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Budget/value SS power amp recommendation

Hello all would appreciate any recommendations for a budget solid state power amp for a lightly used 3rd system to pair with some tube preamps. Budget is less than $500. New, used , cosmetics irrelevant. Initial thoughts are the following but don’t know if they obtainable on this budget.  

brston 2b
older belles model
used AVA

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome. Would love to find a sleeper under the radar model or something discounted if it’s cosemticlaly challenged . Thanks
kbuzz
monsterman7's avatar
monsterman7
5 posts
 
NAD, Parasound, Emotiva and Adcom all make good budget amps.  The Emotiva and Parasound are naturally a bit bright so choose your DAC's wisely.  The Tube Preamp will help with this as well.  The Adcom range is a bit more neutral in tone and has a big soundstage.   I have no personal experience with NAD.  
When picking a solid state amp try to find the one that weighs the most so you know it has the balls to back up the spec sheet.  

bigddesign3
237 posts
 
NuPrime STA-9 Class D. 120 watts/ch. Beautiful open sound. Can drive just about any load a speaker can. RCA and XLR inputs. $649
I owned one, and it beat out many amps costing much more. Can be bridged for more power. Only way I could get better sound was with a vintage Krell running Class A.
kahlenz's avatar
kahlenz
287 posts
 
Cosmetics irrelevant? Crown XLS 1002 at $299.  Those pro amps do well with low efficiency speakers.  I would not use them for high efficiency speakers (hiss).  The fans are variable and virtually silent. The fans probably will not even switch on with the load you will be presenting to them.  Try one and return it if you don't like it!
kbuzz OP
214 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions....for some reason. A Yamaha m series seems to be calling my name, based partly on suggestions here and not the slim chance of a used belles.....

looming at an M-4 for stability and ease of repair if needed....there is one locally....may try and snag it over the weekend....


kahlenz's avatar
kahlenz
287 posts
 
A brand new Emotiva A-300 can be had for $399.  150 watts rms into 8 ohms per channel.  3 year warranty.  An A-150:  $299.

By the time you purchase the vintage M-4, replace the caps and relays, upgrade the connectors, clean the pots etc. you would be able to buy several of those Emotiva amps, even if you do the work yourself!

On the other hand, the M-4 is vintage cool!  Looks do matter!
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