|   Best mid price 2 channel amp? | paule
Jul 15, 2001 4:52 PM | | I have a Sony STR-V333ES receiver, to which I want to attach a 2 channel amp to run my front R&L speakers for better classical music listening....I'm looking in the $500 - $700 area, for a 2 channel amp in the 100 to 130 w/c power range. The research I've done as shown me 3 possibilites: Acurus A100, Rotel 981, Nad 2200 or C-270, and Anthem MCA-2. Does anybody have experience with these, and any recommendations? |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | RGA
Jul 15, 2001 6:46 PM | | Tough call: I don't feel that the money you plan to spend will bring the kind of upgrade you're hoping for. One option I would try is to find a used Bryston 3B - they have 20 year transferrable warranties so it does not matter if it's 5 or even 15 years old - since the amps you list likely don't give more than 5 anyway.
The other option, and much cheaper one, is to pick up some Antique Sound Labs Wave 8 monoblocks(this depends on the ohm rating of your speaker but if they are 8ohm and 89db or more sensitive then these little Tube mono-blocks will like classical music) http://www.divertech.com/antiquesl.html |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | paule
Jul 16, 2001 8:18 AM | | >>I don't feel that the money you plan to spend will bring the kind of upgrade you're hoping for<<
Is this because you feel the 333ES is such a good receiver, or that the amps I'm investigating are not that big an improvement over what I already have? The reasoning for persuing the upgrade is that the receiver's amps must support 6 channels, plus a preamp, plus digital effects, plus a tuner, etc, etc, etc....Folks have intimated that the amps I'm investigating do one thing and do it really well, so the resulting soundquality must be better...At least that's the logic....If you dont feel this is valid, as indicated in your post, can you expand a bit on it? Thanks. |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | RGA
Jul 16, 2001 8:52 PM | | I do agree with what those people are saying fully. A power amp that's $500.00 is $500.00 worth of power amp(less profits etc) - a 1k 5 channel receiver has around $100.00 worth of power amp(less profits etc).
I'm not a huge fan of Sony's amplifiers...but I think you should hold off a bit and save 1k to move into something like the Bryston 3B - they have 20 year transferrable warranties and is easily better than the amps you list. http://www.bryston.ca/3bstcov.html
In fact the 3B has gone for $700.00 to $800.00 3-4 years old - still has 16 - 17 years on the warranty.
Unfortunately once you hear the Bryston you may get the audiophile bug and want to upgrade everything - but that's hardly Bryston's fault. |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | PJ
Jul 15, 2001 10:11 PM | | Dont rule out going for a seperate int. amp.
In addition to the monoblocks that RGA mentioned, I suggest you at least look into the nOrh LE amps. $200 each, up to $300 soon.
Haven't heard them, but I would still put them on your list to look further into. |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | RGA
Jul 17, 2001 12:23 PM | | It has come to my attention that the MG SI 15 DT from ASL will be sold for $600.00Canadian. UHF magazine will be reviewing it next issue. |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | Paul L
Jul 18, 2001 3:29 AM | | Are you sure it is $600 Canadian not US$?
Paul Lam
P.L.C.Lam Consulting Inc. |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | RGA
Jul 18, 2001 8:16 AM | | I e-mailed UHF and they told me that the price is being cut to $600.00(hush-hush) Canadian and that they will review it next issue. This seems to make sense since this unit and the AQ 1003 were very closely priced. In issue 58 the AQ1003 was listed at $999.00 Canadian the 15 DT was $600US which is roughly $850.00Canadian(for the extra $150.00 I bet most didn't bother with the 15DT - at $600.00 they will - I am now seriously looking at this one. |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | Paul L
Jul 18, 2001 5:31 PM | | There is a upgraded version of the 15DT, the 15DT-S that has biasing and swith between triode (5W) and tetrode (15W). This is the version that I have. Apparent Divergent is pushing the DT-S (that is what Tash recommended to me, he likes the triode mode a lot) and may (my feeling) drop the old version. The AQ1003 is completely different design. I don't believe it is the competitor of the DT15 that drive down the DT15. Just an alternative.
