Monster 2 channel amplifier?

Jockos

I'm thinking of purchasing a monster amp. Anyone have any experience with them. On ebay they're going for around $900. they seem pretty well built. I think it weighs about 75lbs! Originally I was thinking about another Adcom 5500. The front panel on the monsters are abit cheesy looking though. But I guess its the construction and sound. Any suggestions or opinions welcome.

reeltrouble1

Monster is cheesy I like that analogy. It's Swiss Cheesy full of holes. My subjective statement is you will be much better off with a B&K which is not cheesy, or a Parasound which is classy, or a NAD for that matter which is solid. You have alot of choices at 900.00 go take a look at www.audiogon.com

RT1

jabrax

Everything I have seen about those amps is they are great amp in that range....Haven't seen any bad info on them from people who have purchased the amp. No complaints about the sound and raves about the customer service when needed. A search in this forum should get you those threads

Dennis Gardner

My understanding is that Monster amps are made by ATI who also makes their own great amps and those of the boys at Outlaw.

I would think that is a pretty good pedigree as far as amps go, with a bad marketing name image.

Good amp, POS company ethics.

Early B.

Buy it.

The Monster 250-watt 3-channel amps are going for $849 brand new on ebay. They weigh 92 lbs!!!

thehaens@cox.net

Jockos wrote:

I'm thinking of purchasing a monster amp. Anyone have any experience with them. On ebay they're going for around $900. they seem pretty well built. I think it weighs about 75lbs! Originally I was thinking about another Adcom 5500. The front panel on the monsters are abit cheesy looking though. But I guess its the construction and sound. Any suggestions or opinions welcome.

It really is too bad that anything that Monster puts out is scrutinized to the 9's by every forum out there. I have the 2250, and just purchased the 3250.

This amplifier was designed my Richard Marsh, a name that has been paired with some pretty respectable gear by MIT and Wilson Audio. I personnally don't think that the Monster Amps are an exception to the rule. The 2250 that I have is large, obtrusive, and puts out a heck of a lot more clean power than it is rated at. I have the amp powering my SRS 1.2's and this particular amp does what my Parasound HCA-1500 didn't. The Parasound is a great amp. I owned it for 6 years, never thought I would pull it from my system. But there really isn't a comparison to the 2250. It made a huge difference in the highs, lows, and everything in betweeen. It is simply a much more dynamic amp than the HCA is.

You will not be dissapointed I assure you. And as far as the cheesy lights go, you can turn them off completely.

Is it worth the retail? Absolutely not. For the close to 3K retail price on it, I would of bought a used Krell, or Rowlands to try out. But for the price they are going for on ebay. It is a relative bargain. I have seen them go Brand New for less than 700.00.

Monsters Warranty and Customer Service - Superb.

Example:

When I bought my 2250 I got it on the cheap when an A/V store was closing its doors. The amp didn't have the power cable. I called them, they sent me a brand new power cable, and didn't even concern themself with asking me to provide a receipt to prove I even bought it from a retailer (I bought it from the Good Guys).

I had a problem with one of my banks on my power conditioner (HTS-5000), instead of repairing they sent me out a brand new in box HTS-5100.

Again, this is my view of the amp and the company. I know there are a lot of people out there that avoid the company like the plague. Regardless of the forum you are on, they get bashed.

If you are in a position where you can purchase it from a retailer first and they have a 30 day return policy then recommend you go that route, throw it on the CC, use it.....like it....return it...and then buy it from elsewhere. Let someone else buy the one you used in a open box status.

Good Luck

Scott

thehaens@cox.net

Early B. wrote:

Buy it.

The Monster 250-watt 3-channel amps are going for $849 brand new on ebay. They weigh 92 lbs!!!

Yep. I just bought one from that seller at his opening bid of 819.99. Pick it up from UPS tomorrow...

thehaens@cox.net

One more thing..........

Not sure if you were looking at the two channel one on the bay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Monster-Cable-MPA-2250-SS-Power-Amplifier-Amp-NIB_W0QQitemZ110022474371QQihZ001QQcategoryZ46248QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/Monster-Cable-MPA-2250-SS-Power-Amplifier-Amp-NIB_W0QQitemZ150023371813QQihZ005QQcategoryZ46248QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I don't know how this guy pulled this off, notice two different seller ID's, with the same email address to ask questions to. Also 100% feedback on both seller ID's

So I send an email to the seller ID that has 340 positive feedbacks. Within 2 minutes I get this reply back...

"Please name the price you would be happy to get this item for, considering it's retail price, the fact that I will pay shipping and insurance using FedEx priority, and we'll go from there. I am interested in a fast sale, let me know if you are ready to buy this item. For payment I would like to use Western Union as it's fast and simple to use. You will get tracking information for your merchandise, after payment details are received. You will get a 15 day inspection period for the item, if you are not satisfied with the product, you can send it back and you will get a full refund. So the ball is in your court, let me know if you want it as well the price you want to offer and we could start this transaction right away if this is acceptable. Awaiting your reply,



Best Regards,
Joe "

Early B.

There are a couple of red flags embedded in that messege. Not sure anyone would want to buy them anyways. Those amps are located in Italy.

Jockos

Thanks, and yes that seller sounds pretty suspicious.

cheddar

The 2250 powers my lsi15s and the 3250 powers my lsic and lsifxs. I don't know what I can add except that my experience is very close to scott's. Globs of power and a very crisp, clean sound. Everything tightens up and the bass punches harder in my HT set-up moving from a denon 3803. The only thing about buying them cheap is you have to know your way around ebay. But if you're comfortable with that, it's a no brainer to get them for the price. You just can't touch that kind of quality and power for the price they go for.

