Need help, looking to buy NAD, Parasound, B&K or other? amp(s)
pkquat
Posts: 748
in Electronics
I've been searching around for some additional amps. Maybe for a 2ch rig or HT/2ch combo, or some additional ones for HT use / back ups. I have a Krell i300 (integrated pre/amp), a Hafler-220, and a Yamaha HTR. I plan on getting a newer or clearance HT receiver later this year.
I've seen people here favor McCormick, Bryston, and Emotiva, but I have yet to see any of those show up on craigslist. Parasound has been mentioned, but mainly for the p5 preamp. I assume their amps are favored too. NAD and B&K have come up along with Krell.
I'd like to get a preamp. I'm hoping for a p5 or maybe better, but who knows. Until then I will most likely use a receiver or possibly the Krell.
New is not really in my budget. I have a list of choices below. I am not in a big hurry, but I am not opposed to a good deal with a minimal loss to upgrade later. I don't know much about the age of models, or how long they last without requiring some work. An example is, I have heard there a various issues with certain ADCOM's but others hold up well. I'd appreciate any input and knowledge the forum may have.
The list is
Parasound 2250 250W/ch for ??? I am waiting to hear back. I think this would be the best choice depending on the price.
There seems to be a clearance on NAD. These have been listed for a while. Pricing may be flexible. On paper many of these appear similar.
2700THX 150 w/ch <$300
NAD C272 150 w/ch <$300
NAD 2600A Monitor Series 150w/Ch <$300
NAD 216 THX 125W <$250
NAD 2400 THX 100W <$250
NAD C162 preamp w/remote <$300 Would this be worthwhile, or wait for a p5?
B&K 317 >$300
B&K AVR ??? S2 for ??? the model number is not listed and the picture is poor.
I've seen people here favor McCormick, Bryston, and Emotiva, but I have yet to see any of those show up on craigslist. Parasound has been mentioned, but mainly for the p5 preamp. I assume their amps are favored too. NAD and B&K have come up along with Krell.
I'd like to get a preamp. I'm hoping for a p5 or maybe better, but who knows. Until then I will most likely use a receiver or possibly the Krell.
New is not really in my budget. I have a list of choices below. I am not in a big hurry, but I am not opposed to a good deal with a minimal loss to upgrade later. I don't know much about the age of models, or how long they last without requiring some work. An example is, I have heard there a various issues with certain ADCOM's but others hold up well. I'd appreciate any input and knowledge the forum may have.
The list is
Parasound 2250 250W/ch for ??? I am waiting to hear back. I think this would be the best choice depending on the price.
There seems to be a clearance on NAD. These have been listed for a while. Pricing may be flexible. On paper many of these appear similar.
2700THX 150 w/ch <$300
NAD C272 150 w/ch <$300
NAD 2600A Monitor Series 150w/Ch <$300
NAD 216 THX 125W <$250
NAD 2400 THX 100W <$250
NAD C162 preamp w/remote <$300 Would this be worthwhile, or wait for a p5?
B&K 317 >$300
B&K AVR ??? S2 for ??? the model number is not listed and the picture is poor.
Comments
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Buying used, at the $300 level, look for exterior condition to insure good resale. The differences in sound are brand dependent. B&K will always be smooth, Nad smooth to neutral, Parasound mostly neutral. All are honest, dependable choices for HT or 2 channel usage.HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable
2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable -
TY. I'm not limited to the $300 level, but I would like to keep things under 1K. I am not sure if the NAD's are considered so so or or haven't moved for some other reason. All of these appear to be in good condition.
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Those B&K's are AVR's not amps, no?afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk -
hThose B&K's are AVR's not amps, no?
Correct. They could be an option for the HT other than the mains, or possibly be HT/2 ch preamp. I've heard B&K put in higher regard, so I wondered how those fit in.
