I should have added some smileys haha.

I was meaning to imply that I'm embarrassed that at 25 years old, my wallet has many dents in it. I've been through so much gear so far that it's just stupid.

I'm looking for my last rig *crosses fingers* :biggrin:

audiocr381ve

stuwee wrote: »

Another recommedation is the Sanyo Plus Series, don't let the Sanyo name fool you, these were serious rigs, I have the little A35 intergrated amp, and it's a honey 50w @8, they made separates. There's a whole system for sale on d'bay in SD for $999 +shipping, not what you need but, they sell cheap because of the Sanyo name on the front, only 'us' who have them know they're just **** ! Not bad lookin' stuff either, the amp is rated 100 @8 and plays waaay louder than most, it's a MOS-FET design, so a different sound, smooth, a little warm, this one is very fast, great with my 'stats. A pic of the system.


Some info in the ebay ad, http://cgi.ebay.com/SANYO-PLUS-SERIES-Full-Stack-Old-School-7-Pieces-/260778872626?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb7a1cf32

Hey Stuwee, thanks for the suggestion. I don't mean to be an audio snob but I really want to try something more recent (I'm tired of vintage repairs!).

mdaudioguy

I had an XPA-2 AND an XPA-3 running my HT, and you know what? I didn't find them to be competitive cost-wise with the used market. A lot of people are buying new Emotiva gear to save money, but eventually I realized that I had something like $1200 tied up in these things - for what? (Today I see they would run me $1500...:eek:) I ended up selling them for $1100, and replacing them with my current Adcom 5-channel (for about half the price of 1 new Emo), which proceeded to blow them out of the water in all respects, to quote the common parlance in these situations. Especially when I realized that I had extra $$ to buy more goodies with! But alas, YMMV.

Not bashing at all, and if some want to put the blue light specials at the top of their list, it's no matter or bother to me. They were once at the top of my list, too.

stuwee

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Hey Stuwee, thanks for the suggestion. I don't mean to be an audio snob but I really want to try something more recent (I'm tired of vintage repairs!).

No prob audiocr, understood! Maybe someone else looking might sniff one out sometime, they sell in the $100 to $150 range when they pop up alone, I know a great tech in VA owns one himself, after I sent mine in for a faulty switch, he liked it so much he went out and snagged one. Great thread, lots of awesome suggestions, should be a blast for ya!

victor. askew

I dont think you could go wrong with a Nakamichi PA 7 or a PA 5/2. Why? Both amps totally hit the mark as far as the requirments that make for a good amp. Cost: $500 to 750 range on Ebay. Stability: rock solid at driving heavy low ohm spkr loads. Power and Current: PA 7= 200wpc @ 8 ohms. PA 5/2= 150wpc @8 ohms. Either amp will produce more current than you will ever be able to use and will be stable while doing it. Sound: none , what you will hear is what was sent into it with out any coloration and no back ground noise of any type. My 2nd choice would be a Threshold . The naks were based upon this design with a few mods of their on. Happy hunting!!!

inspiredsports

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Hey Stuwee, thanks for the suggestion. I don't mean to be an audio snob but I really want to try something more recent (I'm tired of vintage repairs!).

The way I look at it, there is a lot of $500 vintage gear that can be upgraded to 2011 status for $500 or less. You end up with $1,000 invested in a piece of gear that will serve you for 20 or more years, and run with stuff you would spend $2,000 to $4,000 to buy today. Plus it looks waaaay cooler. Vintage is a no brainer for me.

audiocr381ve

inspiredsports wrote: »

The way I look at it, there is a lot of $500 vintage gear that can be upgraded to 2011 status for $500 or less. You end up with $1,000 invested in a piece of gear that will serve you for 20 or more years, and run with stuff you would spend $2,000 to $4,000 to buy today. Plus it looks waaaay cooler. Vintage is a no brainer for me.

I get it. That's why I own a vintage system (SDA-2B TL's and a Marantz 2245).

I want to try something newer, I've satisfied my vintage cravings :cool:

jaritta

i love my hk signature 2.1 100wpc but is rated at 100amps per ch. You can usually pick it up for about 400ish

audio_alan

mdaudioguy wrote: »

I had an XPA-2 AND an XPA-3 running my HT, and you know what? I didn't find them to be competitive cost-wise with the used market. A lot of people are buying new Emotiva gear to save money, but eventually I realized that I had something like $1200 tied up in these things - for what? (Today I see they would run me $1500...:eek:) I ended up selling them for $1100, and replacing them with my current Adcom 5-channel (for about half the price of 1 new Emo), which proceeded to blow them out of the water in all respects, to quote the common parlance in these situations. Especially when I realized that I had extra $$ to buy more goodies with! But alas, YMMV.

Not bashing at all, and if some want to put the blue light specials at the top of their list, it's no matter or bother to me. They were once at the top of my list, too.

In all fairness, almost nothing new competes with the used market when you're talking about bang for your buck. Of course their are exceptions, but in general the resale price of most technology items drops off steeply after the first year or two. Many people aren't willing to take the risk of inheriting someone else's problems (especially on really old gear), so used gear goes down even further over time...

What model 5 channel Adcom are you referring to? From your statement of "about half the price of 1 new Emo", it sounds like you bought if for about $300-350? If so, I think you'd be hard pressed to find ANY brand new 5-channel amp for that much that could compete. Look at how much a new 5-channel Parasound or Sunfire amp would cost you these days.

Just sayin'.... :cool:

F1nut

You should address your room before buying an amp. Spend that $500.00 on a big rug and some soft accent stuff. It won't matter what amp you buy, it'll never sound right as long as you have a tiled floor and that big mirror.

kawizx9r

^+1

Room treatments are so often overlooked.

But if you're dead set on an amp, I'll add another vote to the Carver TFM-35. Ron is letting me borrow his and it really makes my SDA-SRS 3.1TL's sing!

Mike Reeter

F1nut wrote: »

You should address your room before buying an amp. Spend that $500.00 on a big rug and some soft accent stuff. It won't matter what amp you buy, it'll never sound right as long as you have a tiled floor and that big mirror.

Solid advise...also,before you purchase any amp,make sure it is a COMMON GROUND design,a must for driving SDAs

nspindel

Mike Reeter wrote: »

Solid advise...also,before you purchase any amp,make sure it is a COMMON GROUND design,a must for driving SDAs

And can cope with loads of current for when you do your inductor mod!

inspiredsports

audiocr381ve wrote: »

I get it. That's why I own a vintage system (SDA-2B TL's and a Marantz 2245).

I want to try something newer, I've satisfied my vintage cravings :cool:

Then I guess you need to determine if your craving is for sound quality or something else :biggrin:

audiocr381ve

inspiredsports wrote: »

Then I guess you need to determine if your craving is for sound quality or something else :biggrin:

"I've Had the Old Bull Now I Want the Young Calf"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuCuohleiV0