Need Advice. Which Power Amplifier Do I Get?

[ct221933]

I have the opportunity to upgrade my current stereo power amplifier which is >20 years old. My choices are limited to those that has a depth of 13.5 inches or less because of the cabinet which the amplifier will go into. The power amp will be driving a pair of Paradigm Prestige 75F. As I do not have a chance to audition them, I need to make a decision based on their specs on paper. So I need your help please. The 2 amps I am considering are Anthem and Benchmark. Specification for all 3 amps, including my current amps are:

Anthem A2
* Power...200 W into 8ohms
* THD+N...0.001% at 1kHz, 0.03% at 20 kHz
*Damping Factor....360 at 1 kHz
*S/N Ratio...120 dB, A weighted
*Input Sensitivity....1.5Vrms
*IMD...0.0005%

Hafler 9303 (Current Amp)
* Power...150 W into 8ohms
* THD+N...0.005% at 1kHz, 0.07% at 20 kHz
*Damping Factor....800 at 1 kHz (is this possible?)
*S/N Ratio...>100dB, A Weighted
*Input Sensitivity....1.22Vrms

Benchmark AHB2
* Power...100 W into 8ohms
* THD+N...< 0.00013% at 1 kHz
*Damping Factor....254 at 1 kHz
*S/N Ratio...132 dB, A weighted
*Input Sensitivity....2Vrms

Should I upgrade to Benchmark or Anthem?

Thanks

 

[2channel lover]

CT...short answer, both are great amps, get the lower priced one.

Trying to read a little deeper into your situation. You have an older power amp...everything sounds okay, you just want to update/upgrade the amp? Or, are you looking to improve on the sound quality you have now?

At the risk is giving you more information than you asked for...the reason I'd buy the lower priced amp is both are really overkill (price wise) to drive the 75Fs, particularly if you're buying them new. If you're getting a deal on a used one...understandable.

You can buy a new Monolith (made by ATI) 2 ch amp that will spec out very similar to these amps for less than half the price of the Benchmark or Anthem and it will sound basically the same. I'm not saying you should buy a Monolith...just throwing that out there.

 

[ct221933]

CT...short answer, both are great amps, get the lower priced one.

Trying to read a little deeper into your situation. You have an older power amp...everything sounds okay, you just want to update/upgrade the amp? Or, are you looking to improve on the sound quality you have now?

At the risk is giving you more information than you asked for...the reason I'd buy the lower priced amp is both are really overkill (price wise) to drive the 75Fs, particularly if you're buying them new. If you're getting a deal on a used one...understandable.

You can buy a new Monolith (made by ATI) 2 ch amp that will spec out very similar to these amps for less than half the price of the Benchmark or Anthem and it will sound basically the same. I'm not saying you should buy a Monolith...just throwing that out there.

Thank you for your response. I just have an old amp (>20 years), it is working fine. Just needed something new and thought it would be cool to have new gear . Also, I am thinking of moving the older amp to setup a second 2-channel rig at my home office. Since I am getting a new amp, I would like to get something that will sound better than my current amp. But I think the current amp SQ and specs are tough to beat for something <$3000. The Benchmark cost $1000 more than the Anthem.

 

[lovinthehd]

I would just get this amp http://www.crownaudio.com/en/products/xls-1502

 

[PENG]

Thank you for your response. I just have an old amp (>20 years), it is working fine. Just needed something new and thought it would be cool to have new gear . Also, I am thinking of moving the older amp to setup a second 2-channel rig at my home office. Since I am getting a new amp, I would like to get something that will sound better than my current amp. But I think the current amp SQ and specs are tough to beat for something <$3000. The Benchmark cost $1000 more than the Anthem.

If your old amps is in top condition and sounds good, the new amp won't make a difference but my sound better due to Placebo effect. I know so because it happened to me more than once.

As others suggested, a low cost proamp such as Crown's or QSC's, or a Monolith may get you more power output than your old amp and more than enough for your speakers. If you really want to try something different and have fun at the same time, then I would go for the Benchmark but negotiate hard on the price. Such amp must have a very high margin so good luck with that. I have an Anthem amp, but I can't really recommend them because I don't think they represent good values.

 

[ct221933]

If your old amps is in top condition and sounds good, the new amp won't make a difference but my sound better due to Placebo effect. I know so because it happened to me more than once.

As others suggested, a low cost proamp such as Crown's or QSC's, or a Monolith may get you more power output than your old amp and more than enough for your speakers. If you really want to try something different and have fun at the same time, then I would go for the Benchmark but negotiate hard on the price. Such amp must have a very high margin so good luck with that. I have an Anthem amp, but I can't really recommend them because I don't think they represent good values.

Hi PENG,

I am curious about your thoughts on Anthem. I know they are pricey. But I will get at least 20% off of list price. How does your Anthem sound?

There is a 3rd amplifier which I am thinking of which is the Bryston 3B Cubed. I know this may be too much (in terms of "stature") to drive my speakers, but it may be the one I keep for 30 years!

 

[Joe B]

I have the opportunity to upgrade my current stereo power amplifier which is >20 years old. My choices are limited to those that has a depth of 13.5 inches or less because of the cabinet which the amplifier will go into. The power amp will be driving a pair of Paradigm Prestige 75F. As I do not have a chance to audition them, I need to make a decision based on their specs on paper. So I need your help please. The 2 amps I am considering are Anthem and Benchmark. Specification for all 3 amps, including my current amps are:

Anthem A2
* Power...200 W into 8ohms
* THD+N...0.001% at 1kHz, 0.03% at 20 kHz
*Damping Factor....360 at 1 kHz
*S/N Ratio...120 dB, A weighted
*Input Sensitivity....1.5Vrms
*IMD...0.0005%

Hafler 9303 (Current Amp)
* Power...150 W into 8ohms
* THD+N...0.005% at 1kHz, 0.07% at 20 kHz
*Damping Factor....800 at 1 kHz (is this possible?)
*S/N Ratio...>100dB, A Weighted
*Input Sensitivity....1.22Vrms

Benchmark AHB2
* Power...100 W into 8ohms
* THD+N...< 0.00013% at 1 kHz
*Damping Factor....254 at 1 kHz
*S/N Ratio...132 dB, A weighted
*Input Sensitivity....2Vrms

Should I upgrade to Benchmark or Anthem?

Thanks

I have a pair of Paradigm 75F's driven by an Anthem MRX520 @ 100 watts per channel--no problem driving the speakers at all. The Anthem A2 you're looking at, along with the other amps (sorry, I think I drooled looking at the Bryston), will never even strain to drive them. Have fun choosing your amp.

On another note:
Are the 75F's going to be the only speakers in a two channel set up? Because if they are, you are going to want to incorporate a sub woofer. The 75F's are a wonderful speaker, but they do not output enough bass on their own. Coupled with a Paradigm sub and Anthem's ARC software to dial in the sound, I could not ask for a lovelier sound. I just wanted to warn you that the 75F's will not do a full spectrum audio experience on their own, but boy oh boy do they sing from 50hz up.

 

[Pogre]

I can vouch for the Monolith. Gobs of power. I have some towers hooked up to it and I'm not afraid of the volume. I've yet to see it get truly hot.

 

[Mikado463]

to answer your question, the Anthem. Are looking to by used or new ?

 

[PENG]

Hi PENG,

I am curious about your thoughts on Anthem. I know they are pricey. But I will get at least 20% off of list price. How does your Anthem sound?

There is a 3rd amplifier which I am thinking of which is the Bryston 3B Cubed. I know this may be too much (in terms of "stature") to drive my speakers, but it may be the one I keep for 30 years!

I have a Bryson too, a 4B SST, also a Halo A21 and others. In my opinion the A21 is the best value. For SQ questions, I prefer PM.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have the opportunity to upgrade my current stereo power amplifier which is >20 years old. ...

Thanks

Is there anything wrong with that amp besides being 20+ years old?
What amp is it?
If nothing wrong with it why change?

 

[ct221933]

Is there anything wrong with that amp besides being 20+ years old?
What amp is it?
If nothing wrong with it why change?

Thanks to all responses.

Amp working fine....wanted something new and also to setup a second system in my office. It is a Hafler 9303.

