Help choosing my next amplifier

[damacman]

That sounds like a pretty fair price on an amplifier that has quite a following. Always a good idea to have such an amp gone through before pressing it into service - this cannot be understated.

There are a great number of exceptional amplifiers out there. After owning primarily McIntosh amplifiers since '92, I began the quest to seek out some of the other well regarded examples. Only the Bryston 3B-ST and Sansui BA-3000 impressed me. I still have both. And a LOT of reference amps came and went, the most surprising being a completely reworked Krell KSA-300S. No bueno. I know what I like and designer influence on the sound isn't it. I'm currently listening to a 60yo McIntosh MC225 as I type this. And it leaves nothing to want . . . so have fun and do report back on the Hafler.

 

[plugto]

Accuphase is another fine amp.

 

[RVT1K]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the Hafler P500.

I paid $150 USD for it so I think it was a good buy. I kind of tested it, as it powered on, the fan ran quietly, and I heard the relay click on. I didn't get a chance to hook it up to a source or speakers so hopefully it will be alright. Either way, I am going to have it re-capped and serviced by my local tech. before I connect it to play anything. After all it is probably 40 years young.

As far as a Sony, I'm not really enthusiastic about them. I don't think they are in the same class as the Nak, Bryston, or McIntosh. They might sound slightly better than the Hafler, but that is an subjective opinion. Also, I'm pretty sure I won't find the Sony amp for $150 USD.

So my next step is to continue watching/hunting for a good used Nak, Bryston, McIntosh or maybe a Threshold, Pass Labs or Accuphase, amp that will replace my Hafler and other vintage mid-fi amps.

That sounds like a great deal.

To me that helps make the decision to upgrade it that much easier.

 

[Dony]

That sounds like a great deal.

To me that helps make the decision to upgrade it that much easier.

Well, based on my other thread I think I'm going to have the Hafler serviced and re-capped first and then listen to it in it's original configuration connected to my Magnepan LRS.

The full upgrade with the QUA-CO boards maybe down the road, but the Hafler might get sold after the re-cap and service along with some of my vintage NAD amps to fund a purchase of a higher end Nak, McIntosh, Bryston, Threshold, Pass labs, Accuphase, Krell etc.

I like the ability to hear many of the various options in the vintage audio arena, and it also keeps the budget down compared to new components which is nice.

 

[Blue Shadow]

I think Musical Concepts will offer higher performance, ultimately, than Qua-Co. But the cost is Krell, Mark Levinson, McCormack, Pass Labs and Bryston in price and the only parts reused is the chassis…at least that is what reading about their upgrades to the DH-200/220 read like with performance in the upper level, too.

I like the idea of fresh stock, enjoy, Qua-Co, enjoy, big name brand to compare and decide later on.

 

[Bob in WI]

McIntosh just recently sold out to Bose. Bryston is in many professional studios. I don't care for Bose.

So McI = Bose now?

I'm not a big Mac fan but still...................

 

[twiiii]

For the smoothest sound the 2105. Bryston for middle of the road between the extreme of the Nakamichi and the MAC. No matter which you choose how ever your happiness is going to be based on how your speakers interface with the amp. None of us can make that final decision for you. I owned 2100's when new. same as a 2105 but with out meters. I use more modern Mac amps now, A current sound for todays critical listeners and yet still a smoother non fatiguing sound that a lot of other SS amps don't have today.