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Threshold, Levinson, Bryston, Krell, ?others? used amps


Hi All.  I'm looking for a bang for the buck, diamond in the rough, 200-ish WPC power amp that will hang really tough with what's out there today in the vintage or recently new realm.  Trying to keep $$$ under 2K.  I currently own a Nakamichi PA-7 (Nelson Pass Stasis design).  Looking for an amp that is great at doing the disappearing act, smooth sounding, but not colored, and with lots of authority.  I realize that there are as many opinions on this as stars in the night sky but thought I would ask anyway.  Been considering a Threshold S/500, Levinson 23.5, Bryston 4B family.  Any standouts that I should try to find?  Let's hear from you.
mjt_tx
wturkey's avatar
wturkey
771 posts
 
The Odyssey Stratos or Khartago, as previously mentioned, is a very good candidate. If purchased new, 20 year warranty. Tough to beat for the money. USA made.
jenis
4 posts
 
Threshold S-500 with optical bias sound very Nice and have lots of Power.
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
When it comes to PRE owned amps, I would buy a McIntosh if I were you.


Matt
cheeg's avatar
cheeg
246 posts
 
+1 on McCormack amps; you may be able to find a DNA-1 with a recent gold-upgrade in your budget.  I had mine upgraded 6 mos ago and virtually EVERYTHING but the chassis was replaced with new and often upgraded parts and boards.  It is essentially a new, upgraded amp, and Steve is still around for repairs and tweaks.  It sounds awesome; I can't' recommend them highly enough.
imthorek
21 posts
 
I never bought a used amps other than from my audio dealer who accept return for up to a year if something goes wrong.  I did start with used ADCOM, then went to  new Carver Monoblocks in the '80s  and settled with the Krell Class A  stereo amp which I bought in 1990.  Thankfully its still kicking up to now powering my Apogee electrostatics. 

imThorek 
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