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Ultimate Amplifier for the next 20 Years

Hello all!
Well, you I am again on the amplifier merry-go-round after my last digital amp(noname mentioned!) let me down in the dumps after a comparison with a Halo A21 amp. I had a keen ear friend who reviews for Stereo Times and he felt the same. Musical instruments more real sounding with better decay. Man was I surprised after thinking that the digital amp was my last! BTW, the most important part, my speakers are a pair of Apogee Studio Grands in beautiful piano black!! Now the digital amp is on subwoofers in which it has ALOT of punch! The perfect(but not cheap) subwoofer amp! High damping factor, runs cool, dual posts to run four(4) subs if you choose to and never runs out of juice!!

Anyway, I want to keep it under $5000 used or new. Prefer 2 channel amp and maybe monoblocks. Amp can't run too hot(very important)! My pre/pro is a Lexicon MC12B.
Here are my amps that I'm considering in order:

Classe CA2200- Runs class A up to 60 watts! Right now I have a dealer making me a killer offer. Probably the one I'm going to buy...

McCormack DNA500- My big second choose!

Theta Dreadnaught II- Since I have a 8.4 sound system but don't need alot of power for the other speakers, this would be the perfect multichannel amp for me(remember the .4 is powered by my digital amp). One BIG problem, it runs tooo freakin’ hot!

NuForce 9.2- Hearing great things.

Krell FBC300Cx- Jason Bloom ran only krell amps with Apogees.

Please add your thoughts on any comparison on these amps or a new one that you think are superior. I want this to be my last amp purchase for a long time! Right.... ; )

THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP ON THIS MATTER!!!
Best,
Paul
128x128ptheo
ptheo's avatar
ptheo OP
72 posts
 
Mattkimb96- The Ayre V-1XE looks like a great amp. But I think the McCormackDNA500/Krell300Cx would be better for that amount of cash($9000).

Loudandclear- Interesting design. Does's anybody out there have any of there amps?! The Z500s amp has a BIG 2,000 VA, but it doesn't double in to 4ohms(250W-8, 400W-4). Not good.

Still working on a deal for the Classe CAM200's($2200). Different seller than the prior ad. This seller includes a 4 year warranty. If I can get my hands on a used CA2200 for $2500, I go for that instead.

Maybe Santa will surprise me..... ; )
mr_bill
349 posts
 
I'd get the Delta CA 2200 amp long before the CAM 200. I owned the Delta 2200 and I'm still wondering why I sold it. Although I stepped up to the Rowland M500, the Classe amp was excellent!
I don't think you can go wrong with the 200 especially if you want a high powered musicl amp.
mantis007's avatar
mantis007
113 posts
 
I agree with Mdconnelly about the Butler 2250. I'm using 2 in mono with great results. Very reveling and musical IMO - they also run cool - never hot to the touch. Very powerful at 800 wpc @ 8 ohms in mono. I drive my VR4-JR's with them. Highly recommended!
mehdi
28 posts
 

VIOLA AUDIO LABS:
1) Spirito modular Preamp / Bravo Amps.
2) Cadenza Preamp / Symphony Amps.
MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC...
null1
76 posts
 
Go and get a Pass Labs X-350 amp, tons of power, the Best service department. Nelson Pass stands behind his products,they never break, and if they do he will fix it and wont rip you off. Its a keeper.
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