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Power Amp Suggestions?

B

blackthorne

New Member
I was looking for a new power amp in the 100-125 watt RMS range and was looking to spend $400 or less, any suggestions? I looked at the onkyo M-282, which looks pretty good, but i was hoping for a touch more power (although it probably would be ok). Has anyone used this power amp before? I am going to use it with a phase linear 2000 preamp, and Klipsch RF-62 Floorstanding speakers (500W max, 125 watts continous). I like tight but powerful bass. I dont listen to classical or jazz, metal and rock mostly. My favorite right now is Porcupine Tree, they produce excellent sounding, expertly recorded and mixed music.

Thanks
 
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By new, do you mean new new? I don't recognize that Onkyo model. If you want something truly non-vintage, I would advise rethinking ... do you want to give up the true bass power and effortlessness the excellent vintage amps can provide?
If you are looking for vintage, and like Onkyo, the M502 and M504 amps are the ones to search for. Anything with "Integra" also tends to be prety good.
 
I really like the David Hafler models- if half lucky you can get a DH 500 (mosfet 250 wrc) for $400 or the DH 220 is a great smaller amp as well.
Good luck searching-
DC
 
Carver m-400?

What do you think about the Carver m-400 power amp? There is one for sale nearby for $200. Specs: Power output: 201 watts/channel into 8 ohms, THD: 20Hz-20KHz with no more than .05% THD;Signal to Noise Ratio: >100 dB, IHF A weighting
IM distortion: 0.1% SMPTE.
 
The Adcom GFA-545 II is a fine power amp and you could afford two within your price range with savvy shopping.

Regards,

Ken
 
i agree w/ the ADCOM as well. i have a GF-555, and it has performed flawless through the years and w/ many speakers. i spent more on others, but i feel that the adcom has given me the MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK.

regards, j garcia
 
I would suggest the Yamaha M or MX amps as well, can't go wrong with their sound and build quality. The MX-630/830 or 1000 as well as MX-1 are very good deals on eBay and so is the M-70/80 series.
 
Mitsubishi DA-A15DC

Rex Everything,

did you get your Mitsubishi DA-A15DC working correctly? I saw you had a post about it in a forum last year. What do you think of this amp?
 
The Carver amps I've had -- both Phase Linear and Carver -- just didn't do it for me, perhaps because I don't play music very loud. On the other hand, the Adcoms and some of the Mitsubishis I have heard were really nice. I particularly was impressed by a Mistubishi DA 30, which is about 100 wpc. Your tastes sound different, but before plunking down your dough, I'd try to listen to a variety of amps, not overlooking tubes. I found a Dyna Stereo 70 gave me better bass and dynamics than a big 250 wpc Parasound -- obviously the 25-35 wpc Dyna couldn't go as loud, but it went as loud as I wanted, and with power to spare, and because of its warmth, I didn't need the volume to make it sound right. And this was with Dahlquist DQ 10s, which are reputed to demand lots of power (though I had done the Van Alstine mods on the Dyna so it had a bit tighter low end etc.)
What pleases me might leave you unsatisfied, but speakers are not simply resistive loads, so simple RMS ratings don't always tell all about how loud you can actually get. Hence the suggestion to listen before buying.
 
yamaha mx-35

Does this amp run, or can it run, as a class A amplifier? I downloaded a copy of the manual from the yamaha website and i didnt see it anywhere. Anybody know?
 
Also, what difference does it make what amplifier class it is? Which one sounds the best? I only need 10Watts per channel, but i want something that sounds GREAT.
 
Nakamichi PA-5

No affiliation

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1190834484


Specs are as follows: Nakamichi PA-5 Stasis amplifier.

Continuous Average Power Output: 100wpc into 8ohms

Continuous Average Power Output: 160wpc into 4 ohms

Dynamic Power: 150wpc into 8ohms

Dynamic Power: 270wpc into 4 ohms

Dynamic Headroom: 1.7db into 8ohms

Signal to noise ratio: Better than 120db

Output current capability 12 amps continuous, 35 amps peak per channel...

Output Compliment: 10 transistors per channel.....

Power Consumption: 500 watts max

Approximate weight: 35lbs

Power Supply: 450 VA toroidial transformer
 
I too would recommend Adcom, just about the best bang for the buck of the "common" amplifiers out there. Ultra-reliable and easy to work on, too. A close second would be something from Denon; say like a POA 1500/2200/2400(A)/2800. The 1500 has super sexy meters. Bonus!
 
What, No Harman Kardon? I would second the Denon. I know somebody that has an R2000 Integrated. Nice stuff.
 
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