2. amps-preamps
  3. 1017731957

Is there a better amp than this...

Aerial 10T's, Citation 7.1, a 4 channel 150 x 4 @8 ohm, or 210 x 4 @4 ohm loads. High current amp, this workhorse kicks the Aerial 10T's into gear. Now, what makes this amp, IMHO, the best amp for the dollar is because it is 4 channel and allows a pair of speakers to be BIAMPED! This is a Madrigal product and the sound is VERY warm, much more musical than I ever gave it credit for. Granted, the 10T's aren't bad on their own, preamp is a Theta Casablanca, the source is the EAD TheaterVision (sorry CD owners, I know..)
with Tara labs all around. The amp at one point listed at $2,800, but was being sold on UBID for somewhere in the $1,000 range. Now, those "B" stock items are being sold for $1,095 elsewhere, but the real deal is a preowned "A" stock, roughly $850!

The challenge:

Can anyone identify a better valued amp that can push low impedance speakers at very loud levels with midrange warmth as well as bottom end slam for roughly $850?

Thanks, and look forward to your responses!

Dan
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boski
8 posts
 
NAD S200
rcprince
3,068 posts
 
You could try a pair of Meitner MTR 101s, used they run $800-1,000, depending on their vintage.
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Odyssey Stratos new at $1000 plus a 20 year warranty. Never heard the Citation nor the Stratos, but if the multitude of reviews on the Stratos are even close to being accurate, there probably is not an amp that can compare value-wise and power-wise to the Stratos at less than $3k or $4k.
beemer
444 posts
 
10t. Been there, done that. You are in denial. Big current is what makes 'em sing. The run-of-the-mill short $$ amps will not get you where you want to be, but keep bangin' your head against the wall, its OK! Audio is a great adventure for sure. 10t will brutally show you EVERY flaw in front of them, LOL! But when you get it right, MAGIC!

beemer
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Beemer, you are correct. The 10T's love lots of power and that's what it takes to make them sing.

With smaller budgets, I would certianly recommend a pair of monoblock Odyssey Stratos which should probably work just fine with the 10T's. One Stratos would not be very good but still wouldn't sound too bad.

I'm guessing of course since I've never actually listened to the Stratos.

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