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Class D vs Class AB - Looking for best used budget amplifier for Magnepan MG12

I am in the market for a budget used amp for my Magnepan MG12.

I tried Parasound classic line, model 2125 and currently using Parasound model 275. Both amps can easily drive the maggies up to 90db without any audible distortion.

I am considering a budget class D amp like Crown, Behringer etc. or a class AB amp with MOSFET output stage, like B&K or other options like, Parasound, NAD, Anthem, Sunfire etc.

Price range $300 - $600 for a used unit.

What I’m looking for is an improvement in power, soundstage and detail to get best performance out of the Maggies MG12 compared to current setup with Parasound 2125 or 275.

Amps came into my mind in that price range so far:

B&K ST125.2

Parasound HCA 1500A

Crown Pro XLi1500

Crown XLS2502


Questions:

1- Can Crown modern Class D-Drive Core Technology like Crown Pro XLi1500 or Crown XLS2502 with lot of power sound as good or better than a class AB amp with maggies?

2- Is B&K ST125.2 a good match or better than Crown XLS2502 - Crown Pro XLi1500 for the MG12? Which one does sound better with the Maggies?

Thanks


thxbest
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
If you really want Class D, get the most recent iteration. The technology has been improving by leaps and bounds in the past few years.
If Atmasphere finally gets one to offer, I will be one of the first adopters.
Bob
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,133 posts
 
Rogue audio has several digital amps with a Vacuum Tube preamp stage that are very respectable.
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
A. OR A/AB.  
mess with D and be disappointed


 don’t be fooled by the hype. 
 There is no substitute,,,,,,,,,
moofoo
291 posts
 
There are some used Acurus amps, used to be made by Mondial (?), out there on a couple of the used sites, pretty reasonable prices. These were popular back in the day and seemed to get good reviews. I think the Acurus brand had a re-launch a few years ago. Just a thought.
batman1971
96 posts
 
Those crowns are industrial sounding.     If you listen to speed metal you might like them.  If you listen to any other kind of music it will sound like a PA  amplifier.    The paramount or rotel or adcom amps of the 90s should be in your budget maybe old Aragon or soundcraftsman would be a little more rare to find but sound pretty darn good  on your budget 
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