I also came across 2 others
Emotiva XPA-3 200Wx3 <$550 which seems high for $700 new
Crest Audio cc5500 >1,000w/ch ~$700. 2 Ohm stable. I guess the warranty carries over, but they are about 1k new so maybe a tad high I had never heard of them. I guess they are considered for higher end HT systems. They have fans though. They can be rack mounted so I assume fans are not heard in a rack behind doors. They could be a good DIY sub amp, but I could probably buy two good subs by then. -
A lot of people have Adcom as well. It was on my list when I was looking for an amp. I've owned a Parasound Halo A23 and it was a very solid piece of equipment. You can buy one new from @DSkip if I'm not mistaken.Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
FWIW, I had an Emo XPA-3 and found it underwhelming. Once I switched to a Parasound HCA-1000A things started to get good. Then I added a Vincent SA31 tube preamp and I'm now in 2 channel heaven.Post edited by ROHfan onTV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier -
@halo TY. I've kept adcom in mind, and do some research if I see a great deal on the higher wattage ones. There may be one at a garage/estate sale today. Mainly I am not sure which ones are the good ones and which ones have some issues. I know that is true for most used stuff, but I've heard there are some that are less reliable and have not aged well, but try to get snuck in on good amp pricing.
@tonyb Yes I've used that for price checks. I haven't seen reviews there, and I'm trying to keep it local.
@ROHfan TY, that is what I have gathered as well. I may jump to the tube route some day, but I am not very familiar with what is out there yet. This round is more for getting 2ch started, and probably moving them to HT duty.
It seems these are all in a similar catagory, with the parasound, and B&K AVRs being the newest. What would the next level up be? -
I'm more than happy with my 2250.
Someday when I move up the chain, I'm leaning heavily towards Bryston. -
I'm more than happy with my 2250.
Someday when I move up the chain, I'm leaning heavily towards Bryston.
Good lord man, what amp DONT you have lol....."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
A Bryston.
Hey wanna go north and get those 2.3's in Chicago? -
Next level up for what ? Sound quality.....price ? The brands mentioned already are the best brands for sound quality per dollar spent on the used markets if you want to stay under 1000. bucks....even 2000 bucks.
The HIFI site I posted is not for reviews, that's what Google is for. Find something for a good price and just google up reviews from various other sites.
If you keep it local, your choices will be severely limited, the internet gives you the option of expanding those choices....use it.
Forget about B&k AVR'S and focus on amps, while still good avr's, there is no support anymore for them as they've gone out of business. Their amps though, have nothing proprietary in them and can be fixed by any audio shop should the need arise.
If you want to stay under 500 for an amp, the Parasound hca 1200 or hca 1500 is your huckleberry.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
A Bryston.
Hey wanna go north and get those 2.3's in Chicago?
I wish lol.... they wouldn't likely make it in the door...
FOR GIGGLES I may try tonight again to see if the wife would be ok with them, but they'd be replacing my LSi 15's which I do quite enjoy. Then I'd need to buy another CSi-5 center to go with them (which I wouldn't mind as I think that center is better than the LSiC).
I just dont think she'd be ok with speakers that wide since I'd need them at least level with the entertainment center.
I've had a set in my room before too so she knows how big they are
Oh and dont forget with small children the likelyhood of them poking one of the passives (you know the ones you cant find/buy anymore) is quite high.
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
Here is an incentive for her.
Tell her me and the wife can babysit for a night out for you 2.
I'll mow your yard and wash the windows as the wife changes the diapers..
If that doesn't do it, try Jarreds. It's worked in the past for me..
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I'll mow your yard and wash the windows as the wife changes the diapers..
SH!!!!!T, can I book that service ? HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
^^ I'll be right over after I get done at my house...
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^^ I'll be right over after I get done at my house...
Cool, just be fore warned, tell the wife the diapers she'll be changing....most likely will be mine. Unless you just want to surprise her, which I'm good with that. HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
That's just great. cleaning the coffee off my keyboard now.
