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Opinion on Music Hall A50.2 integrated amp

I am thinking about a Music Hall A50.2 integrated amp. The speakers could be infinity CS3009s, VS VR 2s or Vandersteen 2Ces. How would this amp compare to to the classic amops of the 80s from Denon, HK, Rotel, NAD and so on. I should point out I have tried many under $1200 integrated amps made in the 10 years and find most of them to be very clean but thin/lean, over detailed, and not very musical. This is common complaint one hears. From the standpoint of sounding like music the Exposure 2010s was wonderful but no headphone jack or phono stage built in. The NAD c325/ 326 Bee were impressive even more then there bigger brothers I tried but they feel so...
I know the Music Hall is well built. What does it sound like? thanks
128x128geph0007
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
Just a thought...Why a whole new integrated? You mentioned that the Exposure you tried sounded wonderful but lacked a headphone jack and phono stage. These things can be easily added.

To me, a good amp should be quiet and properly drive your speakers to the level you want to listen to them at with any strain. These two primary functions often make for great sounding amp; not the features like a phono stage. You can add a real good one, better than what's in most integrateds, for a lot less then replacing the whole amp.
samac's avatar
samac
499 posts
 
Geph0007, I don't know anything about the Yamaha pieces but they look very impressive. Thanks for the 325BEE/2010s comparison. Like you I found the 325 to be an improvement over the 320.

Paraneer has a very good point too about adding a good phono stage and headphone amp to the Exposure but then you would also have the extra cost of quality interconnects and multiple boxes. Good luck in your search. Keep us posted. If you end up getting them I would like to hear what you think of the Yamaha pieces.
darkstar1
180 posts
 
If I were you I would buy the internal exposure phono card. Then spring for headphone amp when funds come available. Exposure really does punch above its price in several ways. You can find amps that best it in some things but to me it's different not out right better.

You will have to spend a lot more to beat the exposure on all fronts. The older exposure line can get you even more for your money. If you into exposure sound go with it.
darkstar1
180 posts
 
If I were you I would buy the internal exposure phono card. Then spring for headphone amp when funds come available. Exposure really does punch above its price in several ways. You can find amps that best it in some things but to me it's different not out right better.

You will have to spend a lot more to beat the exposure on all fronts. The older exposure line can get you even more for your money. If you into exposure sound go with it.
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