Quick amp survey

fyrn
fyrn Posts: 146
edited September 2011 in Electronics
I know what I'm asking is subjective but generally speaking how would you rate amps by brand ,(major brands that is, parasound, adcom, emotiva, rotel, etc), from best to "worst".
Post edited by fyrn on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited September 2011
    Too wide and subjective question, many here will have a different budget and ear. Never mind different other pieces of equipment.

    If you are looking for serious feedback on your needs and budget then specify those needs and budget.

    IMO of course.

    Oh yeah, the way this thread could go will be closed as it could turn into manufactor bashing.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bklynNupe
    bklynNupe Posts: 728
    edited September 2011
    What's a better dish, Chicken Alfredo or Beef Stroganoff?

    Your question is way too vague. What is it that you are trying to quantify?

    Why not name a couple of specific makes and models and do a poll if you are trying to figure out which might work best in your set up?
    And it?s still going to be very subjective.

    emotiva xpa-2
    emotiva xpa-3
    Denon 3312ci
    Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
    Samsung LN46A650
    SVS PB-12-NSD sub

    Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
    W4S ST250
    Lsi 9 (mods)
    W4S DAC-2
    Mac Mini
    Audio Aero Prima CD player
    Pro-Ject debut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited September 2011
    You pretty much can't go wrong with the brands you selected. However it depends on your speakers, pre/pro, type of listening, sound you want etc.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited September 2011
    Depends on what you are looking for. Budget or No Budget, Solid State or Tube, Stereo or HT, Warm, Sterile, Bright, Dark.

    Solid State Amps:
    Conrad Johnson
    Musical Fidelity
    Mark Levinson
    Classe
    Krell
    Bryston
    B&K, Rotel
    Adcom, Parasound, NAD Same level to me.

    Tube Amps:
    Pass Labs
    Musical Fidelity
    Conrad Johnson
    Manley
    VTL
    Audio Research
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fyrn
    fyrn Posts: 146
    edited September 2011
    It is not my intention to start a bashfest.
    Let me rephrase, I'm in the market for a good used amp in the $400-500 range to drive some LSI'9's and from looking around there are choices to have.
    As I said, I'm new to the amp world, so I was wondering if among the choices one is generally consider a better brand over another. Just as a Honda is generally better brand than a KIA.
    My choices are parasound, rotel, emotiva and adcom. I know they are all good brands and probably cant go wrong with any of them. But generally speaking.......

    Some choices are Parasound 1205, rotel 976, adcom 7605, emotiva xpa3 and such
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tbone289
    Tbone289 Posts: 661
    edited September 2011
    fyrn wrote: »
    Honda is generally better brand than a KIA.

    Is it? Kia has a better (longer) powertrain warranty, so some people may think KIA is the better brand. Honda has better resale value, so some might think Honda is the better brand.
    2.1: PC>Schiit Gungnir MB>Schiit Freya Noval>NAD C-270>Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1, HSU STF-2 5.1: HDMI Bitstream>Denon AVR-1910>polkaudio RTE55, CS350-LS, RT3, HSU STF-2, Visio M55-F0
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited September 2011
    From the group you listed.

    Adcom 7605 or Parasound 1205 Would be my first choice. Biamped to the LSI's
    Rotel 976 is low in watts but a stout design. I would probably skip it though.

    I would not use an Emo with LSi's personally.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,982
    edited September 2011
    Any of the 4 will power them just fine. you can buy the Emo New and have a warranty with it..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fyrn
    fyrn Posts: 146
    edited September 2011
    Joe08867 wrote: »
    From the group you listed.

    Adcom 7605 or Parasound 1205 Would be my first choice. Biamped to the LSI's
    Rotel 976 is low in watts but a stout design. I would probably skip it though.

    I would not use an Emo with LSi's personally.

