Aragon 8008bb with Cardas CCRR binding posts.
headrott
Posts: 5,496
I am selling my Aragon 8008bb that I bought about 3 years ago from the original owner. I have replaced the original binding posts with high quality Cardas CCRR (Rhodium plated) binding posts. I recently purchased a Pass Labs Aleph 30 from Trey here on the forum and have decided to use this amp instead of the Aragon. This amp is very highly regarded and can drive virtually any speaker on the planet with ease. It is 200 WPC (very conservatively rated) and extrememly high current, in other words extremely powerful. The bass is extremely tight, deep and powerful. IMO, too tight but that's my opinion. The Aragon 8008bb has a very very similar sound to a Krell amp, that is: very neutral sounding, deep tight bass, very very highly detailed, and has a great frequency spread. This amp was reportedly designed by Dan D'Agonstino who designs(ed) Krell amps. Very high quality parts used throughout the amp and is the real Mondial, not a Klipsch built amp.
The amplifier works flawlessly, but I have not used it in about 3 1/2 months. I will test it again before shipment to verify it works flawlessly as it did the last time I used it. I have never had a problem with this amp. The cosmetics of the amp leave a little to be desired and have priced it accordingly. I received the amp in this condition, and none of the scrapes were caused by me. Using the Audiogon scale it would probably be a 5 or 6 for cosmetics, but a 9 for functionality. Everything works perfectly, period.
For those with SDA's that might be interested, you will need an AI-1 Dreadnought to use this amp. No question about it, it's required. It is common ground, Dual mono but the resistance at the binding posts is around 20 ohms, way too high for SDA's. That said, there are some pictures below to give you an idea of what it looks like. There is some dust, etc. in some pictures that are not actually problems with the asthetics.
My Polkie asking price is $750.00 plus actual shipping and paypal. This seems like a very reasonable price as the Cardas binding posts alone were $140.00. Shipping will be expensive for this beast as it weighs about 75 Lbs.
The amplifier works flawlessly, but I have not used it in about 3 1/2 months. I will test it again before shipment to verify it works flawlessly as it did the last time I used it. I have never had a problem with this amp. The cosmetics of the amp leave a little to be desired and have priced it accordingly. I received the amp in this condition, and none of the scrapes were caused by me. Using the Audiogon scale it would probably be a 5 or 6 for cosmetics, but a 9 for functionality. Everything works perfectly, period.
For those with SDA's that might be interested, you will need an AI-1 Dreadnought to use this amp. No question about it, it's required. It is common ground, Dual mono but the resistance at the binding posts is around 20 ohms, way too high for SDA's. That said, there are some pictures below to give you an idea of what it looks like. There is some dust, etc. in some pictures that are not actually problems with the asthetics.
My Polkie asking price is $750.00 plus actual shipping and paypal. This seems like a very reasonable price as the Cardas binding posts alone were $140.00. Shipping will be expensive for this beast as it weighs about 75 Lbs.
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
![:\](https://forum.polkaudio.com/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\"){kind=small}
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
Post edited by headrott on
Comments
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Nice amp! Anyone looking for a high current, high power amp would be hard pressed to find a better one at this price. GLWTS."Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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Have you listened to a BAT SS amp? If so, how do they compare to this amp?
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I have not heard a BAT solid state amp Jake. I have always wanted to especially after getting my BAT VK-3i. I am guessing (based on the neutral and detailed BAT sound) that they would be somewhat similar. Maybe others who have heard both can chime in.
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee -
Great price for a BB version - someone should grab this !
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I'm tempted and I don't even need it! :loneranger:"Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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This is the__ model of Aragon that is most sought out for by many audiophiles. This one is worth the drive folks. Hopefully someone local to your Oregon area will jump on this great deal and you'll not have to deal with shipping it. That is a gorgeous amp sir!
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Thanks guys for the bumps and endorsements on the amp. This is the best price I personally have seen for an 8008bb (particularly with the $140.00 Cardas binding posts). It's equivalent to getting the amp for $610.00.
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee -
Stupid question: why does each speaker have two sets of posts? Is this for like a A or B speaker setup, or bi-amping or something?
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Makes for easier bi-wiring.
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Correct. Bi-Amping. Never used the option myself however.
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee -
i thought this is called passive biamping but I guess that applies to speakers, not amps... i think having 2 sets of posts is for easier biwiring as DaveHo said...
Anyways, nice amp, GLWTSFronts: Wharfedale diamond 9.6
Sub: Wharfedale sw250
Rears: Wharfedale diamond 9.1
Center: Paradigm cc-350
Pre-amp: Oppo dv981hd
Amp for fronts: Parasound hca-1500a
Amp for rears: Adcom gfa-5400
Amp for center: Marantz MA500 monoblock
Polk multimedia speakers for PC setup -
Ooops. I mistyped my reply. You guys are correct. It is Bi-wiring, not amping obviously. There is only one amp involved here.
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee -
I used to have a 8008bb.....also the "ST", at the same time. They drove Infinity Gammas well. I now have the 4004 mkII powering 2.3tl's. Pretty decent amps. I wouldn't mine getting yours for the future, but shipping would be a killer, at least to PA.Jeff
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There is a sale pending to a local friend of mine. He is auditioning the amp and therefore this sale is on hold until he decides if he would like to buy it or not.
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee -
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Thanks Jake. Local is easy, and I hope he buys it. We'll see. My friend already owns a Krell KAV-300i integrated amp. Maybe he will decide to go with all spereates after hearing this amp? Have to wait and see.
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee -
OK, friend passed as he is sticking with his Krell integrated amp (he didn't want to buy a pre-amp?). Oh well, his loss is your gain. If you would like to purchase this amp please let me know. I can verify that this amp works perfectly. You will not be dissapointed with it.
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
