2. amps-preamps
  3. 1137285459

Starting Over--Amp First

Starting my audio system over and I'd like some advise from you guys about amps. I.d like to buy an amp that will be OK for a future sort of lower High end system. Stuff like NAD, Rotel, Adcom, etc, not Levinsen, Pass, Krell. That said, I have a chance to get a Krell KSA-100 (100 watts/per pure class A) or a Conrad Johnson Motif (200 watts/channel, Or a McIntosh MC-2125 (120 watts/channel) All of these at about $1,200.00 or should I go with newer and more powerful: Adcom 5800 (250 watts/channel-all MOS-FET-Nelson Pass design) Older NAD 2700 Monitor series @ 150 watts /Channel--These others are significantly less expensive but are they good enough for a potentially "High End" TYPE of system.ALSO-I'M sticking with solid state--Been down the tube road with my guitar amps and don't want to repeat it----(Tubes DO sound "Sweeter" IMHO.

Thanks,

Steve
say811
gregadd
574 posts
 
amp speaker cables and speaker should be selected simultaneously. They should be thought of as a system.IMO
mikesinger
572 posts
 
your on the right line about buying "better used gear' than "new gear" at the same price.

would suggest suggest considering muse, pass, and classe (i have a older pair of muse mono's and they are not outclassed by my classe cam 350's)

going with a tube preamp gives the listener about 80% of the tube sound with a lot less tube hassle (imho..)
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Perhaps a bit off topic, but, perhaps most importantly I agree with myself (HA!), S23chang and Bigkidz with minor changes: budget,room, speakers, amp, pre, source(s), speaker cable, ic, rack, power. Sorry if I'm being petty.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Mike IMHO (given your percentage measurement analysis)80% leaves a hellava lot of room for improvement for these ears. 20% of a million dollars is still, no matter how you look at it $200k. That is a lot of money to throw away. I'm guilty of these ridiculous percentage quotes myself. Don't know where I get them, but what I'm trying to say, IMHO, 80% of-- doesn't cut it for me...
mohinder's avatar
mohinder
7 posts
 
I would consider these:
Pass Aleph 3 (used)
Aragon 4004 (used)
Plinius SA-50, SA-100 (used)
Odyssey Stratos (new)
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