    Thanks joe, I guess to simplify thing I'll just ask things these way
    Out of these four amps (parasound 1205, rotel 976, adcom 7605, emotiva xpa3) what would be the better choice (1-4) to drive the 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bklynNupe
    bklynNupe Posts: 728
    edited September 2011
    I used an emotiva xpa-2 for my LSI9?s and it didn?t work well for me. It worked fine for my Rti a9?s that I primarily use for HT, but not for the Lsi9?s for music.
    A member here on the forum (Face) recommended the W4S ST-250 and I couldn?t be happier. :wink: You can find them on audiogon for a good used price. The W4S gave me a bit of warmth and refinement I was looking for. I owned a Rotel, but I have not heard any of the specific models you mentioned here.

    emotiva xpa-2
    emotiva xpa-3
    Denon 3312ci
    Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
    Samsung LN46A650
    SVS PB-12-NSD sub

    Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
    W4S ST250
    Lsi 9 (mods)
    W4S DAC-2
    Mac Mini
    Audio Aero Prima CD player
    Pro-Ject debut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,396
    edited September 2011
    Joe08867 wrote: »
    Depends on what you are looking for. Budget or No Budget, Solid State or Tube, Stereo or HT, Warm, Sterile, Bright, Dark.


    Tube Amps: [/U]
    Pass Labs

    Pass amps aren't tube amps. Just SS amps that have tube-like qualities. :smile:

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited September 2011
    The answer to your question doesn't even matter because if you are really interested in audio, in a matter of months you will be sucked down the rabbit hole, changing your mind and spending money on new equipment like a coke fiend.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited September 2011
    ...prepare for 25 different "this amp is the best" answers.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited September 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Pass amps aren't tube amps. Just SS amps that have tube-like qualities. :smile:

    H9

    Yeah I noticed I screwed up after I posted but of course it was to late to edit. I was hoping nobody noticed the error. :wink:

    But you are right. SS with a tube like quality to them. :cool:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fyrn
    fyrn Posts: 146
    edited September 2011
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    The answer to your question doesn't even matter because if you are really interested in audio, in a matter of months you will be sucked down the rabbit hole, changing your mind and spending money on new equipment like a coke fiend.

    I'm already in the rabbit hole, I'm trying to climb out of it. That's why I'm asking so I choose a decent ampe the first time. I'm not looking for the best, just a good one.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited September 2011
    Start a poll instead of this method and you'll get easier results.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 26,927
    edited September 2011
    You really just need to get your ears on some of what you think you'll like.
    They will all sound different in their own way. Don't get caught up in watts I had a 150wpc amp just blow my Carver TFM 45 375wpc out of the water so bad it just wasn't funny...the amp was made by Ayre. To be fair it was many many dollars more used than mine was brand new.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nwohlford
    nwohlford Posts: 700
    edited September 2011
    fyrn wrote: »
    I'm already in the rabbit hole, I'm trying to climb out of it. That's why I'm asking so I choose a decent ampe the first time. I'm not looking for the best, just a good one.

    Sadly, you just think you are climbing out, but you are really just digging deeper.

    The same principle holds for when you try explain/justifying your latest purchase to your significant other.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited September 2011
    Buy them all and resell the 3 you don't want.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited September 2011
    At one time or another I have owned Parasound(1), Rotel (2), and Adcom (2). I have not owned a Emotiva. I do not have experience with those specific models.

    Anyway (if it were MY elimination process), I would scrap the Rotel (sounds OK but too underpowered). I personally would eliminate the Adcom. They are bright to begin with, age is a factor, and there is better quality at all levels with the Parasound. After getting down to the Parasound & the Emotiva I'm not sure what I would do except try and listen to both. My heart tells me the Parasound but the Emotiva is relatively easy to listen to and return if you don't like it. It does have the new/warranty thing if that's important to you.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • teamjhertz
    teamjhertz Posts: 361
    edited September 2011
    I was pleased with the XPA-3 for HT performance powering a LSI front stage. I did not have any problems with it for music, but I do not have that critical ear yet. I think it is a great 1st amp.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter