2. amps-preamps
  3. 1244256018

What the most musical power amp for under $1K?

I have this Audio Research tube amp that soon will need to be retubed. So, one night I decided, just for fun, to hook up a little NAD 50 watt receiver, that I have in my office system, to drive my Von Schweikert VR4 SE's. Well, I couldn't believe it. The damn thing sounded pretty good. The word that coming to mind while listening was MUSICAL. No, it didn't have near the resolution, or air, or extension on the top as the Audio Research, but it sounded very nice, rich, warm and musical.
So, now I've been looking for something like a used NAD C272. Something to hold me over, until I really decide if I want to spend the bucks to retube, or get something else.
To get to the question, what's your recommendation for an inexpensive, MUSICAL, solid state amp to hold me over until I decide what to do (NAD, Parasound, Quad 909, Cambridge Audio, used Krell, etc). I'd like to find something for under $1K.
In advance, thanks!
louisl
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,579 posts
 
Used NAD 272 or 270 would be good choices

Rotels are pretty good, but not as musical as the NAD in my book

Also:

Emotiva Audio XPA-2 $799
http://emotiva.com/xpa2.shtm

Model 2200 Monoblock Power Amplifier $350 per channel
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html

Anything you can afford used from Naim
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro, around $450-600 per stereo amp(used). Can be switched to bridged monoblocks

BTW, that's a really nice system you've got.
madhf
170 posts
 
Forte Model 3 Have sold on Agon for $400-600. You'd have to spend a lot more to equal its performance.
sit
315 posts
 
Something preowned. Not too much of a gamble here.
mr_hosehead
210 posts
 
You might also want to consider a used Odyssey in that price range. And with one of those, or even some of the other alternatives mentioned above, you might even decide that you're not in "hold over" mode but actually like what you have.
More to discover