2-Channel Amps

dr1978

I'm shopping the used markets for a 2-channel amp to hook up to my LSiM 705's. It's a little more than I was planning on spending, but I see a Belles 150A Hot Rod for $495 plus shipping. It sounds like this is a well respected amp, but I'm having trouble pricing it. Is this a decent deal?

I'm also looking at...

B&K ST-1400, ST-140, REF-4430
Adcom GFA-5400, GFA-5500 (3-chan), GFA 545 II
Parasound HCA-750A, HCA-1000
Emotiva XPA-200, UPA-200, A-300 (new)
Denon POA-8200, POA-8300
Yamaha A-1000, AX-900U
Marantz MM-7025

$200-$300 range would be great, but if I HAVE to go up to $500 I will. Any thoughts/opinions jump out at ya? Feels like I'm casting too wide of a net right now.

lightman1

DSkip wrote: »

Mitsubishi DA series.

^^^ditto....

stangman67

B&k ref st125.2 amps can be had for 300-400 on eBay it audiogon. I think there is one on eBay for under 4 bills right now. Fantastic amps

tonyb

The Belles is a nice amp and 500 is a decent price. More musical than the others on your list. 5 bones is not a lot of scratch for an amp, especially a good one. 2nd choice would be the B&k's, 3rd....Parasound....but I'd look for a HCA 1200 OR 1500.

dr1978

Good call on the musicality, Tony, that's my top priority. I'm definitely in "something to get me by" mode for this purchase. If I can find something that keeps me happy for a year or two I'll be good. Then I'll look for a longer term solution next time around.

Stangman, the 125.2 does look like a good option. If I don't jump on the Belles then I'll probably hold out for a better price on something like that b&k. If anyone has more suggestions for a good musical amp under 500 I'm all ears.

Skip/Lightman, I'm struggling finding anything in the DA series that would fit the bill.

stangman67

dr1978 wrote: »

Good call on the musicality, Tony, that's my top priority. I'm definitely in "something to get me by" mode for this purchase. If I can find something that keeps me happy for a year or two I'll be good. Then I'll look for a longer term solution next time around.

Stangman, the 125.2 does look like a good option. If I don't jump on the Belles then I'll probably hold out for a better price on something like that b&k. If anyone has more suggestions for a good musical amp under 500 I'm all ears.

Skip/Lightman, I'm struggling finding anything in the DA series that would fit the bill.

The B&k's really sound great. I originally bought the ST125.2 as a very temporary stop gap until I could afford something that could do "justice" to my other components. It has really impressed me, so much that I am looking to buy its bigger brother as a more long term solution.

MrBuhl

I'd be voting Belles - I have only read good things about Belles in general. I have had a B&K ST1400II - nice enough, but I wouldn't go there again FWIW, I found it warm and a little soft. Enjoyable, but in comparison to amps I've had before and since, not an improvement with that specific B&K, I know others are highly regarded tho.
FWIW - here's a few thoughts -

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/belles-150a-short-review

daddyjt

The Belles is a solid amp - I had that very one (Hot rod edition as well). That is a good price too. I sold mine shortly after getting the McCormack DNA 225, which I prefer by a wide margin. In all fairness, the McCormack is quite a bit pricier than the Belles, so not a totally fair comparison...

kharp1

dr1978 wrote: »

Good call on the musicality, Tony, that's my top priority. I'm definitely in "something to get me by" mode for this purchase. If I can find something that keeps me happy for a year or two I'll be good. Then I'll look for a longer term solution next time around.

Stangman, the 125.2 does look like a good option. If I don't jump on the Belles then I'll probably hold out for a better price on something like that b&k. If anyone has more suggestions for a good musical amp under 500 I'm all ears.

Skip/Lightman, I'm struggling finding anything in the DA series that would fit the bill.

There is a guy near me that has a 75 for $650, which I think is a little high, but, I may be wrong.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/ele/d/mitsubishi-da-a75dc-power/6508993201.html

Then this guy is about 2 miles from me and he has several B&K amps fairly priced.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/ele/d/tons-of-used-nice-electronics/6479286887.html

If I can be of assistance just let me know. No affiliation.

FWIW, I found the B&K to sound good,warm and uninvolving. They are good amps and for the money would definitely be a good "get me through" amp, but, I'd go with the Belles.

If you could stretch it a bit you could get a McCormack, providing you could find one that didn't hum or a Butler. Or, just wait a little bit longer and save a little more and get more options.

dr1978

Taking everything above into consideration, thank you.

