2 Channel Amp with $1,500 to spend

audiocr381ve

Need some help gents, I want to make the final upgrade to my system and grab a new or used 2 channel amp. I'm using the Rogue Audio Perseus tube preamp and Oppo 105D as a source. I'm THRILLED with both of these pieces and they truly have ended my hunt for a source and a pre. The Oppo 105D is outrageous. Anyway..

The amp will need to power the notoriously power hungry 6 ohm Totem Hawks, so tube amps are out (I think?). Volume matters to me so I'd like something that will control my speakers from top to bottom. Also, no more mono blocks. I'd like to make this system as compact as possible.

I've had amps from B&K, Parasound, Emotiva, & Adcom and part of the fun is trying new things so I'd like to stay away from them.

I'm really interested in the Wyred 4 Sound amps. I'd really appreciate some in depth feedback if you're going to offer advice along with what you've tried, sound signatures, etc.

Thanks!

tonyb

W4S to me sounds a tad dry and unengaging....that's just my ears though.

A butler TDB2250 used is in your ballpark. Or I'd look for a McCormack DNA 250. Both have a tube flavor with SS slam. I also like Bat amps, quick and powerful sound with a touch on the warm side of neutral like the other 2 I mentioned.

BTW, that's an excellent price for that McCormack on the 'Gon. I turned Jhayman onto the 225 and he loved it so much he went out and bought the DNA500.

nooshinjohn

Another that should be at or near the top of the list is the Nelson Pass designed Nakamichi Stasis PA-7mkII, or it's Threshold sisters. Many consider these amps to be some of his best work. I have never owned them, but know a few people that do. Best of all is that you could get a pair of these for your budget.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nakamichi-PA-7-Power-Amplifier-/271511118846?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3f3752e3fe

audiocr381ve

DSkip wrote: »

I don't think the W4S would pair well with the Totem. $1500 probably won't get you into a Pass (best SS I've heard), but there is a McCormack for sale on the 'gon right now. While I haven't heard them, they are one of a few I'd buy blind.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-mccormack-dna-225-amplifier-2014-05-31-amplifiers-87008

Forgot to mention, I don't want an extra heater in my living room and electricity is EXPENSIVE in southern california which is why the Wyred 4 Sound amps looked like winners unlike Pass's Class A amps.

@Tonyb, dry and unengaging is the opposite of what I'm looking for so I guess the Wyred amps are out.

@john there is actually an original PA-7 nearby but it is butt ugly >:-/

nooshinjohn

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Forgot to mention, I don't want an extra heater in my living room and electricity is EXPENSIVE in southern california which is why the Wyred 4 Sound amps looked like winners unlike Pass's Class A amps.

@Tonyb, dry and unengaging is the opposite of what I'm looking for so I guess the Wyred amps are out.

@john there is actually an original PA-7 nearby but it is butt ugly >:-/

LOL! the look is beautiful, in a Batman "Tumblr" kind of way I guess. Another to look for is the Sunfire 300/2 or if you can find it, the 600/2 Signature. Both are super-efficient and stone cold to the touch even driving a hard load all day long.

nooshinjohn

A Signature Series 5 channel perhaps, but I have owned a 600/2 and found it to be a pretty amazing piece. I know others that would not give up their 300/2 for anything else.

audiocr381ve

What do you guys think about this one vs the McCormack DNA-225? The McCormack has double the power which is nice..

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-balanced-audio-bat-vk-200-2014-06-01-amplifiers-91321

Dennis Gardner

I would look into an Odyssey Khartago or Statos in a Khartago case. Great amps, cool running, gobs of power and 20 year warranty if you buy new.

marvda1

here is an ayre 100 watt amp.
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-ayre-acoustics-v-3-stereo-power-amplifier-2014-05-31-amplifiers-60110

tonyb

audiocr381ve wrote: »

What do you guys think about this one vs the McCormack DNA-225? The McCormack has double the power which is nice..

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-balanced-audio-bat-vk-200-2014-06-01-amplifiers-91321

I'd take the McCormack. If you need a reference, contact Jhayman....send him a PM and ask him what he thinks of their amps.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
There's the conrad-johnson MF-200 as a reasonably priced amp.
Ken

soundfreak1

What kind of sound ( signature sound) do you want tje amp you dont want go from warm to boomy. Also what speakers are you using. In that budget you have a lot of choices in vintage. Ive had most you mentioned and you can get into krell and mcintosh if you have heard them tjey can be quite nice with polks.but give us a hint as to what you want "sound wise"

audiocr381ve

soundfreak1 wrote: »

What kind of sound ( signature sound) do you want tje amp you dont want go from warm to boomy. Also what speakers are you using. In that budget you have a lot of choices in vintage. Ive had most you mentioned and you can get into krell and mcintosh if you have heard them tjey can be quite nice with polks.but give us a hint as to what you want "sound wise"

I mentioned the speakers in above but they're Totem Hawks and pretty inefficient.

