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Agoners: Need Advice! Have 3K to spend on an Amp, what do I do with no way to audition?

Looking for a solid State Amp, something that will go for 30 years or more (My Last Amp), so I don't need high maintenance, with at least 200 WPC @ 8 ohm load.  SO many to choose from...I've narrowed my choices down to several brands, due to the consistency of great reviews; Krell, Pass Labs, Audio Research, McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Classe.  Now looking serious at a couple by Krell or Pass.  I love most types of music, classical, jazz, rock, punk, electronica, metal, but not Rap & Country.  I love great detail in my music, fast and bold but rich and  warm, played soft or loud with a big soundstage, love bass slam and crisp highs, too much midrange hurts my ears. Which amp does it all???  Wife has me limited to this, you know how that is :(...Please help me out here folks...I've been in this dilemma for a few years, it's time to make a decision and buy! 
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jond's avatar
jond
5,687 posts
 
To echo what someone said above a great strategy is to buy used, tons of great SS amps in your price range and below. Buy smart and resell and try something else until you settle on your final amp. If done right it can really cost little above your initial outlay. Plus its fun!
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 
If you actually want the amp to be your last one AND work for 30 years with no issues, then you should go with a McIntosh. (this is what Mac does best....Amps!). Just make sure its a newer double balanced design. (lol newer..they have been making these for 15 yrs or more). Today McIntosh makes very expensive quad balanced designs that are high power (500w 1000w 1200w 2000w), so the 200 to 300 watt ones are going to be pre owned like the MC352 350wx2 or MC402 400wx2. Older designs like the MC2255 250wx2 and non Autoformer (direct coupled) designs like the MC7200 200wx2 stay away from. Find one of the amps I mentioned and the sound will be exactly as you described in your post...Big,wide,detailed,warm,no harshness whatsoever, with great low end control, tightness and excellent tonal balance. The journey is half the fun! :-)


Matt M
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,531 posts
 

i’ll second the Bryston Amps they have been making gear for decades and stand behind everything they make. They do a huge amount of business with the pro side that’s why they can back their stuff with 20 Year warranty as they have a rep to stand by and build for punishment on the road. you would be surprised at home many bands travel with Bryston gear for their live events. that said the newer stuff has a good rep for durability and sound quality.

Just a side noet when I started out in Audio 20 years ago I had a 15 year old bryston pre-amp that needed work I sent it to them and they completely rebuild it upgrading all the old inputs to gold plated ones and updated the transformers came back better then new. They will be here 30 years form now...

IMHO they build better quality then Classe for the money. Sound wise that’s user defined.

dorkwad
539 posts
 
You mentioned class D amps.   I have Nuforce Ref 9 V3 SE monoblock amps.   They put out 175 watts per channel and have great sound.  Even better is the new company that is a spin off of Nuforce--Nuprime.   They make an outstanding amp that is an 8 channel amp, but you can bridge 2 of each adjacent channels and have 4 channels of 400 watts per or just use 4 of the channels and have 400 watts per channel in stereo.  The kicker is that in this last formation, the amp actually sounds better than in the 200 watt per mode.  If you read up on the Nuprime MCH-K38 amp, you'll see that it IS the sound you want in all ways and the B&W speakers will love the extra power reserves the K-38 will give.  Brand new this amp is just under the $3000 mark.  You'll get great dynamics, bass airy highs with tremendous definition, and the mids have a very tube like quality.   Contact John Casler about the Nuprime on Audio Circle.   John says this amp is the best sounding amp he has ever had in his system.   He's had quite a few good amps to use over the years.  
jl35
3,938 posts
 
many/most of the amps being discussed are available for audition in Dallas, starting with Audio Concepts. Not familiar with Ft. Worth but it's close. Certainly if you're looking for a 30+ year amp, it's well worth the trip.  Might even be fun.
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