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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
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
244 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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cleeds
5,944 posts
 
imthorek
Thankfully its still kicking up to now powering my Apogee electrostatics.
Apogee speakers are ribbons, but not electrostatic.
stevea11757's avatar
stevea11757
130 posts
 
I bought a ML23.5 used and have had it for 20+ years so far. It is now in a second system but sees moderate use still. Running perfectly and recently picked up a full set of caps to overhaul at some point when I can do without it for a bit. It was the basis to moving up to the 3XX series, where I did not have nearly the same luck.
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