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Best Sounding used amplifier under 1000???

Looking to get into a used 2 or 3 channel power amplifier to power my Paradigm Studio Reference 80 ver. 1 speakers. Looking at around 200-250 watts per channel or such. I am currently using a Xtant 3300c (60x2, 360x1) high end car amplifier and it sounds so wonderfull but looking to get into more power and with possibly better overall sound (how much more better will it be I dont know?). I'm using Monster Cable M Series CX-4 Bi-wire cable for the speakers. My limit is $1000 used for the amplifier. Please post any comments and suggestions retaining to this idea.

Thanks!
asi_tek
buckingham
333 posts
 
The Mullard CV4004 is a Military grade version of the 12AX7. It sounds better than stock tubes but costs about 5X as much.... They go for about $50 each.
jsrtheta's avatar
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jsrtheta
2 posts
 
Best amp I ever owned is a used Electrocompaniet AW 100. Forget what I paid, but it was under a grand. It's an oldie, but will seemingly last forever. Beats my prior Muse 100, Classe CA 100, Classe 70, Adcoms, B&K and Parasound HCA-750A.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
The CJ amps are nice. You could also pick up a used Adcom for $200 to $500 depending on how much power you need, and send it to Stan Warren for modification.
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porschecab
336 posts
 
No doubt. Take a look. The aother BEAUTY of this amp, being a 4 channel amp, you can BIAMP you speakers and pretty sure you will not find cleaner, more robust power than the Madrigal/Citation 7.1. NOW, if HT is not a concern, roll with the tubes!

Dan
theaudiotweak
2,778 posts
 
I agree with jsrtheta the Electrocompaniet is a great amp sounds more like music than most anything out there.Kills the Adcom B&k Parasound as well as small Krells and Proceeds.Check out and see if there is a Harmonic Precision somewhere out there.I heard one of these at CES a couple of years ago and it sounded incredible.
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