Need an AMP - what do you suggest?

jwl
jwl Posts: 53
edited November 2012 in Electronics
Rats! My Adcom GFA-535 does not work, so I need an AMP (not a receiver). My preference is for clean, accurate and tight sound. I mostly use the speakers to play music, some videos and occasional films/presentations.

I am wondering what makes more sense

1. Get another Adcom GFA-535 or similar on eBay
2. Purchase a Emotiva UPA-200 or Mini-X A-100
3. Something else


Here is the equipment I am using (I pasted links to manuals below). This is connected to a computer and it is critical that the sound be controllable by the computer (hence no receiver).

Polk Monitor 40 Series II
Polk PSW10
HT Omega eClaro (PC sound card)
If needed, I have a Klipsch Promedia dd 5.1 preamp/decoder

Polk Monitor 40s: http://ec1.images-amazon.com/media/i...L000074437.pdf
Polk Sub: http://www.polkaudio.com/downloads/m...SW10_12_MN.pdf
HT Omega eClaro: http://www.htomega.com/filedown/eclaro.pdf

klipsch dd5.1:
http://www.klipsch.com/promedia-dd-5-1
http://www.themusichelpers.com/z/248061100000001
Post edited by jwl on
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Comments

  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,937
    edited November 2012
    Parasound 275? They are known for their sound quality.

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAC275
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  • jwl
    jwl Posts: 53
    edited November 2012
    Got a suggestion on another forum for an ATI AT602. Found one for under $300, but I do not see a lot of information/reviews on it. Does anyone know how it compares to the Adcom GFA-535, Emotiva UPA-200 and Clipdat's suggested Parasound 275?

    J
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  • jwl
    jwl Posts: 53
    edited November 2012
    I bought the ATI. Good reviews, great price and 7 years of warranty.

    Thanks for all your help
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  • chris23120
    chris23120 Posts: 95
    edited November 2012
    clipdat wrote: »
    parasound 275? They are known for their sound quality.

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=pac275

    x2....
    Samsung UN55C6500 55" LED
    Onkyo TX-NR3007
    Polk Audio RT5000
    -RT3000 front
    -CS1000 center
    -FX1000 dipole
    Polk Audio PSW1000 5.1 sub
    Polk Audio microPRO 4000 x2 5.2 subs:biggrin:
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  • SugarmillMan
    SugarmillMan Posts: 175
    edited November 2012
    I'd stick with finding a new amp if it's within your budget. Otherwise, the adcoms always work for a while.
    Fronts:B&W 804 Diamonds, Center: B&W HTM2 Diamond, Surrounds: PolkAudio LSi F/X (4)
    Subwoofer: HSU VTK3-MK3
    Electronics: Onkyo TX-NR 3010 receiver, Parasound Halo A31 amp, NAD T975 amp
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  • littlewoodboats
    littlewoodboats Posts: 823
    edited November 2012
    Is the Adcom repairable? Depending on its issues it could be an option. It could also be a money pit as I found out first hand. :cheesygrin:
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  • sponger
    sponger Posts: 325
    edited November 2012
    Didn't you just buy that Adcom? I remember the thread you started in the speakers forum not too long ago.
    Denon X7200WA
    LSiM 705 703 704c
    Denon DP 400
    Yamaha CDC 775
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  • SugarmillMan
    SugarmillMan Posts: 175
    edited November 2012
    sponger wrote: »
    Didn't you just buy that Adcom? I remember the thread you started in the speakers forum not too long ago.

    You can also investigate possibly buying a new Adcom amp directly from them. Not too long ago I emailed them about thier trade in program. If they still have that promotion going, you might consider trading in the broken one for a newer one directly from them.
    Fronts:B&W 804 Diamonds, Center: B&W HTM2 Diamond, Surrounds: PolkAudio LSi F/X (4)
    Subwoofer: HSU VTK3-MK3
    Electronics: Onkyo TX-NR 3010 receiver, Parasound Halo A31 amp, NAD T975 amp
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited November 2012
    Find a used B&K ref200.2 , it's a fantastic amp and if you plan down the road to get better speakers. A nice used Rotel RB1080 is also a pretty killer amp. Both amps will cost you under a grand on the used market , maybe like $400-$700 depending on condition.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • bthogan
    bthogan Posts: 151
    edited November 2012
    The Parasound HCA 1000A, which has a bit more power than the Adcom GFA-535, can be had for $200-250. I went to a Parasound HCA 1500A, from an Adcom GFA-545, and was very happily surprised. Fuller, more detailed, more lush.

    Yes, lush. My LSi9s love this amp.

    I'm all over these forums pushing Parasound, because of my recent upgrade. Quite an improvement. And I love Adcom.
    Marantz CD6004
    Adcom GFP-750
    McCormack DNA-1
    Polk LSi9s
    Signal Cable ICs
    Blue Jeans cables
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  • mwk455
    mwk455 Posts: 219
    edited November 2012
    What about a carver . I love mine.
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited November 2012
    I preffice this with ( im a parasound fan) having said that... Look at parasound. Great amps warm and lots of currant, and fairly available. Goof reliability and just sound fantastic.also available in many power ratings and price ranges.
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited November 2012
    SugarmillMan wrote: »
    I'd stick with finding a new amp if it's within your budget. Otherwise, the adcoms always work for a while.
    mantis wrote: »
    Find a used B&K ref200.2 , it's a fantastic amp and if you plan down the road to get better speakers. A nice used Rotel RB1080 is also a pretty killer amp. Both amps will cost you under a grand on the used market , maybe like $400-$700 depending on condition.
    bthogan wrote: »
    The Parasound HCA 1000A, which has a bit more power than the Adcom GFA-535, can be had for $200-250. I went to a Parasound HCA 1500A, from an Adcom GFA-545, and was very happily surprised. Fuller, more detailed, more lush.

    Yes, lush. My LSi9s love this amp.

    I'm all over these forums pushing Parasound, because of my recent upgrade. Quite an improvement. And I love Adcom.
    mwk455 wrote: »
    What about a carver . I love mine.
    soundfreak1 wrote: »
    I preffice this with ( im a parasound fan) having said that... Look at parasound. Great amps warm and lots of currant, and fairly available. Goof reliability and just sound fantastic.also available in many power ratings and price ranges.

    You guys read much?? He already bought something... see post 4. Never heard of an ATI AT602, though... maybe he'll report back. Evidently, it's good for "powering a pair of exotic audiophile speakers or stringing together a yard full of outdoor speakers." Curious.
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  • bthogan
    bthogan Posts: 151
    edited November 2012
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    You guys read much?? He already bought something... see post 4. Never heard of an ATI AT602, though... maybe he'll report back. Evidently, it's good for "powering a pair of exotic audiophile speakers or stringing together a yard full of outdoor speakers." Curious.

    I'm sorry. I just really wanted to recommend a Parasound.

    It won't happen again.

    Ed Frias likes ATI, and he makes really good speakers.
    Marantz CD6004
    Adcom GFP-750
    McCormack DNA-1
    Polk LSi9s
    Signal Cable ICs
    Blue Jeans cables
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