But what do you guys think about a Marantz MM9000 for 4 bones? I wasn't considering a 5 channel amp, but at 150 WPC and from what appear to me to be other nice specs, I might have to jump. Just looked more closely at the craigslist ad, and it has been on there for about a month. Might not be available

kharp1

I think that's too high, personally. They closed them out about 15 years ago at not too much more than that. I'd be looking at 250-300 max, just my take.

dr1978

B&K ST125.2 for $175. Listed a couple days ago on craigslist. Not much detail on the listing, I'm going to reach out for a little more info. It's a 2.5 hour drive, but I can handle that.

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/ele/d/bk-amlifier-st1252/6511583663.html

stangman67

Thats a steal of a deal, should go real quick

dr1978

Didn't get a good feeling from that guy. Once I told him I couldn't meet today (yesterday) his tone quickly changed. I asked about paypal and if he would consider shipping...he said he could ship, but he would have to be paid by Venmo. Venmo doesn't give you any security protection like Paypal can, so I said I would pass and asked again about paypal and/or a later meet up. Haven't heard back since then.

Who knows, he could just be looking for a quick sale - especially since he's pricing it so low. But either way, looks like I'm still on the hunt.

dr1978

In the meantime somebody snatched up that Belles.

Viking64

dr1978 wrote: »

somebody snatched up that Belles.

Somebody belled up the what?

dr1978

Yep.

dr1978

I ended up landing a Parasound HCA 1200 for a shade under $300. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions!

lightman1

DSkip wrote: »

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649414420-mitsubishi-daa10-power-amplifier/

That's the only one I could find. I had the DA-A30 and thought it was stellar for the money. I sold it to Russ for a little over a bill and it is worth every penny.

You got that right, Skip...
Pleasantly surprised by that amp.

lightman1

dr1978 wrote: »

I ended up landing a Parasound HCA 1200 for a shade under $300. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions!

Noice!! I see you are two hours from Charlotte, NC?? You should stop by my warehouse in Mooresville sometime. Good times and beverages are free.

dr1978

lightman1 wrote: »

dr1978 wrote: »

I ended up landing a Parasound HCA 1200 for a shade under $300. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions!

Noice!! I see you are two hours from Charlotte, NC?? You should stop by my warehouse in Mooresville sometime. Good times and beverages are free.

Hmm, we might be taking a trip to Asheville in a couple months, looks like your place would just be a short detour along the way. You'd have to put up with my 6 & 7 year old's, but they're already very aware not to touch any stereo equipment!

lightman1

dr1978 wrote: »

lightman1 wrote: »

dr1978 wrote: »

I ended up landing a Parasound HCA 1200 for a shade under $300. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions!

Noice!! I see you are two hours from Charlotte, NC?? You should stop by my warehouse in Mooresville sometime. Good times and beverages are free.

Hmm, we might be taking a trip to Asheville in a couple months, looks like your place would just be a short detour along the way. You'd have to put up with my 6 & 7 year old's, but they're already very aware not to touch any stereo equipment!

Anytime. I may not be there. But the warehouse manager is a gracious host.

dr1978

I'm assuming it's a bad thing when bits of plastic fall out of the grating when I remove the amp from the box, and it catches on fire when I plug it in and turn it on?

Clipdat

Seriously?

dr1978 wrote: »

I'm assuming it's a bad thing when bits of plastic fall out of the grating when I remove the amp from the box, and it catches on fire when I plug it in and turn it on?

dr1978

Well, I didn't actually leave it plugged in long enough to see flames, but there was smoke and a definite burning smell. They packed it very well, too.

verb

Jeez. I justed posted a similar event with a Monoprice tube amp.

Clipdat

Wow, damn. Sounds like something inside got damaged during transit. That's too bad!

dr1978 wrote: »

Well, I didn't actually leave it plugged in long enough to see flames, but there was smoke and a definite burning smell. They packed it very well, too.

stangman67

Yikes, that sucks dude, hopefully you have a way to get your money back

dr1978

I bought it through eBay, so I should be covered, but I won't feel comfortable until the money is back in my pocket.

tonyb

dr1978 wrote: »

I bought it through eBay, so I should be covered, but I won't feel comfortable until the money is back in my pocket.

This is why I don't recommend Ebay for gear. Seems to be a dumping ground for stuff that has issues. Stick to sites like Audiogon, US Audiomart, HIFI Shark, or right here.

Some dedicated audio shops also have demos and used gear for sale. Just hit their drop down menus on their websites.

dr1978

Lesson learned. At least I already got my refund!