What are your thoughts on these amplifiers.

GospelTruth

Ever since I've purchased a set of SDA 2Bs this past spring, I've been thinking about going for separates in driving them. I currently have a upper end Yamaha receiver driving them and they sound pretty dang good to me. However, after researching (aka "lurking") around the site it seems a general consensus that a separate amp is better to drive SDAs. Whether that is the case with the 2Bs, I don't know.

Anyway, I am looking in the used market and wondered about the Sony TA-N77ES or it's twin the TA-N80ES (without the light meters). They seem like nice amps if you can find them used. Just wondering if getting something that old is worth it or not, or even if those particular amps are any good. I have found a couple of the TA-N80ES amps for around $300 in pretty good condition physically. However, I've also read that depending on the age that some folks recap their amps. Is that something that would have to be done to these amps as well? I'm not looking to do a lot of work on a used amp to get my system running, nor do I want to spend a lot more on upgrades for an amp. Just wondering what might need to be done and if these amps are worth it or not.

Additionally, I know the Sony amps are a couple decades old and wondered how they might compare to the Emotiva (gasp) line of amps out there today. Not trying to start a war on the Emotiva stuff because I know there are a lot of opinions on both sides for that - kinda like political views. Just wondering how an old Sony amp might compare to something that is more a budget amp in today's world.

Anyway, your thoughts would be appreciated.

Schurkey

I don't understand why anyone would support the Communists when a used Aragon/B&K/Bryston/Carver/Adcom/Parasound/Soundcraftsmen can be had for about the same money or less. Some of them, MUCH less.

Yes, depending on the amp and the age, replacing some caps and a general "tune-up" might be a really good idea.

soundfreak1

Buying a used amp dosent support anyone except the currant owner however you can do ALOT better for that money than sony!!!! The brands mentioned above would be a much much better choice in that price range!!!!! Especially the parasound, im a little jadded towards them, ive owned most on that list and find the parasound very nicely
Matched with the polks. Just mho. Im sure there might be one but never considered anything sony made to be in that class of amps.

tophatjohnny

I am in the same boat right now for my bedroom set up. Either a kick but receiver or just any receiver that has pre outs for an amp?? hoping to getter done with a powerful receiver though. The SDA 2B's I just picked up are beautiful and can't wait to fire them up. As for used amps, I went with a HK PA5800 at first and while it was okay, just not enough kick for me, so I upgraded to the Acurus 125x5 in the main room, and that is working great!! The HK amp went back into it's box and will probably stay there for a long time.

GospelTruth

Shurkey - Thanks for the information. I've looked on ebay at some of the amp brands you recommended and Aragon/Bryston are a little out of my range for what I'm looking for. I'm sure they are good amps though, don't get me wrong. I've looked at Adcom, but I've read stuff on this forum and others about good/bad experiences with them - mostly around certain models that were problems. I guess when it comes to Adcom, your thoughts on what models would be good ones for two channel would be appreciated. I'm not as well versed in any of the brands you mentioned to be know which choices within their brand would be best.

Soundfreak - thanks for your opinions as well. I pulled up some Parasound amps on eBay and found some models there as well but don't know what is good or not. One is a Parasound 2125 THX Certified Stereo Power Amplifier. It's listed there for $450. Looks like a good amp, but I don't know if that's a good value or not. Same holds true to what I told Shurkey. I'm not well versed in these amps to know what models are good ones and what a good value would be for them as well. Your thoughts on what some good parasound amps are would be appreciated as well.

I'd still be using my Yamaha 3800 receiver as the pre-amp for whatever amp I choose at this point in time.

Thanks!

GospelTruth

tophatjohnny wrote: »

I am in the same boat right now for my bedroom set up. Either a kick but receiver or just any receiver that has pre outs for an amp?? hoping to getter done with a powerful receiver though. The SDA 2B's I just picked up are beautiful and can't wait to fire them up. As for used amps, I went with a HK PA5800 at first and while it was okay, just not enough kick for me, so I upgraded to the Acurus 125x5 in the main room, and that is working great!! The HK amp went back into it's box and will probably stay there for a long time.

tophatjohnny - I currently am powering my 2Bs with my Yamaha 3800. They sound awesome right now (at least to me), but from what I've read a separate amp is a good way to go. I don't know if a separate amp will help the 2Bs as they seem to be the easiest to drive of the SDA lineup from what I've read. I'm only using my receiver for two channel right now while I'm planning out a home theater in our home. Heck, if getting a separate amp isn't going to help that much given my current receiver I may hold off on that right now. Hoping someone could tell me if that would be the case or not.

