Ideas on a <$200 2 Channel Amp

Shicks18
Shicks18 Posts: 397
edited July 2008 in Electronics
Wanting to power my LSi9 fronts. Going to buy used. Anything under $200 would be awesome, I have plenty of time to shop (4 weeks) and I know its easy to find deals if your patient.

If anyone has ideas for brands/models throw them out here! If anyone has an amp for sale then PM me!

Thanks
TV: LG 55LW5600
Pre: Marantz SR6001
Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
Center Amp: Marantz MA500
Mains: Polk LSi9
Center: Polk LSiC
Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
Games: Xbox360 and PS3
Post edited by Shicks18 on
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Comments

  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited July 2008
    Google "gainclone" get your read on, then go buy. I got mine for $160 and am more then happy with it powering a pair of 9s. I would get a clone using the LM3886 chip, if you do your reading it is the best chip for a 4ohm load. Don't buy the one on Agon, the guy is a scumbag and selling it for 2x what he paid for it...and it is very underpowered.

    Beyond that you will probably be looking at craigslist or local tagsales/goodwill for a good buy. Tough to find anything of decent quality below $200...at least that is commonly accepted as "hi-fi".

    Maybe a used pro amp, if you can handle the fan noise.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited July 2008
    An Adcom GFA-545, or 5400 can be had at that price, or just a little more. Cheak out Audiogon.com, and watch Ebay. Search the for sale section here too. Many good deals, and its a safe place to buy.
    Happy hunting.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited July 2008
    yea that was one I had my eye on. Whats an ideal WPC range for the 9s, 150-250?
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited July 2008
    Shicks18 wrote: »
    yea that was one I had my eye on. Whats an ideal WPC range for the 9s, 150-250?

    http://www.adcom.com/manuals.aspx
    130 watts of Adcom is much more than 130 watts of receiver. Parasound is another older amp that rocks.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • WastelandWand'r
    WastelandWand'r Posts: 466
    edited July 2008
    Considered Carver TFM 15? They can be had for less then that, of course the pre is additional $. 100 Watts of Carver isn't all that bad.
    Home Rig

    SDA 2.3TL's front and center
    Polk 1000p Center
    Pioneer Elite SC35 Receiver (Pre/Surround
    Sunfire Cinema Grand 5X200-Back in the mix.
    OPPO BDP-93
    Squeezebox
    Stepped up to name brand Speaker Cables and interconnects!
    Monitor 4, 5, 7, 10's, SDA 1B's, 2B's, 2.3TL's, RTA 15TL's all in storage waiting for me.
    Sales Rating #1!!
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited July 2008
    Yes I will have a pre
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,380
    edited July 2008
    I love my Adcom 545 paired with my LSi 7's. I think I paid exactly $200 for mine and would highly recommend it in this price range.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited July 2008
    Audiosource makes a 2 ohm stable amp that's a relative bargain. The Amp One, Amp 200 (equivalent) (2x125 @ 4ohm) or Amp 300 (2x 250 @ 4 ohms). Used or refurb can be found for < $200. I'd still lean toward a used Adcom, but these are newer. I've never had a problem with the one I've owned and it's at least 10 years old.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2008
    if you have not purchased,, you might want to consider two Adcom 535's,and bi-amp horizonitally,,I have this config with a Dodd ELP and Tyler Acoustic Monitors. It's worked out well for me.Good luck.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,380
    edited July 2008
    Ron Temple wrote: »
    Audiosource makes a 2 ohm stable amp that's a relative bargain. The Amp One, Amp 200 (equivalent) (2x125 @ 4ohm) or Amp 300 (2x 250 @ 4 ohms). Used or refurb can be found for < $200. I'd still lean toward a used Adcom, but these are newer. I've never had a problem with the one I've owned and it's at least 10 years old.

    I didn't think about Audiosource, but Fry's has been having an one on sale for $150. I think it's the Amp One, but whatever the case it might be worth looking into if you live near a Fry's.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited July 2008
    Classic Yamaha (m series), Proton, NAD, Carver and Parasound can all be found in your price range and would work well. Just depends on what comes up first for you. Keep an eye on club polk, ebay, audiogon, videogon and craigs list for possibilities...

    Good luck,

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • IrishNiner
    IrishNiner Posts: 116
    edited July 2008
    I was just a Fry's yesterday and they have the Audiosource Amp 300 on sale for $150.00 until the 15th.

    Hope this helps.

    Farrell
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2008
    this guy has no feedback,, but it might be worth a try


    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1221066943
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited July 2008
    yea, I saw that but don't really wanna risk a $50 savings on someone with 0 seller feedback, no pics etc

    edit: I narrowed down my choices to 3 amps which I made a new thread about.
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited July 2008
    tex has a tfm-15 or 25. I'm not sure he's wanting to selling it or not. He recently bought a m1.5t which probably replaced it. He now has 2 pair of sda's so he might be thinking about putting together a 2nd rig.

    he's in tyler just a short drive away.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited July 2008
    Onkyo makes something in that price range, i believe, but i don't have any first hand experience with it. Seems to get good reviews, though.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2008
    sometimes it's worth inquiring,, I got a nice set of mono's from a seller with no pic's or feedback,,I always speak with the person if I do not know them,,Anyhow,, good luck in you search.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited July 2008
    search on adcom on audiogon. There is a GFA-555 for sale for $200. A heck of a deal.
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited July 2008
    McLoki wrote: »
    search on adcom on audiogon. There is a GFA-555 for sale for $200. A heck of a deal.

    Its still there?
    Damn
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,380
    edited July 2008
    Here's the link to the Adcom McLoki mentioned. Definately check it out.
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1221066943
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2008
    It might be a good deal,,they do come up from time to time,,especially for someone local,or maybe an arrangement could be struck with the seller. It's difficult (sometimes) to sell on A'gon with 0 feedback,,does'nt mean he is legit,,and/or not. Good luck either way.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,124
    edited July 2008
    A lot of good choices under 100 bucks.

    Carver? The sweetspot on the Carver's is the TFM-45/42/m4.0t and the TFM-35. Those tend to be more expensive.

    That said, NAD, Rotel, Parasound, Adcom.....LOTS of options. The thing is, don't get too wrapped around the axle about (sorry, Cathy) WPC. 50wpc for most applications is plenty.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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