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At what price do amps start to sound

I can wax rather eloquently about speakers, but amplifiers are something that I know very little about. Actually it's probably a lot less than a little. So please tell me, at what price (generally speaking - of course there are alway exceptions) does one start finding amplifiers that offer decent sound and begin to hint at what the big boys can do? Now as a camparison, I can say that for around $700 new, you can begin finding audiophile-like mini-monitors (if you do your homework) that image well and convey a wonderful sense of space and excellent timbral qualities on instruments and voice. And if you're willing to spend somewheres between 3-4K new, you can have yourself a very satisfying listening experience with great sound quality. Of course if you can spend 10, 20, 50, or 100K you can get the best of the best.

So what is a comparable price point with power amplifiers? At what price (again generally speaking - and if I do my homework) can I begin to hear good imaging, depth and timbre?
studioray
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
This is so personal preference it's not funny. I'll throw out the audio refinement complete. 1000 retail and can be had for less than 450 on the used market...

Completely owner and system dependent that I don't think you can make that kind of claim.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
The rule of thumb? There aint no rule of thumb. Very person, as S7Horton said. Me? I've never heard a $500 amp that I could live with. Make that a $1k. Oops, I could live with a YBA integre. Have to buy used, though to get in at about $1k. You can go crazy with this thread. It all depends upon your tympanics....
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
I'm currently listening to a Rotel RB-960 Dual mono 60w amp (two transformers and 4o,ooo storage capacitance) that sounds VERY respectable. An absolute audio steal. Used around $200-280. Sounds "right" to my ears. Very recently owned two very fine amps which retailed for 1K and 2.5k and honestly I'm really impressed by this Rotel amp. Does not have the deep bass of th 250w per ch. amp, but, it does some things better. I've heard the Rotel RB-990 is one heck of an amp as well. These can be found under $500 used. Happy Holidays, Bill.
loonytunz's avatar
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loonytunz
164 posts
 
What Warren said... 'There ain't no rule of thumb.'

You want 'imaging, depth and timbre?' Get a $39 Sonic Impact class T amp and go nuts. It may not impress your friends, but it will sound amazing paired with an efficient transducer. Or how about a nice pair of Wavac SH-833s @ $350,000? I haven't heard these, but for that money, I would guess they probably sound pretty good.

One man's trash is another man's treasure. Listen and judge for yourself.
brauser
525 posts
 
A great little amp that doesn't get too much notice is the Audio Research D200. Find them used for under a $1,000.00 and smile all the way to the bank. Rotel products are also a terrific value.
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