Schurkey

GospelTruth wrote: »

I've looked at Adcom, but I've read stuff on this forum and others about good/bad experiences with them - mostly around certain models that were problems. I guess when it comes to Adcom, your thoughts on what models would be good ones for two channel would be appreciated.

Adcom made a mistake when specifying capacitors for some of their amps. The 565 monoblocs and the 585 stereo amps were affected; perhaps a few others in that same time-frame.

The older GFA-555, 545, 535 including the "Series II" amps may be old enough that fresh caps would be a good idea, but the caps didn't tend to be outright defective.

I have no info on the Adcom product line more recent than the 565/585 except that some of 'em weren't common-ground.

GospelTruth wrote: »

I'm not as well versed in any of the brands you mentioned to be know which choices within their brand would be best.

"Best" isn't an issue. Any of the brands listed will be fine provided you research potential candidates for the SDA/common ground issues. Buy one that has enough watts to provide the volume level you need; keeping in mind that you don't HAVE to turn the volume knob all the way up--so it's hard to buy "too many" watts.

Add Acurus to the list of brand names, I forgot that one when building the list posted previously. Acurus is the "baby brother" to Aragon.

Others brand names not mentioned are PS Audio, DBX and Rockford-Fosgate, they've each built nice home amplifiers. I think these companies are long-gone from the home audio amplifier market, though. You're unlikely to find any of those brands--kinda rare. The DBX amp I'm thinking of is a multi-channel unit with bridgable amp modules; be aware that some SDA speakers are highly allergic to bridged amps.

There is also the Krell, Mark Levinson, Proceed; probably WAY outside the budget.

Malbec

I'm using the Adcom 5500 with my SDA's and am quite satisfied with the combo.

You do need to strap the negative terminals on this one.

There's a few 555's on the 'Gon for sale that might be worth taking a look at.

tophatjohnny

GospelTruth wrote: »

tophatjohnny - I currently am powering my 2Bs with my Yamaha 3800. They sound awesome right now (at least to me), but from what I've read a separate amp is a good way to go. I don't know if a separate amp will help the 2Bs as they seem to be the easiest to drive of the SDA lineup from what I've read. I'm only using my receiver for two channel right now while I'm planning out a home theater in our home. Heck, if getting a separate amp isn't going to help that much given my current receiver I may hold off on that right now. Hoping someone could tell me if that would be the case or not.

Hope the Carver MXR 150 receiver does the trick. I might have it tomorrow, that or I have a HK in mind too?? We shall see. Sounds like the Yamie is doing its thing!!

muncybob

+1 on the Parasound. I drive my 2B's coupled with my Yammy receiver as pre and it sounds darn good to these old ears. Of course, now I want a better pre

Audio is like home ownership....always something else to buy!

littlewoodboats

You did not specify which Yamaha Receiver you were using so this may not apply. Be careful with vintage Yamaha Receivers as most of them are not rated for anything below 8 ohms impedance. I fried a CR-840 first rattle out of the box with my 2A's.

Good Luck

GospelTruth

muncybob wrote: »

+1 on the Parasound. I drive my 2B's coupled with my Yammy receiver as pre and it sounds darn good to these old ears. Of course, now I want a better pre

Audio is like home ownership....always something else to buy!

Good to hear - especially from someone with pretty much the same combo that I have currently minus the amp. Since asking my initial question, I have been researching Parasound and Adcom amps. I'm reading a lot of good things about Parasound and am looking at either the 2125 or 2250. I'm leaning toward the 2125 mostly due to cost. Do you think this would be a good amp for the 2Bs? What model are you using with your Yamaha?

GospelTruth

littlewoodboats wrote: »

You did not specify which Yamaha Receiver you were using so this may not apply. Be careful with vintage Yamaha Receivers as most of them are not rated for anything below 8 ohms impedance. I fried a CR-840 first rattle out of the box with my 2A's.

Good Luck

I'm using a "newer" receiver, the Yamaha RX-V3800. I haven't had any problems driving the speakers with it as I only listen at moderate levels. However, if you turn it up past half way it does start to get a little bit harsh on the highs - and I like a brighter sound. I'm hoping a new amp will help with that as well as provide more power for the low end.