Best used amp with a $500 budget?

124

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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited June 2011
    I've got one of these on the way--not the one linked(it just has some nice pic's),,got it from our "Pittsburgh" connection.I'm gonna pair it with the Dared that I got here,,should be fun.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/SUMO-POLARIS-CLASS-AB-STEREO-AMPLIFIER-AUDIOPHILE-/280691276319
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited June 2011
    george daniel wrote: »
    I've got one of these on the way--not the one linked(it just has some nice pic's),,got it from our "Pittsburgh" connection.I'm gonna pair it with the Dared that I got here,,should be fun.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/SUMO-POLARIS-CLASS-AB-STEREO-AMPLIFIER-AUDIOPHILE-/280691276319

    Interesting choice George. Is that one you've always had your eye on or have you had experience with it prior?
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited June 2011
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Interesting choice George. Is that one you've always had your eye on or have you had experience with it prior?

    Probabally heard one years ago,, but I spoke with the seller on the phone and for the money I spent,,235 dollars,,I'm sure that I can get my money back if I don't like it(I'll sell it),,it's been my experience that tubed pre/ss amp usually go well together.Anyhow,, I'm gonna power the 1C's for fun and see how it goes.Just something to play with,, you never know until you try it--at least thats' how it's been for me.I'll keep ya'll posted.:smile:
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited June 2011
    Sounds like a sweet little combination George, looking forward to hearing how it sounds:) One thing's for sure, it makes one hell__ of a beautiful looking system.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited June 2011
    I owned the Sumo Athena back in the mid 80's.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited June 2011
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Thanks for the recommendation bro. I saw one of those on CL a few months ago, I should have grabbed it!

    What else have you tried on your SDA's? The Carver has really grown on me. I had a buyer who was supposed to come by this morning but ended up backing out, so I'm having a good time with it. It was definitely a solid recommendation by all who those chimed in about it. I'm stoked about the Emotiva XPA-2 that I have coming in too. I'll report back to you when I get a chance to listen to it.

    I have not tried anything other than some NAD, Carver, Onkyo Integra and Adcom stuff but at this point I am more concerned with my preamp situation. Those amps are all good but there are nicer ones for sure which I will look into someday but Preamp and xovers are ahead of them for now since I'm content with the Adcom.
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  • maod
    maod Posts: 12
    edited August 2011
    GAS Son of Ampzilla.
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  • 20hz
    20hz Posts: 636
    edited August 2011
    I like the adcom 555 , it sounds great, lasts, holds it price .
    I have seen used ones for like 200-300$ on ebay .
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  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited August 2011
    Take an Adcom 555, 5800, 5802 put a pretty face on it, add a few lights, recap and bring up to original standards and rebadge it with a sexy name and people who are looking for strictly new gear would probably gladly pay $1800 and never be the wiser. As far as any well designed amp blowing another well designed amp out of the water just ain't gonna happen. While there may be differences they are subtle. I've found that the differences in preamps cause my power amps to sound different but when I match the right pre and power amp I like the sound better but it's never night and day.
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited August 2011
    Parasound A23 for $500
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1317346353&/Parasound-A23-Amp
    Sorry I have not heard one though...
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited August 2011
    DON73 wrote: »
    Take an Adcom 555, 5800, 5802 put a pretty face on it, add a few lights, recap and bring up to original standards and rebadge it with a sexy name and people who are looking for strictly new gear would probably gladly pay $1800 and never be the wiser. As far as any well designed amp blowing another well designed amp out of the water just ain't gonna happen. While there may be differences they are subtle. I've found that the differences in preamps cause my power amps to sound different but when I match the right pre and power amp I like the sound better but it's never night and day.

    Huh?

    You obviously haven't heard a lot of top end amplifiers. There can be a night and day difference from one amp to another.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,775
    edited August 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Huh?

    You obviously haven't heard a lot of top end amplifiers. There can be a night and day difference from one amp to another.

    H9

    Night and day? Like one is off, and one is on? Sounds like one doesn't work.:wink:
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2011
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    ...the XPA-2 and the Adcom 5802 are a toss-up in great performance...

    Really? That's surprising.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited August 2011
    Since this thread, I think I've been through 3 different amps. I had the XPA-2 for about a month, the Marantz Model 1150 integrated, and the Onix SP3 MKii tube integrated. Believe it or not, the old Marantz 1150 is the piece I keep coming back too! LOVE this integrated.
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited August 2011
    I know you've heard this before but for a tank of an amp the Adcom gfa555 is the one for me. I got it for $300 w/ shipping incluced from Audio Classics.They were a pleasure to deal with.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2011
    well the emo will make a great boat anchor....so its got that going for it.

    Anything by BAT, PASS, Ayre, Edge, VTL, Manley, Conrad Johnson, Arcam, Joule, Ayon, MBL, Bernig, Musical Fidelity and Bryston to suggest a few amp manufacture's who's designs encompass special thought to handling a musical signal.