Paul Lam
P.L.C.Lam Consulsting Inc |
| Why do you want the amp? | dmb_fan
Jul 16, 2001 8:37 AM | | Does the Sony have trouble driving your main speakers? Are they low impedence or are they power hungry or both? Are you hearing distortion at your preferred listening levels? Is the receiver getting frighteningly hot? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then perhaps a separate power amp (new--Rotel or Acurus; used--Bryston, Aragon, Classe) would be a significant upgrade.
But if you are simply hoping for overall sound improvement, I think you'll find more success with an integrated amp, as PJ suggested. Some standby brands to investigate in your price range are NAD, Rotel, Acurus, Marantz, Adcom.
Happy hunting,
Adam |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | Matt Johns
Jul 16, 2001 9:01 AM | | I would also add the Roksan Kandy KA-1 to that short list. There was a review in a recent british mag and they raved about it. Also, go to the thread below and see what some people said about the Kandy. That amp can be had for less than 700 on various audio websites. |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | Chuck G
Jul 17, 2001 6:25 AM | | Why not consider the Sony TA-N9000es amp? YOu can find it on close out in your price range. This amp would give you a lot of flexibility. This is a 5 channel amp you could set up in the BTL mode which is basically combining 2 channels each for 200 wpc for your front left and right speakers plus you would have a 5th unused channel you could use for the center. This would blow away the internal amps in your receiver PLUS this amp has a great EXTRA 2 channel bypass input that would allow you to connect a seperate 2 channel preamp for music.
Check out the link.
http://pub7.ezboard.com/faussiedvdandhtforumsonytae9000esinformationforum |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | Ed Frias
Jul 17, 2001 7:16 AM | | Paul,
I would add an ATI AT-1502 amp to your list (see reviews)! I have sold several to guys just like you who are taking their first step to separates. It WILL make a noticeable difference compared to the internal amps built in your receiver! As you graduate, you can buy other separates later and still use your amp in the system. New life will come to your music - guarantied!
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | paule
Jul 17, 2001 7:51 AM | | I've just been reading about the Audiosource Amp3...Granted, at $349 from JandR, its in a different price point than the $500 - $700 of the others, yet, from the 30 some odd reviews here on Audioreview, its every bit as good if not better...Some experienced folks have said it sounds as good as $2000 amps they have heard...Components seem to be top notch...Hometheater gave it a rave....Is it possible that for $350, we have a diamond in the rough here, or, is it too good to be true...But then, what about all the excellent reviews?? Maybe I need to try this one... |
| re: Best mid price 2 channel amp? | Ed Frias
Jul 17, 2001 1:39 PM | | For $350 it is a decent amp. But if you want to compare it to an ATI, it ain't even in the same ballpark! You put a heavy load on the Audiosource and it will go poopoo when the ATI is just beginning to show what it can do! Remember, sometimes you get what you pay for and in rare cases, more than you expect ....... Go ATI and you won't have to graduate! ( :
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers |
| Check out E-bay for a used Bryston Amp | curt222
Jul 18, 2001 8:55 AM | | I have seen Bryston amps for sale on e-bay within your price range. You could probably pick up a 3B for $400-500 and a 4B for $600-750. This is probably a better investment for you then the amps you mentioned. Particularly since Bryston amps come with a 20 year transferable warranty. |
| Check out E-bay for a used Bryston Amp | JoshK
Jul 18, 2001 10:16 AM | | I agree Bryston are great amps, however, they have a slight coloration that you either like or don't like. I owned a Sony STR-DB830 reciever and decided on upgrading my entire system and started with an ATI 1505 amp. The amp alone made a very noticeable difference! Especially in my soundstage. What I like about the ATI is it is completely neutral, adds nothing, takes nothing away. The amps that the original poster suggested are all great amps I am sure but I think you will get more bang for the buck with the ATI. It is a very flexible amp, runs moderately cool, brideable, stable and low impedance. Basically you can always use it for something else later if you move to other applications. I have seen them brand new for $600 (ATI 1502). I have to agree with Ed on this one. |
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