Used Marantz or New Emotiva/Dayton monoblock?

roscoeiii
roscoeiii Posts: 48
edited April 2008 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
Hi folks,

I need a cheap monoblock amp (no more than $150) to power my passive sub (an NHT SW2), and I'm trying to decide between a used Marantz MA-500 and a new Dayton APA150 (which appears to be identical or similar to the discontinued Emotiva BPA-1). The Marantz is 125W into 8 Ohms and the Dayton (when bridged) is 150W into 8 Ohms, but both seem powerful enough to power the sub. They are both about the same price, so it's just a matter of which will sound better. Is monoblock preferable to a bridged amp? Anyone listened to both? Have any thoughts that could help with the decision? Or any thoughts on other subs I should look into? Thanks.
Post edited by roscoeiii on
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Comments

  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited April 2008
    Try the WTB section you will get more hits.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2008
    Can't go wrong with a Marantz MA-500. Marantz makes a nice monoblock. I haven't heard the Emotiva or the Dayton.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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