Monster 3250 amp question

mark090852
mark090852 Posts: 996
edited August 2007 in Electronics
I'm looking at a couple of "for sale" listings for the Monster 3250 SS three channel amp. Does anyone have any experience with or thoughts about Monster amps? I'd be using it to drive my two fronts and center channel speakers. Here's a link to the amp's web page.

http://www.monstercable.com/power/productPagePower.asp?pin=1903&LastPage=Amplifiers
McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
Post edited by mark090852 on

Comments

  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited August 2007
    Some people on here bought them & like them just fine. So long as your not paying retail for them, have at it.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited August 2007
    These amps are designed by Richard Marsh, who has a good reputation for building amps in the audiophile community. Don't think of them in the same rep as 'overpriced wire'. They are really great ss amps with a lot of power. I own both the two and three channel models powering my LSi setup. They will beat any ss amp bang for the buck at the sub $1000 street price you can often find them at. Clear highs, increased bass, tightened everything up with better low end slam compared to my denon 3803. And they're often factory sealed new on ebay. Although the quantities available have really dropped off from last year. The meters really show how much (little) power it takes to get even LSis up to hefty volume levels. But you can turn them off if you don't like the distraction.
  • mark090852
    mark090852 Posts: 996
    edited August 2007
    cheddar wrote: »
    These amps are designed by Richard Marsh, who has a good reputation for building amps in the audiophile community. Don't think of them in the same rep as 'overpriced wire'. They are really great ss amps with a lot of power. I own both the two and three channel models powering my LSi setup. They will beat any ss amp bang for the buck at the sub $1000 street price you can often find them at. Clear highs, increased bass, tightened everything up with better low end slam compared to my denon 3803. And they're often factory sealed on ebay. Although the quantities available have really dropped off from last year.

    Thanks for the info. There's one listed on eBay now that is new, sealed in the box. I'm going to keep my eye on it.

    Chedder, would it be possible for you to measure the dimensions of your 3 channel amp? There is a discrepancy on their web page that I have linked on the first post above. At the top of the page it has one set of dimensions listed and further down in the specifications section there is another set of dimensions listed. If it is the size of the top dimensions it is way too large to fit my space.
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited August 2007
    Been using two 3250's for almost a couple years with no complaints!

    They power four LSi15's, and an LSiC effortlessy. Hardly moving the power meters at ear deafening listening levels.

    No plans for upgrading these amps, they are more than I'll ever use.
  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited August 2007
    17W X 7 1/2H(with feet) x 19 1/2 D

    Thanks for the correction Cheddar!:)

    The measurements are without the rack mounts. And the depth or length is 20 1/4" with the side wings. Sorry about that!
  • mark090852
    mark090852 Posts: 996
    edited August 2007
    MikeC78 wrote: »
    17W X 9 1/2D(with feet) x 19 1/2 L


    Thanks, Mike, I think it will fit my space just fine. I'm going to have to watch that listing on eBay closely.
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited August 2007
    I only see a 2250 or 5150 on Ebay?

    Nevermind, I found it.:o
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited August 2007
    MikeC78 wrote: »
    17W X 9 1/2D(with feet) x 19 1/2 L

    20 1/4" L including the side wings that help protect the binding posts and other stuff on the back when you move the beast...;)

    The two dimensions include or exclude the optional rack mounting kit. Go with the smaller numbers since the amp comes with the rack ears in a box, not installed.

    Edit: Oh, they have another set of numbers at the top. Not sure how they got those, but the bottom numbers are more accurate.
  • mark090852
    mark090852 Posts: 996
    edited August 2007
    As long as the height is not the 11 7/8" they have listed at the top I might be ok. I think just under 10" is all I have room for, and that wouldn't leave much room for air circulation. They have the height listed in the specifications section as 7.75" with feet. Mike, your measurement was 9 1/2". I wonder if heat would be a problem? Does it run very hot?
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited August 2007
    Mark,

    I measured 7 1/2 " from top to bottom with the feet.

    Does it run hot? I'd say it gets pretty warm, but nothing hot to touch. I actually run a couple cooling fans on the very top of mine as they are stacked in my cabinet.

    I wouldn't run it enclosed, and I'd defenitly leave a few inches of breathing room.
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited August 2007
    They do generate heat. You'll want good air circulation around these amps. But you should have room. My 2250 sits just 7.5" tall off the shelf. The 3250 should be similar. But it's in a rack, not on a shelf so I didn't measure the feet. 6 15/16" without the feet, though. How did you get over 9" Mike?
  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited August 2007
    :o My bad!! It is a 7 1/2" height!:o

    Sorry about that, not feeling to well at the moment.:(
  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited August 2007
    These are the correct dimensions on the site:

    Dimensions Width Without Rack Ears: 17in / 434mm
    With Rack Ears: 19in / 484mm
    Height With Feet: 7.75in / 193.5mm
    Without Feet: 7in / 177mms
    Total Depth: 20.25in / 514mm
  • mark090852
    mark090852 Posts: 996
    edited August 2007
    Thanks, guys, for straightening all that out. I think I'll be ok with the size. Just have to keep my eye on the Ebay listing and one on Audiogon.
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.