Amplifier on a budget

Grabber70Mach
Grabber70Mach Posts: 53
edited 8:53AM in Electronics
As the title states I'm looking for an amplifier on a budget. This would be used to power a set of SDA CRS+ speakers that I recently purchased. Room size is approximately 14x15, but could possibly be moved to another room later that's 14x28. Here's a list of what I'm currently looking at, the upper priced ones are a stretch at this point but hoping that I could get a lower price. Keep in mind that I'll have to get a pre-amp if it isn't included already. This will be my first setup of this type.

1. Carver M-500t Power Amplifier - 250 WPC, Tube Sound 450.00

2. Adcom gfa-545ii 250.00

3. Adcom GTP-502 Pre-Amp and Tuner paired with Adcom GFA-5400. 300.00

4. Denon POA-8200 THX Dual Power Amplifier 240 Watt Stereo 2 Channel
270.00

5. ADCOM
GFA-5400 power amplifier
GFP-555 series II preamplifier
Adcom Speaker Selector
$299

6. Parasound 275 Two Channel Amplifier
250.00

7. Carver TFM-24 vintage audio amplifier
200.00

8. Adcom GTP-400 & GFA-545 II Combo - $400

9. Adcom gfa-535 II
150.00

10. Adcom GFA-555 Power Amplifier
450.00

What stands out? What is a hard pass?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,802
    edited 10:11AM
    I would also open up your search to Integrated Amps if you haven't been looking at those. If you don't already have a preamp, an integrated might be an easier solution. Separate Pre-amps have their benefits, but some of the well designed integrated amps can provide a very satisfying solution for less money and less potential headaches. NAD, Musical Fidelity, Cambridge, and even Yamaha make some good integrated amps.
    For NAD, the C365BEE or C370 might be worth looking for. For Musical Fidelity, it might be hard to find something under $500, but you might get lucky. Just beware that any amp that is 20+ years old might need some refreshing. Amps that sound good usually run hot and heat over time wears out some of the components. Most of those Adcom amps you mentioned are closer to 30+ years old.
    Post edited by billbillw at
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,381
    I would also recommend an integrated amplifier on that budget.

    Enjoy!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 27,343
    1. Carver M-500t Power Amplifier - 250 WPC, Tube Sound 450.00. IIRC Most if not all of these inverted the signal, IF so they ARE NOT SDA compatible.

    With your SDA's you need to keep to a COMMON GROUND amp, some of these here are not
    GFA-5400 power amplifier do not believe it is common ground.
    Most if not all of these are old enough that you're taking a big gamble that it won't soil the sheets. When some of them DO soil the sheets they can and will take other gear with them, like speakers.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Grabber70Mach
    Grabber70Mach Posts: 53
    OK so it sounds like all the above are duds.

    Looking in my area I found this:

    NAD C356BEE Stereo Amplifier
    300.00

    Or

    A bit closer yo me

    Cambridge Audio A-300 Integrated Stereo Amplifier 40 watts / channel
    100.00
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,802
    edited 3:30PM
    The C356BEE might be OK, but that is significantly less power output than the 365BEE or C370 that I mentioned. If you keep the volume knob under control and listen below 85dB, it would probably be more than enough. They do have a reputation for needing some of the zener diodes replaced. Those tiny parts run hot and NAD probably undersized them from the factory. It would be a fairly easy update/replace/improve those if you can do even the slightest bit of soldering and know how to take stuff apart/put back together without breaking things.
    The Cambridge is under-powered for a pair of SDA.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter