Amplifier upgrade from 5802

acmf74

Hi all,

The past few years I have been using a 5802 for Music/HT. While it has performs very well for both I got the upgrade bug. I'm was thinking of replacing it for a more "musical" amplifier that can power LSi15s. Can anyone recommend me a brand/model for around $2k.

Thanks...

tonyb

McCormack
Butler
Belles
Pass
Bat
Musical Fidelity

to name a few...
5 channel or 2 ? New or used ?

acmf74

Preferably used 2ch thanks

tonyb

Any one of the brands I mentioned can be had used at or under your price range. All are way more musical than the Adcom.

honestaquarian

That Adcom is a very musical amp in it's own right.It was one of the few from that era that I actually liked that didn't posess the trademark sterile Adcom sound.
Here are a some more suggestions.
Sunfire
NAD
Rotel
PS Audio
Parasound
Arcam
Marantz
Bryston
Denon
Onkyo

honestaquarian

Oh yeah and Carver of course

Inspector 24

I haven't yet put this back into my system for use:

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/165663/fs-parasound-hca-3500-1400#latest

honestaquarian

Mcintosh
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

acmf74

Thanks for the replies.

The forum has some positive comments on the Parasound A21.

Anyone use the amp before?

heiney9

tonyb wrote: »

Any one of the brands I mentioned can be had used at or under your price range. All are way more musical than the Adcom.

Not so sure this is a true statement and know it's not a true statement for some of those you listed.

The 5802 is a superb amp. You'll be hard pressed to find something on Tony's list that bests it by a lot and some from his list will fall short.

Be careful replacing the 5802 you might actually take a step backwards or at best a step sideways.

But I'm all for experimenting and/or shaking the "sound" up a bit.

H9

heiney9

I was reading a different list from Honestquarian when I wrote the above.

Still Tony's list has some formidable amps that may not best the 5802 by a lot, except perhaps the Pass option. The BAT option will certainly give a different flavor.

H9

tonyb

I think you've had too much eggnog Brock. lol

While I can agree the 5802 is a good amp, and a cut above some of Adcom's other offerings, just isn't in the same league as the ones I mentioned. My opinion of course, yours is obviously different.

Mikey081057

The A21 is very hard to beat in it's price range and hangs with many 2 to 3 times it's price. I have one and find it to be very fine paired with a P5 pre. I am sure it can drive the Lsi15's.

I am not sure it makes IMO to drive the 15's with a $6K amp. You may want to look at a Peachtree Integrated or a Used Musical Fidelity in that price range that can handle the 4 ohm 15's.

The Peachtree Nova 220 SE is a very nice package. You did not mention a budget.

heiney9

tonyb wrote: »

I think you've had too much eggnog Brock. lol

While I can agree the 5802 is a good amp, and a cut above some of Adcom's other offerings, just isn't in the same league as the ones I mentioned. My opinion of course, yours is obviously different.

Nah Tony, it's better than you think. It's more than a cut above other Adcom's. But yes, we can agree to disagree.

I guess my point to the OP is the next selection needs a bit of review, because the 5802 IS that good. No one want's to move sideways is my point.

If we were talking 555 or 5800, I'd agree but the 5802 holds it's own and then some.

H9

Haven't had a lick of egg nog :-)

heiney9

If the OP is just looking for something different, not nec looking to move up the ladder then some that have been mentioned will power the 15's.

Are you wanting to upgrade simply to change something out because you're bored or is there an inherent issue with what you are hearing?

There are a couple Pass Aleph 30's FS here and I'd certainly throw that in the ring for 2 channel if you are really looking to step it up. It's not going to be as "balls to the wall" as the 5802 as far as sheer volume, but I have found it's more than up to the task and I know it mates well with the GFP-750 and sound sublime on LSi's.

H9

P.s. Don't even consider the Emo, the 5802 walks all over it.

Inspector 24

Any thoughts on how the Paradound 3500 compares to the Adcom 5802?

voltz

If the OP is listen to music with the AVR, maybe a 2 channel tube preamp to listen to music with? or something with HT bypass to take it up a notch when using together with the 5802?

acmf74

The 5802 does both HT and 2 channel very well. I'm using the GFP-750 for the HT bypass and 2 channel functionality.

Since I have had it for a few years now I wanted to see what the forums recommendations were for a more "musical" amp that can power the LSi15s as the 5802 does well.

It's not that I don't enjoy the amp, I just would like to try something else.

Mark Levinson, Krell, etc etc

tonyb

For a Mark Levinson amp, look at a used Proceed, built by ML and solid as a rock with excellent SQ. Krell's also solid, balls to the walls power but a tad sterile sounding to my ears. May be a good match though for the laid back presentation of the LSI's.

Still think if you want "different", the McCormack is a fine choice. It will have more tonal righteousness, a more layering of the bass notes, better detail, and no fatiguing highs. If that's something that interests you, give it a whirl. If the brand doesn't float your boat, resale on them is still good so I doubt you'd lose anything.

heiney9

tonyb wrote: »

For a Mark Levinson amp, look at a used Proceed, built by ML and solid as a rock with excellent SQ. Krell's also solid, balls to the walls power but a tad sterile sounding to my ears. May be a good match though for the laid back presentation of the LSI's.

Still think if you want "different", the McCormack is a fine choice. It will have more tonal righteousness, a more layering of the bass notes, better detail, and no fatiguing highs. If that's something that interests you, give it a whirl. If the brand doesn't float your boat, resale on them is still good so I doubt you'd lose anything.

Solid recommendation, but if you are looking at ML or Krell, the older stuff is the better stuff. ML and Krell today are not really the same companies they were 10-15 years ago. Classic ML and Krell is the older stuff.

Also one to look at is the older Classe stuff.

H9

Emlyn

I would recommend a Parasound A31 three channel amp with the LSi series.

acmf74

Thanks for all the replies.

pitdogg2

how about a used Ayre....

acmf74

I see a few ML No.27 for sale. What would be a fair price on them?

heiney9

nm.........already stated

acmf74

I had the 5802 for many years... I would like to try something different.

Dawgfish

Personally, I would look at getting a tube preamp with HT bypass to replace the 750 preamp, before replacing the amp. I think it would go further to get the increased musicality you are looking for. I don't really see using a tube amp as a good option since you are using this for HT also, which means having the amp on for many hours. This could require a lot of maintenance and wear and tear on the tube amp. I think a good tube pre will give you a bigger increase in musicality than another solid state amp in your price range.

acmf74

Thats next on my list..

Dawgfish

I would consider putting it first on your list than see if you still want to change the amp afterwards. You may be fine after going with a tube pre.

tonyb

Dawgfish wrote: »

Personally, I would look at getting a tube preamp with HT bypass to replace the 750 preamp, before replacing the amp. I think it would go further to get the increased musicality you are looking for. I don't really see using a tube amp as a good option since you are using this for HT also, which means having the amp on for many hours. This could require a lot of maintenance and wear and tear on the tube amp. I think a good tube pre will give you a bigger increase in musicality than another solid state amp in your price range.

Good points, don't think I'd be looking at tubed amps either if HT use was in the picture.

If your dead set on trying another amp, I'd be looking in the McCormack direction. Much more musical than the Adcoms, and you won't be wanting for slam either.

acmf74

I picked up a Mark Levinson N0. 27 and I like what I'm hearing. Compared to the 5802 the ML has more of everything.

Tighter low end bass, excellent mids and a tad bit more extended highs.

Again for the money the 5802 is not too far behind. For the money it is a no brainer.