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TY all and lol @oldrocker & @tonyb
A Bryston was at the top of my list but the only local one that has shown up in the last 6+ mo up was an old less sought after 4B in rough shape that was priced high.
TY @tonyb I do the google thing, but even then it can be tough to compare, rank etc. Good to know about the AVR's. That is the type of info I'm looking for. It helps to narrow down searches, and less time is spent researching a wrong path.
I'm assuming the HCA's are a step above the 2250. I haven't seen them pop up either. Are they on par with Brystons?
I thought I was near the top of this range, but comfirmation is good. I used to be a hifi nut, but other priorities took over for a while.
Where might Krell fit in? -
Woah - unnecessary visual alert would have been nice there! Gaaaa - it burns!!VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000
Polk SDA1c modded
Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
SACD Marantz DV8300
Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
Yamaha YP-D6
Soundcraftsmen PCR800
Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
Pho-700 Phono Pre
Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's -
@tonyb @all Is the HCA a better choice than the New Classic line? The 2250 is not the V2 its 2010 vintage. He has a P5 too that could be bundled for $1k. This seem like a no brainer. Regardless, I'd like to know where the 2250 fits in. PS I think its common ground, but read somewhere it might not be. I couldn't find a definative answer here.
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@ pkquat..... you would have to decide if the HCA's are better than the new classic series. I've not heard the newer ones. Everyone seems to be pleased with the older HCA's though. I've got a HCA-1000 that I need gone if you are interested. It would definitely work well the P5 preamp. PM me for more details and let me know your location so I could estimate shipping charges. Thanks.
2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer. -
I'm in Chicago...A Bryston.
Hey wanna go north and get those 2.3's in Chicago?
Well, you have the wall space for them, not everyone does. Which speakers sound better to you? The SDA or the LSi? Keep the grills on and that should keep little fingers away from the PRsEndersShadow wrote: »I wish lol.... they wouldn't likely make it in the door...
FOR GIGGLES I may try tonight again to see if the wife would be ok with them, but they'd be replacing my LSi 15's which I do quite enjoy. Then I'd need to buy another CSi-5 center to go with them (which I wouldn't mind as I think that center is better than the LSiC).
I just dont think she'd be ok with speakers that wide since I'd need them at least level with the entertainment center.
I've had a set in my room before too so she knows how big they are
Oh and don't forget with small children the likelihood of them poking one of the passives (you know the ones you cant find/buy anymore) is quite high. Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
Krell doesn't fit in with those listed. It stands far above in both price and reputation. They are severely over built (think military tank). They are very accurate in their music presentation which some call clinical or dry sounding. Basically what goes in comes out much louder.....they don't really have a house sound that identifies them throughout their lineup. Lots of dedicated users that have the space, $$, and those that buy wisely on the used market consider them an investment as they do hold value better than imported gear.
Other brands to investigate similar to Krell: Mark Levinson, Perreaux, Classe', BAT, Pass Labs, Accuphase, Jeff Rowland, Conrad Johnson, McIntosh, MBL, Byston, and other smaller more exotic boutique makers.HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable
2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable -
(Krell) "What goes in comes out louder" that's funny but very true, could not have said it better than that!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 -
+1, both of those for a grand? That may be gone by now. Nice combination.
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TY for all the replies they were helpful. I am now the proud owner of a p5 and 2250. I would have replied sooner but my phone died and I didn't have my charge cord.
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Have you been listening long? What do you think? Congrats!
Has it been said somewhere? What speakers are you using?afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk -
BTW, my wife said "oh you boys" on that polk page... -
Have you been listening long? What do you think? Congrats!
Has it been said somewhere? What speakers are you using?
It's been a really long day, and I have an early morning- longish day tomorrow. No listening yet.
For mains I have SDA 1C's in need of crossovers and RDO's, a set of polk M5 peerless, Newform Research R830. I have a couple of 5jr+ for surrounds.
