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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
louisl OP
183 posts
 
NSgarch,

Thanks for bringing me back to reality. Your probably right, the VT100 MkII is probably heads and shoulders of everything else suggested. I guess the NAD just, as you put it, stimulated me.

How do I know that it needs tubes? Well, the bottom is mushy, way overly ripe, and the mids and top end sound really flat and edgy if I push the amp too hard (and I'm not talking rediculous levels here). I've also lost that magic 'air' that the amp is capable of.

Now, I don't know if you've had any experience with the VT100, MkII, but it's a, excuse my language here, bitch to set up properly. Too many people have advised me to send it to ARC for retubing. Thant's about $700 (with the Winged C's) +, probably $200 for shipping.

Thank's again!
rotarius
431 posts
 
A used Belles 150A is way better than any NAD or Rotel amp. It replaced a Bryston 4BST in my system. If you want warmth and musicality, go with a mosfet amp.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Louis - I'll send you an email. Neil
richards
145 posts
 
One more to consider. I've really enjoyed the Aloia 13.01i amp, which can be found close to your price range (used). It's only rated at 30 watts, but puts out much more and with the hefty inductive power supply can drive most speakers with reasonable impedance.
This amp originally retailed for $4K and was considered a bargain at the time by many (including one reviewer who thought it competed with his Lamm monos).
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,809 posts
 
I have a McCormack DNA 125 and love it, in fact it replaced an Anthem AMP 1 which was a nice sounding 40w tube amp. The DNA 125 is a great amp that you can find used for around $800. FWIW I paid $1600 for mine new and felt it was well worth the money, a mint used one for half that is truely a bargain.
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