I also have gotten the no questions asked fed/ex shipped brand new replacement cables from monster. Customer service is top tier. They only get a bad rap 'cause of their pricey cables and predatory legal department that sues anyone with monster in their name.

BTW, you can audition them pretty easily if you have a Frys nearby. They carry the 2250 and have a really good return policy.

Good luck with your decision.

mulveling

thehaens@cox.ne wrote:

So I send an email to the seller ID that has 340 positive feedbacks. Within 2 minutes I get this reply back...

That seller is a scammer, 100%. Outside USA + Western Union = scam. I have no doubt those Monster amps at those prices would have been a great deal if legit, though.

cheddar

They seem to come in waves on ebay. There have been times like now when there are barely any for sale and times when there are a whole page of offers from power sellers. When the power sellers come in, the prices go down too. I remember a factory sealed 3250 going for just $680. Now may not be the time to buy...

scottvamp

Hello Polksters - long **** time....
Ya, I visit and check up on you guys from time to time.
I bought two Monster 3250's off of Ebay about 2 months ago. I found a warehouse power seller and emailed him. I struck up a deal for two new Monster Amps for $1600 in the door. Set up payment on PayPal (buyer protection) and they were here a few days later.
Run all 6 channels on my HT rig and love these babies. 92LB's a unit and awesome looks to match. (Found NO Cheese) The more they break in the better they sound. More power than i will ever need but I like all the reserve.
Just wanted to say HI and to give these amps respect for the killer prices that they are going for. Using my Onkyo as a pre-amp with much debate over a new Outlaw. They Onk has lots of bells and whistles and performs very well. Still running two surrounds off of it.

Also got my SVS 12.3's in the house..............

Anyone that is interested in the Ebay Monster Amp Seller Email me and I get you the info.........:cool:

reeltrouble1

well, the second mouse got the cheese Scott.

I just cant stomach them anymore, no need to hash out why all over again, cept to say when they did in the kids snow board organization that was it for me.

RT1--out

Jockos

Hey Scottyvamp,

Can you send me the info on the Ebay seller. I'm insterested in the 2 channel monster amp.

Jockos

scottvamp

No problem, but i am at work today and the info is on my home computer. I'll get you the seller's info when i get home this evening, Jockos.

Jockos

Thanks

scottvamp

PM Sent

How about a 200lb pic. - the new twins;)

fredv

scottvamp wrote:

PM Sent

How about a 200lb pic. - the new twins;)

Looks cool!!

josh_parsons626

I know this isn't the right spot to talk about this but Monster products have been brought up so I figured I'd give it a whirl. I LOVE monster anyway and in the end I think I'll end up with all monster amps all the way around for all 7 speakers (way down the road LOL). But I was wanting to know if anybody has any experience with the Monster speakers? I've actually looked at them on their site but honestly have never heard anything about them. Does anybody have any actual real listening experience?

scottvamp

A good forum debate on the monster amps. They are selling out fast. Monster may have new amps to come. Overstock.com sold out.....
http://www.htguide.com/forum/archive/index.php4/t-12381

Jockos

Thanks, I'm trying to find one on ebay from a decent seller. Most I have seen are the 3 channel model.

cheddar

Because the 3 channel comes up far more often, it is usually as cheap or cheaper than the 2 channel version on ebay. Unless you plan to bridge the amp at some point, the 3250 will do the same job +1 channel as the 2250.

Gaara

I don't know if they are changing their amps, but they just changed the Signature Series line conditioners, the top of the line is now $1999 instead of $1499.

Jared

PolkThug

eff M*

cheddar

Gaara wrote:

I don't know if they are changing their amps, but they just changed the Signature Series line conditioners, the top of the line is now $1999 instead of $1499.

Jared

They've been doing that for awhile now, slapping handles and 20a lables on them, calling them pro install power or something like that. Says the handles are removable. Wonder if I can get them to send me some :rolleyes:?

univera

thehaens@cox.ne wrote:

One more thing..........

Not sure if you were looking at the two channel one on the bay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Monster-Cable-MPA-2250-SS-Power-Amplifier-Amp-NIB_W0QQitemZ110022474371QQihZ001QQcategoryZ46248QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/Monster-Cable-MPA-2250-SS-Power-Amplifier-Amp-NIB_W0QQitemZ150023371813QQihZ005QQcategoryZ46248QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I don't know how this guy pulled this off, notice two different seller ID's, with the same email address to ask questions to. Also 100% feedback on both seller ID's

So I send an email to the seller ID that has 340 positive feedbacks. Within 2 minutes I get this reply back...

Avoid these type auctions like the plague! The listings were taken down by Ebay, that's why you can't find them. Anytime a seller wants you to use Western Union, look elsewhere. Ebay recommends against WU as there is a ton of fraud via WU and Europe. You will definitely lose your money. This appears to be a seller who has taken over other's accounts. This is a frequent scam on Ebay where someone will keep relisting the same item, get removed, then relist it on another account. All it takes it someone falling for those fake emails everyone gets and giving away their password. Another common thing seen in this example is a "canned" answer offering to make a deal, etc. Just send me the money....Yea right. I sell on Ebay frequently and am very aware of these types of scams. Another example of too good to be true..

Also, if this isn't common sense, if a seller ever says "Don't email through my Ebay address because I don't check it often, email me at "X" address instead," instant fraud alert. They don't want the account they have taken over to discover their scam. I'll bet that is the way these two listings were set up, with a special address for questions or fast response.

univera

"I just cant stomach them anymore, no need to hash out why all over again, cept to say when they did in the kids snow board organization that was it for me."



****! Don't forget the Cookie Monster....