Nuforce STA200

It is a great amp, and it found a home in my 3rd system running a pair of Wharfedales Emerald 97 mk IVs, but it was beat out by the Proceed BPA2 for this system. 

The amp originally retailed for $1200. I believe NuForce was discontinuing the amp (from what I was told). Nuforce manufacturing produced new batches to run out parts inventory at facility. However, the word got out and the amp has new life with more manufacturing runs. 

I'll be honest, if the sound of the amp with your speaker combination is what you like, you'll be find to find anything better even at $1200. Like I said earlier, I purchased the amp as a "go between" until more funds became available (my old amp blew). I decided to upgrade other components because I am so happy. After the NuForce, I purchased a Rogue tube RP-5, combo is amazing. 

I feel a little embarrassed to ask this question, and I will explain why. Simply, in my 50 plus years at this ( as an audio professional and consumer / hobbyist ), I have opened every amp I have every owned, to do a mod or 2 of some kind ( everything can be modded, for improved sq ). Has anyone been under the hood of the STA 200, as I have a few mods I would like to do. Removing the 4 philips screws from the rear side walls, I would think you spread the side walls, from the rear where the screws were removed, to loosen the top. I have tried, very gently, but they did not budge. I did not want to use excessive force. Nuforce has not answered my emails, as I suppose they do not want me in there. I would appreciate any response. BTW, as I have said before, this amp does so much right, musically, that although some amps might be better in 1 or 2 ways ( through a particular set of speakers, due to efficiency / impedance ), this little amp is quite the beast. I have owned AR, Krell, CJ, Threshold, Bedini, Ampzilla, you name it. Amp sounds best on a non resonant shelf, being left on continuously with signal playing through it ( a few hundred hours ), an after market power cord, and a 1-2 lb weight on the top center ( I use a thinking man statue over a padded piece of 4 in. X 4 in. piece of granite. Enjoy ! and Happy Holidays. MrD.

Can't help you open the case.

My purchase of the amp was necessitated when one of my monoblock amps blew out. I was looking for something that was relatively inexpensive that would hold me over until I could figure out whether I was going to purchase something in the price range of a Bryston 3BSST, Simaudio W3/W5, etc. To my surprise the damn thing sounds as good as others have commented and with my modest apartment it drives speakers as loud as my neighbors can stand.

I bought one of these probably about a year ago. Haven't tried it yet. I bought a Schiit Sage preamp to go with it. Has anyone tried the Saga with it? I've been wondering if the gains will match each other.