Ideas for an amplifier?


Hi Gentlemen,

i was thrilled at receiving a second hand Maraschino Cherry and was looking for another one. A gentleman on eBay had two that were sold for $1,000 pair, less than half price new. Then I found out that the Digital Amplifier Company is essentially defunct with the untimely death of its owner, Mr. Tom O’Brien. RIP

Perhaps people are worried about parts and repair. 
 

I did a lot of reading on amps but I don’t have your experience. There is certainly a lot of hype about class D amps but one also has to watch out for the class D amps that are for low frequency subs only.   I’m not married to the idea of a class D amp and am open to suggestions. 
 

When I was young the Krell amps were amongst the best. Judging from the price it seems that is still the case. I have a McIntosh mc2100 but I just need more juice.  Most hifi stores think the newer amps have less THD than the older ones. 
 

i was reading something about a kind of impedance that needs to be matched with speakers, not the 4 ohm 8 ohm thing. Something about feedback. I didn’t understand it first time reading through it. I think it wax late before bed. 
 

at the end of this I will put the list of equipment I have. Maybe someone can suggest an amp around $1200 to $1500 on the used market?  I, like most men, just came up with that number as what I would like to spend. Once guys pull a number out of their hat it is hard to change it even though there was no logic to coming up with it. 
 

The main reason for reaching out is so that I don’t make a mistake buying an amp that everyone knows to be harsh or a great THD on paper but not smooth. 
 

Ok, here is what I have to play with now, thanks to some earlier suggestions by Dugeon. 
 

Sony HAP Zies 1tb DAC NAS

Speakers:  Vandersteens, Maggie III, Monitor Audio Silver bookshelf, B&W Nautilus SCM-1’s. 
 

PS. The Vandersteens are power hungry. All the others are good. 
sub:  RBH (don’t like it because it can’t handle much power before sounding flop flop from overdriving them)  driven by a Yamaha 2500 in mono mode. 
 

Please only nice positive comments. Thank you. 

128x128geworthomd

I have a McIntosh mc2100 but I just need more juice. 

The McIntosh is a 105 watt per channel amp. If you need more power than that you will need to look at amps that typically cost more than $1000. 

I’ve had good luck driving Vandy Treo CT’s with a Belles Aria integrated, which can be found used for $1200-1500 from time to time.  Only about 60wpc.

Perhaps a refurbished Adcom GFA 555 or 555II? Plenty of grunt. There are a couple of companies I’ve read about that can get these amps back in shape. Between finding a decent amp,and service,might keep you in your budget. Good luck with your search.

Ralph is owner/designer at Atmasphere. He usually is around here. Top tube amps but out of your price range. He does have a class-D in the $5k new, and wod be surprised if anyone is selling theirs so fast.

One company to look into is Audio by Van Alstine. Great comments and reputation within your price range. M225s are getting very good reviews and @markmuse just got a pair (He noted on another thread). I think they are $1.6k new. Their SET 120 is $1k I think.

GaN amps are getting good reviews too. Generally in the $2-3k range (new) or higher, but might get the smaller amps from LSA or Orchard closer to your range.

It might not be a bad idea waiting some. The new GaN amps are probably going to trigger some folks selling their current amps. Hypex just came out with new modules that apparently make their Ncore 400 look like obsolete so some might get rid of those amps. Technologically surpassed doesn't mean they sound bad, though!