 

[Pogre]

A quick Google search and a few forum posts lead me to believe you have an amp that has a following among enthusiasts. It seems to be highly regarded. Some of the models from Hafler are so-so and if you get one the 9303 is one of the few to have. Whatever you decide I think I'd hang onto that one (repurpose for the office, like you said). Have fun shopping! I recently spent more money than I needed to myself and don't regret it a bit.

 

[MrBoat]

With those amps, it seems like the missing link is more speakers, or, a pair for each amp. I know it's a post asking about amps, but surely there has to be more speakers involved than a pair of Paradigms.

 

[sterling shoote]

I do not think you will get any satisfaction in replacing your amp which is not broken. Spend your money on some really nice front speakers, perhaps, JBL 4367's.







s

 

[MrBoat]

I didn't think it was about satisfaction more than just wanting to buy some new gear and that's fine as well. I just look at it from a perspective of my paltry equipment and imagine what I could get out of those amps with that kind of $ directed at speakers. Not as a suggestion really. Just an aside to this topic.

Speaker upgrades has always been what I think of first. Somehow, even my old crappy amps manage to shine with better speakers, to where I usually forget about what's driving them.

I'd be perhaps overly excited about owning the OP's 20 year old amps!

 

[ct221933]

to answer your question, the Anthem. Are looking to by used or new ?

New

 

[ct221933]

....but surely there has to be more speakers involved than a pair of Paradigms.

I am a dedicated 2-channel stereo 100% music guy. Source is CD. I don't stream. Love to be able to touch and read the CD sleeve notes. Grew up during the 70s and 80s, converted to CDs in the 80s and never looked back. Cannot understand the resurgence of the LP record. On weekends, the stereo is playing the moment I woke up. I am happy to sit in front of my stereo for several hours just listening to my Jazz CD collection. So my equipment gets consistent use and I am amazed the Hafler amp and preamp lasted 22 years.

 

[MrBoat]

I am a dedicated 2-channel stereo 100% music guy. Source is CD. I don't stream. Love to be able to touch and read the CD sleeve notes. Grew up during the 70s and 80s, converted to CDs in the 80s and never looked back. Cannot understand the resurgence of the LP record. On weekends, the stereo is playing the moment I woke up. I am happy to sit in front of my stereo for several hours just listening to my Jazz CD collection. So my equipment gets consistent use and I am amazed the Hafler amp and preamp lasted 22 years.

Same here. Same era and same listening habits. Although, I listen 7 days/week here mostly. I still have my first system I bought back in '82' and it still works, surprisingly, having beat the crap out of it back then. Now I just have an older Denon AVR as an amp but I do have an abundance of speakers from having been lured into DIY on this very forum. Still, I only listen to them 2 at a time with a subwoofer and the old Denon handles all of them without fuss.

Just looking up your list of amps before replying, I'd be mighty tempted to employ those allover again for all that they're worth. I was amazed at what I got out of mine yet again, with different speakers.

 

[2channel lover]

Thank you for your response. I just have an old amp (>20 years), it is working fine. Just needed something new and thought it would be cool to have new gear . Also, I am thinking of moving the older amp to setup a second 2-channel rig at my home office. Since I am getting a new amp, I would like to get something that will sound better than my current amp. But I think the current amp SQ and specs are tough to beat for something <$3000. The Benchmark cost $1000 more than the Anthem.

I understand...we all like new gear.

SQ...It's kind of shame you aren't able to do an in person demo. Class AB designs of similar price ranges are going to sound very similar. As I mentioned, I think the Monolith would be plenty of amp for your needs, but of the two you mentioned, I'd go for the A2, just wouldn't spend $1k more on the Benchmark.

We're probably close in age...saw the transition from LP to CD and experienced 8 track, reel to reel, etc. like you I'm a Jazz lover, but also like other genres...I've rebuilt my system from the ground up. Most of my gear was in that 20 yr old range as well...When the Salk Sound Song3 A speakers arrive the redo will be completed. I've been a dedicated 2 channel guy for 30+ yrs...as part of this redo I bought a Oppo 205 and started dabbling in SACD and multi channel music.

Coming from the equipment you have and the interest in buying...I know the details in the music matter to you. Some of these remastered CDs in SACD and or multi channel are clearly better than the initial recordings and worth the investment.

In either case, good luck with your purchase...you really can't go wrong from a music stand point with either amp imo.