Musical, smooth, and authoritative bass slam is what I'm looking for.

Great recommendations so far guys. Wish I could hear em' all in my system. Can anyone comment on McCormacks house sound vs BAT vs Odyssey?

Oldfatdogs

Another one to checkout might be Belles.I love mine,some of the other guys use them also.

Dan

WLDock

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Forgot to mention, I don't want an extra heater in my living room and electricity is EXPENSIVE in southern california which is why the Wyred 4 Sound amps looked like winners unlike Pass's Class A amps.

I can't go down the class D comparison road or even give 1st hand "In my own system" experience but......I was impressed with the sound of the Emerald Physics products at a recent show. There was some big talk going on about their amps and interesting feedback on the net. I guess there is history there between Wyred and Emerald in term of class D. Also, the SE versions are supposed to be nice.

http://www.emeraldphysics.com/search/label/Power%20Amplifiers

Here's a used 100.2 SE in Rondo Beach:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ele/4484555555.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261493965048

BTW, in ce front end! The direction I shooting for.

tonyb

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Musical, smooth, and authoritative bass slam is what I'm looking for.

Then jump on the McCormack and don't look back....spend the difference in good IC's and enjoy.

xsmi

^^^What he said^^^

audiocr381ve

Just made an offer on the McCormack. The wife reminded me that I owe her a couch so my budget is tighter than I anticipated.

Thanks again for the help guys

zane77

If you don't want another heater in the house you probably wouldn't like the BAT, but the sound quality is excellent.

NJPOLKER

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Just made an offer on the McCormack. The wife reminded me that I owe her a couch so my budget is tighter than I anticipated.

Thanks again for the help guys

Do not ever forget this.

It is easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission.

audiocr381ve

NJPOLKER wrote: »

Do not ever forget this.

It is easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission.

Hah, and don't forget this... half of marriages end in divorce!

txcoastal1

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Hah, and don't forget this... half of marriages end in divorce!

But the music sounds good

You've heard that country song....I'm gonna miss her

Jhayman

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Just made an offer on the McCormack. The wife reminded me that I owe her a couch so my budget is tighter than I anticipated.

Thanks again for the help guys

Good choice although I had the DNA 250 which I just sold last night but still have the 500..
If you want authoritive bass and Great dynamics McCormack is for you..

WLDock

Maybe one day I will get to hear what the McCormack cult following is all about. Us drummers like authoritive bass and dynamics. Would love to do a so de by side with a Halo. Ran across a guy that did not the McCormack over the Halo?

So much gear and SO much varied taste in sound. Gotta get out there and start listening....on a long road.

nspindel

You may be able to find a used Krell KAV-2250 in that kind of range, maybe with a little wear and tear on it. I've got one running my 4.1TL's, and the thing is a beast.

Dawgfish

Honestly since you are running a Rogue Pre I would go with a used Rogue Stereo 100 with KT120 tubes. I know you said you your speakers are inefficient, but this beast will drive your Totems with ease. I've driven my Maggie MMGs(4ohms, 86 db efficiency) with my Stereo 88 Magnum and it handled the panels with ease at very loud levels. The Stereo 100 is a great deal more powerful. Rogue amps also have excellent bass slam and are very fast, while retaining the tube smoothness and huge soundstage. They can be found in your price range all day long. If I were in your shoes, that's the way I would go.

Sprags

I'd recommend a VTA ST-120 from Bob Latino at Tubes4HiFi.com.

doctorcilantro

JOB 225...stretching though.

Gaara

If you want to go down the IcePower path you could check out Ghent Audio. They use the same modules (and their own input buffer) for 1/2 the price of W4S. I am using their amps for my mains and surrounds and the system has never sounded better.

Something like their GA-S500B would fit the bill at 250wpc/8ohms for $899 shipped with high efficiency and low heat output.

GlennDog

CR381ve,

While search Butler, I ran across this thread . . . What did you end up with?

I hope more than a couch!

tonyb

So what did the OP end up with anyway ? How about a short review on whatever it was.