• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Are any of these good power amps?

S

steelglam

Super Member
Hello,

I posted here a while back about a pair of Polk RTA12a speakers and an ADS Atelier A2 amp that I was checking out and that I eventually purchased. A few folks on here warned that I may need to add more power at some point to drive the Polks, and I have come to the conclusion that is correct. I like the ADS a lot, but at 80 WPC, the Polk speakers can sound like they are struggling, especially in the low end at higher volumes. I brought the speakers to a local hi-fi store to have them checked out and make sure that nothing was wrong with them, and they sounded perfect and smooth when hooked up to the 200 WPC amp that the hi-fi store had.

As I said earlier, I like the ADS A2 amp, especially for its capabilities, but since it has pre-outs, I'm thinking of using it as a preamp and adding a power amp in order to drive the speakers more. Here is what I am looking for in a power amp: about 200 WPC (which Polk itself and a few posters on this forum suggested), a good match with the Polk speakers and the ADS used as a preamp, something that will bring out the low end in the speakers, and preferably something at or less than $250 (so used gear is fine by me). With that in mind, I found the following power amps in my area (on craigslist and at a used music store). Would any of these fit the criteria that I noted above, be a good value at the stated price, and be a recommendable power amp?

1. Crown DC300A ($125)

2. Yamaha M-45 ($100)

3. Adcom GFA-555 ($300) [NOTE: This is really more than I want to pay, but I thought I'd add it in here anyways in case the amp is really exceptional and in case it's a really good deal.]

Thanks!
 
Register to hide this ad
They're all good. The Crown is a commercial amp with a fan, it's bulletproof and high power and a VERY good deal for $125. It will happily run 24/7 at full output power for years. The Yamaha is a step down from pro-commercial but is still a helluva deal at $100. I'd buy that one if I were you. The Adcom is a very good consumer-grade amp but, in my opinion, no better than the Yamaha for 3x the price.

I'm not a big fan of amps with fans in my livingroom, at low volume you CAN hear it and it WILL annoy you over time. I also happen to be a Yamaha fan.

Dave
 
If on a budget go with Yamaha. High current amps capable of driving virtually any load.
And they sound great (IMHO at least)! If you were local here in NE I would have a bargain for you.
 
I use a Yamaha P2100 power amp with some JBL's. It gets the job done, with power to spare. The P2100's are around, and can be snagged for $150 or so.
 
For a great sounding, well built amp on a budget, check out the Carver Magnetic Field series amps.
 
The crown has no fan huge heat sinks though. I had one bullet proof and DC power 160watts into 8ohms it drove the 70s and a very fine power amp.....with great bass.
 
The DC-300a at 125 is a great price, easy to resell when you change. The large heat sinks for that amp showed up on a few units after 1974 rule from the FTC. I haven't seen many with these additional heat sinks.

I used one with stacked advents, bose 901s and others and it never missed a beat. bullet proof.
 
I've always been a big fan of Crown/Techron stuff. Gerald Stanley is one of the great amplifier designers of all time (IMO). Having said that, the DC-300 was charged (perhaps unfairly) as being a bad sounding amp. In fact Matti Ottala (Electrocompaniet, Harman Kardon) used the DC-300 as an example to show that large amounts of negative feedback would generate TIM and not sound good. So, there's a little history with that one, but I don't know how it really pans out.

I've never owned a DC-300. I've worked on plenty, but with bench speakers, you're not going to do any critical listening. I had a PSA-2 which I thought was a great sounding amp.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. Sounds like most folks are saying the Crown and the Yamaha are both good options, and both at good prices. To reply to a few specific comments:

1. jdandy: The only problem is that he P2100 is rated at 140 wpc, whereas the M-45 is rated at 180 wpc. I'm looking for something at or close to 200 wpc.

2. dr*audio: Are there any specific models of the Carver Magnetic Field amps that you would suggest?
 
steelglam said:
Hmmm, that's odd. I found the manual online, and it says 180 wpc into 4 ohms (the Polks are 4 ohms). I guess the manual is incorrect?
Click to expand...

No, you and the manual are correct. I just think of amplifier power in terms of an 8ohm load. I don't think you would regret the Yamaha. It's a really nice sounding and performing amp.
 
Get thee the Crown (if in nice shape). Parts and factory service and support are still available from Crown. It's reliable and conservatively engineered. It'll drive tough speakers day in and day out. It's also built in Indiana and lives up to it's founder's ideals. Meaning it's Missionary Reliable. It also sounds quite excellent.
 
I notice that only one person in the thread recommended the Adcom. I'm curious to hear why folks have not recommended that one. It's price tag is a little out of my budget, but I have seen them on craigslist for $225-$250 before, so if the Adcom is much better than the Crown or Yamaha, I could wait until an Adcom with a cheaper price tag becomes available.
 
To my ears Adcom's are kind of grainy sounding. Go scoop either (or both) the Yamaha and Crown, you can't go wrong with them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom