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Handling Heavy Amps

There are several amps I’m interested in possibly purchasing but I’m dissuaded because of their weight. I’ve had lower back issues so I need to be careful. I live alone. Even if my wife was still alive she would not have been able to help much. Also Children live far. I see that many of you have these 60-100 pound behemoths and I wonder how do you manage. If I buy from my dealer he’ll load it in my SUV. However when I get home it will be difficult to get it out and onto the garage floor where I can place it on my handcart. Then when I get it next to my rack I need to maneuver it out of the box and up onto the rack. I guess I would need to see if my dealer would deliver it and place it on the rack. Probably for a fee. So that may work. But then if I need to paint, move furniture, resell the unit whatever I would need help. I think I can handle up to 40lbs. So how do you handle these amps? Is it a concern for you?  I’m spoiled by my Benchmark 12 lb AHB2. It’s also the reason I’ve been investigating Class D amps. 

jfrmusic
vthokie83
854 posts
 

I bought mine from Audion Archon, and Mike Kay could give you some thoughts as well on the CODA

cundare2
268 posts
 

I’m astounded by the volume of postings in this thread. This is one of the most popular Audiogon conversations I’ve seen in a long time.

But it’s depressing to discover that so many colleagues have the same (age-related?) back problems that I do.

I hate to stereo-type, but imaybe audiophilia really is an old man’s game.

 

 

jfrmusic OP
266 posts
 

Thanks again guys. Very informative responses. At the moment I've got the CODA S5.5 and the SimAudio 330A or 400m Mono blocks at the top of my list. The CODA is 45lbs. The SimAudio units are under 33lbs each. Have no actually experience hearing the CODA but I have heard several YouTube demos of the SimAudio amps. Even though YouTube is not HiRes I did get a sense of their character and it seemed relaxed and laid back with good control, deep bass and a very smooth high end.

I spoke to James at Destination HiFi and he said the S5.5 is a perfect match for my Harbeths and has several customer with that configuration.

I won't make a decision until my new Streamer and DAC arrive and I give the Benchmark AHB2 a shot. But I still feel that no matter how ut sounds I can do better than the Benchmark with the units I'm considering

@fastfreight 

You mentioned that your amp was superior to the Benchmark. Can you share your specific qualitative experiences in this regard. It would be helpful.

@vthokie83 

Please elaborate on your enthusiastic response to the CODA S5.5. What type of magic?

vthokie83
854 posts
 

jfrmusic,

I'm putting together some listening notes from the first few week with it, I'll be posting it for the other thread....but I'll repost it here as well. I highly recommend you check out the other thread started by Terry a couple of weeks ago that I referenced above

jfrmusic OP
266 posts
 

@vthokie83 

Thanks. I am following that other S5.5 thread.

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