looking for power amp recommendations

pglbook

I have been advised by many on this site to get a good power amp for my Yamaha CR 2020 (105 watt) receiver (rather than looking for a bigger receiver) in order to fully appreciate my Dahlquist DQ 10s (and hopefully some future Polk SDA speakers). I do not know anything about power amps but am learning.

Can anyone recommend a good power amp for my needs?

I have no idea of cost but something in $300 range I guess, if that is possible.

Thanks.

falconcry72

Good choice on moving to an external amp. Lost of good choices for 300 bucks.

Some brands of interest: Adcom, Parasound, B&K, Rotel. The Adcom GFA-555 or 545 are popular in that price range. I like the Parasound HCA's.

pglbook

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check them out.

sandman012

I have been liking my Red Dragon 100W monoblocks, Class D. Handmade in Utah. He doesn't advertise them on his site (only the 500 and 1000 Watt versions) but will make them for you. $500 a pair, and can return if not satisfied. In addition to the clean smooth sound, I like them because they are small and run cool. I am kind of itching to upgrade to the 500W versions now.

mhardy6647

I've gotta say that 105 honest wpc (of which a CR-2020 should be capable) ought to be adequate for even the somewhat notoriously un-dynamic DQ10.

I'm not a huge fan of these loudspeakers. They have a decently neutral overall "tone" and they're reasonably transparent sounding, but they're way overvalued even today as far as I am concerned. They're just not very exciting to listen to (I like loudspeakers to convey nuance and emotion - and to let me listen "into" the music and pick out details if I wish to).

Just sayin'.

pglbook

That was exactly my impression - disappointment - after hearing the DQ 10s. I had heard so many great things about them and just found them to sound flat and not lively at all. My Polk Monitor 10As have a lot more life to them than the DQ 10s. But I know it is a matter of preference. I also think the DQ 10s are great for certain music - light jazz, classical - as they really do bring out a lot of detail and clarity, but for rock and other music, and generally overall, I'd have to say I was disappointed by the sound of the DQ 10s after reading so much about how they were among the greatest speakers ever made. I heard recapping brings them to life so I will not give up on my DQ 10s and I intend to recap them but, for now, I am strictly listening to my Polk Monitor 10As, which are awesome!

Msabot1

Picked up an Onkyo M 504 and P 304 for four bills a couple months ago. This was a good score,amp has 165W RMS ch. very clean sound,good headend,punchy! Check these out,they are out there and are reasonably priced.

pglbook

Thanks. Onkyo makes some nice stuff. I have a vintage Onkyo TX 4500 MK II receiver in a second system I have in my shop. I picked it up for only $90 about 6 months ago, not expecting much, but it surprised me . It is a very nice sounding receiver (60 or 65 watts) and I have it kicking a pair of Polk Monitor 7As. It is a nice combination. Thanks for the tip. I will check out the Onkyo amps as well.

Gaara

sandman012 wrote: »

I have been liking my Red Dragon 100W monoblocks, Class D. Handmade in Utah. He doesn't advertise them on his site (only the 500 and 1000 Watt versions) but will make them for you. $500 a pair, and can return if not satisfied. In addition to the clean smooth sound, I like them because they are small and run cool. I am kind of itching to upgrade to the 500W versions now.

Wasn't aware they were still making these, I had a pair of Red Dragon Amp-1s way back when. Very solid little amps using the 200ASC modules. The upgraded versions should be a nice improvement though, I went with EVS 500Ms that use the same module as the 1000 watt Red Dragons, definitly a solid upgrade.

soundfreak1

Jump on the hca1200 from jmwest. Fantastic amp. No affil.

ErasmusBDragon

There are a couple of small Belles amps that are under $300; but they rarely surface. They are great.
Vintage PSE are also highly recommended.
Good luck.

Oldfatdogs

I use the Belles one,I agree with ErasmusBDragon nice amps.If one comes up near you try to give it a listen I think you would be pleased.

Dan

pglbook

Thanks for all the tips. Lots of good stuff out there.

ErasmusBDragon

Oldfatdogs wrote: »

I use the Belles one,I agree with ErasmusBDragon nice amps.If one comes up near you try to give it a listen I think you would be pleased.

Dan

Yes, the Belles One is what I have and it will drive most any speaker.

gudnoyez

soundfreak1 wrote: »

Jump on the hca1200 from jmwest. Fantastic amp. No affil.

+1 I'm thinking pretty hard on this one, been reading some good reviews on it, and all the reviews were positive ones.

Oldfatdogs

Yes, the Belles One is what I have and it will drive most any speaker.

I have mine with the SDA1Cs,works well for my needs.
Dan

leftwinger57

I got my Adcom 555 to bolster my Yamaha rx-v665 and couldn't be happier. I have since split the amp for 2-chll work w/ a dedicated pre but for pure clean neutral power you can not beat it.I got mine sight/sound unseen from Audio Classics and it came wrapped so 0 would happen slippery clean and for $300 even including shipping. They are all over E-Bay and some times Audioagon for very decent prices.