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Ugh... 7-900$ Amplifier choices

G

grapple

New Member
Im on the verge of springing for an amplifier to drive my Kappa 8's. Currently I have them running from a Carver M1.0t and it does a decent job but these Kappas are very hungry.
I am looking at an older Bryston 4b, an Aragon 4004, an Adcom 5802, a pair of B&K M200 monos, a pair of Adcom 565 monos, or I see another Carver M1.0t with an mk2 opt. 2 upgrade I hear highly of. All these run used from 7-850$. I have been waiting around for a Sunfire 300x2 but they are hard to find.
These original Kappa 8's are very power hungry with impedance dips that will tax an amplifier. I was also considering using a Bi-amp configuration using my existing adcom gfa-555 or my carver m1.0t.
Thoughts would be very much appreciated as I have been struggling to make up my mind and pull the trigger and make the buy. :scratch2:
 
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What a coincidence! I just got a pair of Kappa 8s (I love vintage Infinity speakers) and I tested them out using Adcom 565 monoblocks and they didn't even get warm. No problem at all. I also thought that they sounded very good but I honestly don't have a lot to compare them to. I'm guessing I'll probably keep the 565s for a really long time and relegate them to bass driver duty but I'd like to upgrade from my Adcom 555II which I use for mid-high frequencies. There are a ton of amps in that price point. Tough decision to make. If you pick up a pair of 565s MAKE SURE THE INPUT BOARDS HAVE BEEN RECAPPED. Once that is done they're great!
 
I'd also recommend the Hafler 9500 Transnova. Super powerful. Hafler also made the similar 9505. I've had one since the mid 1990s. It's powered everything I've thrown at it.
 
Sitting in my "backup" pile I have a beastly pro audio pm1.5 from carver. Should drive a pair of those with careless ease if you like Carver gear.
 
Glen B said:
Emotiva XPA-2, 300W x 2 - $799.00

http://emotiva.com/xpa2.shtm

If you can raise you budget a bit - Classe CA-200, $1,275. In the Stereophile Magazine 1997 bench test of this amp, it delivered a peak output of 1,570 watts per channel into a 1 ohm load.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/450652
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Emotiva eh? I really like the looks of that amplifier and its brand new and shipped for 800$. Im looking at 100$ shipping for anything else I would buy used. I have looked at that Classe several times but I just dont think I can do that as that would put me out of a preamp upgrade. That Emotiva monblock UPA-1 looks like something as well. 700$ shipped!
 
Also consider an older Yamaha pro amp, such as the PC2002m, etc. They are tough as nails, double as arc welders (almost) and sound fantastic. There is a HUGE following for them here.
 
AKer rroobbcc uses an Adcom GFA-5802 with his Kappa 9's and speaks very highly of the combination. At 300 wpc with gobs of current on tap, it would handle the K8's with no problem.
 
I have and use a Rotel RB-1080. it is 200w per and sounds really good as most of the units you have already got listed.

You should enjoy this Upgrade time!!:D

BTW I have Eyed that Emotiva gear as well. I think it looks very cool if nothing else!:yes:
 
PSE studio V monoblocks. Good luck finding a pair, but they are phenomenal and usually fly below your price point. Rare.
 
Ya I know I should enjoy this upgrade time but so many choices to make.

I like the looks of that emotiva gear as well. The other day I was almost ready to spring for the pair of emotiva upa-1 mono's for 700$ shipped but was doubting they would hold up under the difficult kappa 8 loads. That xpa-2 looks sturdy but a month wait? :(

An adcom 5802 for 825$ on audiogon right now prolly 100 to ship seems spendy.

Im leaning towards the emotiva but dont trust the limited amount of reviews from "experts" that is out there.
 
well that 5802 would do very well and is a great amp. Good price too. I had one but have a great big mac now. I do however still use my GFP-750 as my daily pre!!:yes:
 
Bryston for me. They are extremely well built. Conservatively designed, and well supported. They are in my book equal to McIntosh in build quality and durability. And drive tough speaker loads well. Crown made several amps also which might be useful choices.
 
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