    RT1
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited August 2011
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    well the emo will make a great boat anchor....so its got that going for it.

    Anything by BAT, PASS, Ayre, Edge, VTL, Manley, Conrad Johnson, Arcam, Joule, Ayon, MBL, Bernig, Musical Fidelity and Bryston to suggest a few amp manufacture's who's designs encompass special thought to handling a musical signal.

    RT1

    No. The Emo was a great amp that was replaced by a better one, and that's it. I could have easily lived with the Emo, but my O.C.D got the best of me. The thing had HUGE balls and was a lot of fun.
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  • Outfitter03
    Outfitter03 Posts: 563
    edited August 2011
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    The thing had HUGE balls and was a lot of fun.

    :eek:Ewwww
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2011
    OK its all good, but you moved on for whatever reason. I have no real bone with the amp or those who use them as it is a typical power amp which supplys adequate current and is a step up from the mass market receiver for 2-channel sound, it was/is the way the company marketed that really turned me sour on them, that said folks who's job depends on critical listening dont give them much regard...but hey, if it floats someone's boat fine, if, not well their is that anchor opportunity....

    I will stand though on my suggestions as a place to find quality amplification and if nothing else learn about things from some of the best minds in the field.

    RT1
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited August 2011
    Outfitter03 wrote: »
    :eek:Ewwww

    Says the man with tiny balls?
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  • Outfitter03
    Outfitter03 Posts: 563
    edited August 2011
    Touche! but not true.

    If you are in the swapping mode what are you thinking about trying next? How about a Parasound or a Pass Labs like Heiney9 has. Something that operates in class A at lower levels like Parsound or in pure class A like the Pass Labs.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited August 2011
    Outfitter03 wrote: »
    Touche! but not true.

    If you are in the swapping mode what are you thinking about trying next? How about a Parasound or a Pass Labs like Heiney9 has. Something that operates in class A at lower levels like Parsound or in pure class A like the Pass Labs.

    I've been waiting for an old HCA-2200 to pop up around me for sometime now. I wonder how much better the second versions (MKII) are?
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2011
    4 pages of farting around? Re-read post #12. This isn't really that hard.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2011
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgia/fsb.pl?ampstube&1&ctg&st51 no affil.

    Since the above are mono-block not for 2B SDA, however, I heard these ASL at MarylandFest I think it was with Polk RTA and a number of bookies....made for a very nice intimate rig. There is also a nice rebuilt Dynaco 70 on the Audiogon as well at a good price point. The voltage swings made possible with tubes gives these suprising power. ASL delivers a range of tube products up to the 200 watt hurricanes. A good value to dollar company.

    Those members new to SDA please note whether ss or tubed mono-blocks can only be used with pin/blade configuration SDA and the AI-1 interconnect.

    Nice wide variety of choices for amplifiers on the Gon right now. Whether ss or tubed.

    RT1
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  • 20hz
    20hz Posts: 636
    edited August 2011
    steveinaz wrote: »
    4 pages of farting around? Re-read post #12. This isn't really that hard.

    have you had problems with your parasounds internal releys going out ?
    A friend of mine does .
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited August 2011
    steveinaz wrote: »
    4 pages of farting around? Re-read post #12. This isn't really that hard.

    No one is farting around. I bought two of the amps in this thread since I posted it :wink:
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  • RickTfromAZ
    RickTfromAZ Posts: 122
    edited November 2011
    Just curious. What did you get?
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  • victory12
    victory12 Posts: 1
    edited November 2011
    fishbones wrote: »
    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.
    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.
    virtual assistant
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  • evhudsons
    evhudsons Posts: 1,175
    edited November 2011
    Any opinions on hafler amps? I love my parasound but need another amp for my outdoor speakers
    Polk Audio SDA CRS+ crossover 4.1TL by Trey/VR3 (Rings and custom stand by Larry)-Polk Audio SDA SRS2 crossovers by Trey/VR3Parasound HCA1500aYamaha rxa-3070 with musicast-Celestion SL6S presence,- sl9 surround backNHTsuper1's surroundMagnepan SMGParasound 1500pre- Sofia "Baby" tube amp - Monitor Audio Silver RX2 Marantz 2230/B&Kst140Technics 1200mk2 Gamertag: IslandBerserker I am but a infinitesimally small point meeting the line of infinity in the SDA universe
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited November 2011
    I do like Don73s' evaluation of the Adcom gfa555 amp. For the cash invovled this would leave you plenty to invest in a decent pre. Me who was a newbee at 2-chl knew I wanted enough power to push what ever speakers I could afford. So the bottom line for me was an Adcomgfaf555-$300-Audio Clasics-Onkyo P-301 pre $60 (garage sale)-and a set of pristine Infinity SM112s for $40 from a very desperate guy moving back to Europe. So it is very possible to put a great set of gear w/o breaking the bank. Most of the other periferal gear were either gifts or thrift store gem finds.Wth saying all that the Parasound that was dispayed on another thread was a beautiful piece of engineering.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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