Acurus vs Other

[Frequency295]

Hello all, long time reader first time poster. I'm new to the audio world outside of just tinkering on my own. I have been blessed with nice people giving me nice things and I have purchased a few used items myself along the way. Feel free to skip to 4th paragraph if you don't need background...

My current setup consists of the following Thorens TD124 mkii, Aragon 47k Phono Preamp, Philips ah-380 Power Amp, IMF TLS 50 mkii. Also in the same room but separated I have a NAD 7240PE(dead), Sony DVP-NC650v CD/SACD Player, HifiBerry DAC+, Q Acoustics 3030i, Yamaha YST-SW315 Subwoofer.

I'm looking to upgrade my system and try something new. Also my NAD just melted down, literally a ceramic capacitor vaporized itself and melted the large 6800uf 80v electrolytic capacitors. Looking for replacements but thought maybe it was time for something different.

I found an Acurus A250 and RL-11 Pre in good visual condition for around $700. The A250 looks like a tank and I hear the Acurus gear is pretty good. I dig that the Pre Amp has a remote! My worry is I'm looking at 28ish year old gear I haven't personally heard and would love to not have the thing meltdown on me shortly into getting it. Also my wife won't be down with me buying it and spending a few hundred more to get it refurbished. Is there something new(er) on the market that would compare in quality for around the same cost? Or do you think the Acurus will likely be good to run a few more years and I should proceed this path?

I was also looking at Emotiva gear as I've seen some good reviews on those as well. I was looking at the BasX series. Maybe a TA-100 Pre and an A-300 Power. Downside is they are not in stock new anywhere so would still be buying used. Thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,
Frequency

 

[ehoove]

I have had great success with the Acurus A200 amps over the years having owned 3 and still run one in my vintage rig with a Yamaha C70 Preamp. I prefer the A200 build quality over the A250. FWIW I replaced the two A200 amps with Aragon 4004 MkII.
Regards,
Jim

 

[Lou G]

I am a big fan of the Acurus A200. I currently have two of them in different systems. They are sweet sounding amps and built like a tank. The A200 punches way above its price point. They are a newer model than the A250 and I prefer the A200 over the A250.

 

[dosmalo]

I had a really nice Acurus RL-11 pre for a good while and enjoyed it a lot then sold it.
Good sounding preamps with remote have not been easy for me to find and I should have kept it.
I vote 'yes.'

 

[Frequency295]

Thanks Jim and Lou! Two votes for the A200, and its newer than the A250. I'll have to do some searching... I found one for about $500 does that sound about right?

Any thoughts on the preamp? Ever tested an Acurus RL-11? (Edit: Thanks dosmalo)
I'll look into the Yamaha C70.

Thanks!

 

[hjames]

I have the Acurus RL-11 in my main system. Sound is great! Only minor bug - occasionally if I lower volume it will misunderstand and go to Mute or Standby,
neither of which is a big Whoop to correct. (Might be the odd angle from my easy chair).
That said, I still prefer a fine sounding pre with remote to one without!
I'm running it with a Carver Power amp which works well.

 

[GordonW]

I am a big fan of the Acurus A200. I currently have two of them in different systems. They are sweet sounding amps and built like a tank. The A200 punches way above its price point. They are a newer model than the A250 and I prefer the A200 over the A250.

IMHO, the A150 and the A200 were the all-around best amps in the Acurus line. The A100 was good- but a bit small for some applications. The A250 was also good- but not as refined or detailed sounding as the A150 and A200.

I think, really, that at this time frame (1980s and early 1990s)- there was difficulty in producing REALLY GOOD very-high-power amplifiers- the A200 being better than the A250, was certainly not an anomaly. I noted the same, in the early NAD amps, PS Audio amps, Adcom amps and others. Smaller amps could be simpler, and more transparent...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[Lou G]

$500 seems high. When I got my second one several years ago, they were going for between $300 to $400. That being said, the asking price for used audio components seems to be increasing lately.

 

[Frequency295]

I was thinking $500 sounded high too.
OK, I think you have all convinced me that the Acurus line is worthy and I'll buy the stack!
I'll keep my eye out for a good deal on an A200 to possibly swap with the A250 down the line.

Thank you All!!

 

[Frequency295]

It arrived and so far it's pretty fantastic!

 

[Schurkey]

I have an Acurus 200X3 (not the newer, A200X3) which, based on age, needs to be recapped. The electrolytics are beyond their expected service life.

In fact, it sounds pretty good; and it's pushing a pair of speakers that were factory-rated at 4-ohm impedance but have been modified with updated parts. This would tend to push the impedance a bit lower. 3-ohm, perhaps.

Excellent bass, even in a suboptimum room.

I think, without evidence, that the 200X3 uses the same circuit boards as the A250; but without the added 1/3 increase to the power supply the extra channel would appreciate. Therefore rated a bit lower than the A250 due to running out of power supply. The A200X3 is rated higher; perhaps they added some more copper and iron.

 

[PhotonDon]

I had a RL-11, bought new. Once the remote failed, I sent it back under warranty, and Acurus said it was due to a lightning strike/surge, and I had to pay. When it happened the second time,I had that circuit bypassed and used it as a non-remote unit. It sounded fine, but the ordeal left me with a sour taste for Mondial

 

[stereofanboy]

I've acquired two A250s within the last four years. I measured the DC offset of each when I first got them and came up with what EchoWars described as damn good numbers. The only amps I've had which measured better were Aragons from the Klipsch era.