SS amp upgrades - what to expect?

adam2434

With speakers it's pretty easy to characterize differences, preferences, etc. among various makes and models at various price points.

With amps, I have so little personal experience with different makes, models, and price points, that I don't know what to expect and look for as I move up the food chain (as finances allow).

So, the question - assuming current delivery capability is not a primary deficiency in your amp, what kinds of performance gains to you get when you upgrade to higher price/quality ss amps?

Better detail/resolution, soundstage/imaging, tonal balance, etc.? I have no idea.

In my specific situation, I noticed significant improvements when I upgraded to 2 cheap monobridged Audiosource amps from a Pioneer Elite receiver. The AS amps would probably be considered junk to most. So, I'm wondering what an Adcom, Parasound, Rotel, etc. would give me in terms of performance gains over the AS amps.

Thanks,

Adam

RuSsMaN

Better sound.

ohskigod

the Audiosources are ok at there price point, but any of the names you mentioned will be a noticable step up. not just in sound quality, but headroom as well (push em a little harder without breakup or clipping)

I never heard adcom, but I heard parasound and Rotel. Like em both, I lean toward Rotel for home theater but its a toss up for 2 channel between the 2.

go used to start, you'll get far more for the money if your on a budget.

If your using the reciever as the preamp, might want to add a dedicated pre/pro to the mix. that will be a significant jump as well. The Outlaw offerings are pretty good (I got the old 950 and love it) Grab one of them used and you will quickly notice the difference.

have fun

ohskigod

lord knows, your fine in the speaker dept for a while. those LS90's like good amplification. hence the difference going to the audiosource, and more so with the likes of Rotel, Parasound.

adam2434

RuSsMaN wrote:

Better sound.

Thanks Russ, I'm cleaning the beer off my keyboard that I just sprayed when I read your response.

I certainly can't argue with that reply.

steveinaz

One of the things I noticed when moving up the amp chain thru the years, was what appeared to be a lack of bass. What it was in reality was a tighter, more controlled---and deeper bass. This can take some getting used to at first until you start noticing the benefits of bass that is being reproduced realistically, with tonal accuracy. Better amps tend to lose high frequency grain as well, but of course this will depend on what you ultimately buy, and everyhting else in the audio chain...

venomclan

steveinaz wrote:

One of the things I noticed when moving up the amp chain thru the years, was what appeared to be a lack of bass. What it was in reality was a tighter, more controlled---and deeper bass. This can take some getting used to at first until you start noticing the benefits of bass that is being reproduced realistically, with tonal accuracy. Better amps tend to lose high frequency grain as well, but of course this will depend on what you ultimately buy, and everyhting else in the audio chain...

Agreed,
As you climb the amp ladder, you will notice tighter bass, blacker background, less hiss, better vocals, seperation etc...Of course it all depends on the speaker you run and if they mate well with the amp you choose. AS amps are not bad, there are just better choices out there for a little more $. Check out the used market for some great deals. Also some amps are more "musical" than other. Some are better for HT.
Venom

adam2434

Thanks for all the input. I've always been attracted to Parasound gear for some reason. Perhaps I'll start looking around for used.

cfrizz

Adam, you have a wide choice of Parasound amps to choose from right now on Audiogon.

Check it out! I love my 1500A.

adam2434

cfrizz, thanks for the heads-up.

A Parasound 1500A should have enough juice for my LS90s too, right?

cfrizz

At 205 watts I believe so!

Go for it & enjoy!!!!

cfrizz

So did you get one of the Parasounds on sale over at Audiogon? :cool:

adam2434

cfrizz wrote:

So did you get one of the Parasounds on sale over at Audiogon? :cool:

Nah, I haven't made any decisions yet - really in the early stages of looking and researching (and saving).