very confused

Realistic
Realistic Posts: 355
in Vintage Speakers
I have a pair of sda 2 blade blade style speakers, the confusion is with power amp selection. I was looking at a sunfire amp on ebay it says 19 inch I have no idea what that means it also states 300x2. I received a unexpected Christmas bonus so why not by a nice amp. Then I start reading that they hum and such and need to be serviced so I look at the emo xpa 2 and no one here really seems to like it with sda series. I have no idea what critical listening is I just like nice clean sounding music I listen to Sinatra zeppelin 50-60s b-bop southern rock hard rock amd metal. I enjoy most all music with the exception of country. I do get carried away with the volume sometimes up to the 10 or 11 hour on the dial but not that often. Also is the sunfire company still functioning, I am a very low budget guy and this would be the amp I will own for my life time if it broke they say it takes a certain special tech to fix. If these were your only two options which one would you buy and why. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I am greatful for any suggestions. Bob.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«134

Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    Those are not your only 2 options, take a look on Audiogon for many more.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    Thanks for the response f1nut. Its very hard to do, I have 700 to spend on a amp and that is a whole lot of money for me if my wife knew she would kill me. When I got my sda 2s I told myself these would be the last speakers I buy, I love them. That is the same idea for the amp I just want to make the best possible purchase I can for the money I have.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited December 2015
    I paid $225 for my B&K. If money is a concern you can spend a lot less than $700 on something totally decent, have it recapped, and still have enough to get the missus a purse and shoes. Then everyone is happy. Look for Parasound and B&K as good entry level used amps.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    No local repair tech so it would have to be shipped, I would do that. The money is not a concern it was a x mas bonus so it has no affects on daily household issues or bills. I will spend it on a amp, could I trouble you for some recommendations. I get the feeling that the emo and the sunfire are not to popular with the sda 2s.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    What city is your local Craigslist?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • honestaquarian
    honestaquarian Posts: 3,186
    Just make sure it's a high current amplifier that can handle the low impedance loads.As well as common grounded. The Sunfire company is still in business and honestly since I own one that would be my first choice.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,450
    edited December 2015
    Never mind
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    nbrowser wrote: »
    Recommendations for used, Parasound HCA-1200II or HCA-1500A...I run a 1200II with my triple driver SDA 2 speakers just sound phenomenal with the amp, actually the hole chain sounds damn good for what it is.

    Agreed^^^^^^
    Also B&K amps and Rotel decent amp choices below you spending budget. Get 200 watts per channel and buy pre-owned to get good value
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    I live in upstate NY, I have not used craigs list. Thank you all for the replies I am sure you guys get frustrated with newbie asking the same questions but you all are very much appreciated and I am very happy that this site is here. Bob.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    Ha there are 2 kids and a wife ahead of my newly found addiction so there is not much left lol.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    keiko I didn't think Iwrote anything offensive if I offended anyone I am sorry. I read my posts and did not see anything.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    LOL
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    Good being new here I don't want to anger anyone.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    AAAHAHAHA. That's funny.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    Does anybody know anything about this amp?

    https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ele/5342103065.html
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    Those sda will want more power than the hafler. Follow the good advise already given on the parasound or B&K! You can't go wrong with them. I have had both and we'll under you budget a great bang for the buck and they mate extremely well with your speakers. Please listen to their advise it is well founded..
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    Just an FYI, Sunfire may still be in business, but it's not the same company and they don't have any parts to fix the old Sunfire amps as Rolland at Hi-Tech bought them all.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    You guys are great and yes I will take the recommendations that's why I came here, you guys are the master link in the vintage polk chain I would be very foolish not to listen.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    found this one so far, parasound new classic 2250, would this be a good choice? I am going to keep looking.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    Also found the hca-1500a. Ok I still need some advice which one 2250 or 1500a? Please don't get irritated I just want to try and do this correctly I don't understand any of the specs the list as to which is better or are they both equal in terms of sq. Thanks, Bob.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    Man im freakin out I cant wait to buy one of these amps I feel like my kids did on Christmas morning.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    The current is higher on the 1500a and 800 dampening factor is very good. Though it is older ( which isn't a bad thing either I kind like it better on paper. Haven't had my ears on either model but have had the HCA 1200 and do really like the HCA line of thar era. What pricing are the sellers asking?
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Flathead38
    Flathead38 Posts: 72
    Patience. I was in your shoes not long ago. Listened to advice I read here and began my quest for a Parasound setup. Took alittle time, but eventually found a HCA 1500A amp and an HP 350 pre amp. Bought from two different sellers for 500 dollars total. Sounds terrific with my SDA 1's. Just after that while out of town, my wife and I stopped in on a tag sale. There were only a couple of hours left and there was a NAD 216THX amp and a 114 pre amp sitting off to the side. Bought those two for 125 dollars. They are hooked up currently and they also sounds very good. Deals are there to be had, patience.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,450
    Realistic wrote: »
    found this one so far, parasound new classic 2250, would this be a good choice? I am going to keep looking.

    Good choice

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    Realistic wrote: »
    Also found the hca-1500a. Ok I still need some advice which one 2250 or 1500a? Please don't get irritated I just want to try and do this correctly I don't understand any of the specs the list as to which is better or are they both equal in terms of sq. Thanks, Bob.

    Both are great amps, personally I would get the 2250 just for the extra power.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    Watts mean squat, current is what counts.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    F1nut wrote: »
    Watts mean squat, current is what counts.


    That'd what I was kinda hinting at in the 1500a, much higher current. Couldn't find the dampening on the 2250 though. But I do like the old "HCA" series amps, they were killer. And still are.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    Yep, I was re-enforcing your comment on current. I will say though that the damping factor isn't as big a deal as it's made out to be.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Realistic
    Realistic Posts: 355
    parasound new classic 2250 lowest to highest Ihave found 650-850. Parasound hca-1500a 575-850. No feet on the one for 575.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2015
    And since both amps have plenty of both, he will be happy with either one.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter