The Best Amp for the Price of Dirt

Hi Fi world magazine reviewed these amps recently.They concluded they are excellent value PA type amps but did not measure or sound up to dedicated Hi Fi standards.

If you want cheap amps that do sound fantastic you probably can't beat the Sonic Impacts or kit chip amps.

Jtgofish

I agree that the Sonic Impact sounds pretty good but I am packing up my second "audiophile" version amp to return to Parts Express.

I have been trying to use a cheap as dirt amp for my PC setup with Epos ELS3s.

The first was DOA, and the second has loud static in the left channel any time you adjust the volume.

Otherwise, it sounds pretty good, but it is also underpowered and clips quickly.

Therefore, I am wondering if the Behringer amp would sound much better.

I have never had a problem using high powered amps, even with mini monitors.

The other thought was a chinese clone integrated tube amp but it seems like those are more like $700 bucks, rather than $199.

I would like a cheap as dirt amp for each of my 3 computers, so I hope this thread continues.

Jtofish : Have you reviewed the article on The Audio Critic web Site. Peter A. thinks they are a great buy. As for being PA amps well I think studio /stage amp is closer to the facts.

To Seth: The sound to me could be characterized as silky mids , no congestion during complicated musical passages ,lots of detail an deep bass. No solid-state burnout to my ears. Perhaps they are a tad "dry" but listen to the 500's in a reference system changing them out for anything between 5-10K US. Of course they are voiced differently but not that different to justify the expense. Buy them , save as much money as possible buying the best speakers your money can buy. If possible have a dealer hook up the 500s so you can hear them in real time before buying those speakers.

Seth,do you know what's really scary in 2 channel? Buy a Oppo HD 970 via the internet hook that unit straight into two 500's, the 500's into your choice of speakers. Perhaps one of the best buys in audio today for less than $700 w/o speakers.

Readers : From the numbers in a few days(1000+) it seens that some us are searching for true audio bargins. So why not expand the "blog" to The Best Audio for the price of dirt? My intent that we advise of audio bargins , some noted in the audio print community and on the internet, with a flow of contributions by threaders like you. Any objections ?

How about the Norh Amp 3 165 watt monoblock that look very well made for $300 each. or the Belles soloist amp and pre amp