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Amp upgrade advice

I am looking to upgrade the amplifiers in 2 of my systems and could really use some advice from experience audiophiles.  I’ve laid out the current systems in my office and kitchen below.   I am happy with the pre-amps and speakers in both rooms.  They are both augmented by subwoofers.  I am interested in upgrading the Amps.  I’ve listed the amps I currently have.  I’m planning to sell thee current Adcom’s to fund upgrades with a few extra dollars.  My research is pointing me to the B&K Reference 125.2 amp.  Both rooms are smaller with smaller speakers so I am thinking quality Amps rated at 125 W should be plenty.

I am asking for your advice:  Am I on the right track?


Office. (12’ x 12’   Closed room)
Pre-Amp. Emotiva BAS X PT-100
Speakers Definitive Tech SM350

Kitchen ( 10’ x 20’. With one open side)
Pre- Amp. Emotiva UMC-200
Speakers Paradigm Reference Millenia One

Amp’s to sell?
Adcom GFA-555 MKII
Adcom GFA-545 MKII

Looking at B&K Reference 125.2

Thank you for any advice.

tbarber20
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

I used to have an Adcom 545 and a B&K 200.5 multi-channel. The Adcom was a very early amp and I ended up not being impressed with it at all. It was okay, but it was warm sounding and very dirty (not clean at all).

The B&K had tons of current and sounded great. They had great slam, power and impact! I think it’s significantly better than the Adcom, but after a few years I felt it was still too warm for me. If you like the warm sonic signature, the B&K is a great option.

If you want something faster and cleaner, the Emotiva amps are an option, but they will be bright/harsh unless you upgrade the fuses to something like an Isoclean. The Isoclean is a warm fuse that tames the harshness of the Emotiva.

Parasound is a good choice. If you can swing for a Parasound A23, do it. They are expensive, but worth it.

aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
the Emotiva amps are an option, but they will be bright/harsh unless you upgrade the fuses to something like an Isoclean. The Isoclean is a warm fuse that tames the harshness of the Emotiva.


Right off the bat, if the overall tonal character of the amp is not good enough stock from factory, avoid it. Knowing you have to change a fuse prior to purchase to make harshness go away is not a good sign (however one man's harshness may be another man's silk). Get the best sounding amp for your budget and system then you can teak away afterward.
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
I purchased a Nuforce STA 200 in April, just to play around, at the close out price. Found a power cord in my collection that works well ( sounds good ). Having owned many amplifiers in my lifetime, let me tell you something. This amp is pretty amazing. My only issue is a tiny bit of hum and noise out of my Klipsch Lascalas, as, this amp is very high gain. 
tbarber20 OP
6 posts
 
Thank you all for the great advice.  I can see I have more research to do.  Fortunately I’m not forced to get something right away, so I can take my time to make the right choice.  Right now I need to decide if it will be worth the investment to upgrade from the Adcom 545 mkii up to the Schiit Vidar.  
alfau7's avatar
alfau7
72 posts
 
Tbarber I'm on the same page as you,  so pardon me but if it's OK,  I will want yo ask to the forum if somebody has heard the Nuforce sta 200 and the parasound a23,  Which one for you guys it's better and why?  Thanks and pardon me 
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