Budget Amp - Lively, dyanmic

[soulrider4ever]

Hey all,

To power 200w speakers, 6 ohm, 90db towers

I'm looking for a amp - new or used less than $700. I'd like an amp that focuses on soundstage / imaging / dyanmics. I'd really like to stay away from 'laidback' amps.

Here are some I've been looking at - wondering if I'm missing any gems.

Used NAD 2200PE ($300) - rebuilt with 1 year warranty - making actual 188wpc.

Used Arcam A85 ($500) - In good shape, local seller, no warranty - heard from reviews - good soundstage but more polite.

Emotiva UPA-2 ($300) - Would probably me more than enough for these.

Emotiva XPA-2 ($800) - Would like to get, but being honest - I'm not sure if the wife factor will allow it :/

Onix A-120mkii ($450ish?) - If I can find one for sale....

Others
Anthem PVA-2
Rotel 1070
Adcom GFA-555mkii

 

[bandphan]

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1245170210&/Hafler-DH-500

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You ok with using a pro amp?

Behringer EP 2500 or a Yammy pro amp will simply blow away about any consumer amp on the market and they are dirt cheap.

 

[scooterp7]

You ok with using a pro amp?

Behringer EP 2500 or a Yammy pro amp will simply blow away about any consumer amp on the market and they are dirt cheap.

Any recommendation on where to purchase an inexpensive pro audio rack to house these amps? TIA.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

ZZounds

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHEP2500

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMP2500S

 

[markw]

Here's a clue for ya.

A 200 watt amp isn't gonna be a heckuva lot louder than a 100 watt amp. In fact the difference will be barely noticible.

For more of an explanation, check out the "AV University" pages off the main page.

 

[j_garcia]

Where do you get the 200w rating? If you are looking on the back of the speaker, that is a MAX rating before your speakers or crossover begin to fry, not the recommended power level. AFAIK, there is no such thing as a "200w speaker".

 

[soulrider4ever]

Yes 200W max - that's what I was going for here, any more home owner amps?? I was looking at a B&K ST 2140 - 140wpc, think it's better than the upa-2?

 

[soulrider4ever]

A 200 watt amp isn't gonna be a heckuva lot louder than a 100 watt amp. In fact the difference will be barely noticible.

For more of an explanation, check out the "AV University" pages off the main page.

I'm not caring about power, I'm caring about sonic signature.

Dynamic, bold, lively, imaging, soundstage

 

[Davemcc]

I'm not caring about power, I'm caring about sonic signature.

Dynamic, bold, lively, imaging, soundstage

Amps should not have a sonic signature. They should accurately reproduce the source signal without adding any signature of their own. Descriptors like dynamic, bold, lively, ect. should describe the source material, not the equipment that reproduces it. An amp that introduces it's own sonic signature is not reproducing the source accurately.

 

[soulrider4ever]

Amps should not have a sonic signature. They should accurately reproduce the source signal without adding any signature of their own. Descriptors like dynamic, bold, lively, ect. should describe the source material, not the equipment that reproduces it. An amp that introduces it's own sonic signature is not reproducing the source accurately.

Ok, so why are terms like that used to describe power amps all the time in reviews??

IE - http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/onix-a-120mkii-integrated-amplifier/onix-a-120mkii-remote-and-listening-evaluation

go to listening results, 2nd paragraph.

 

[markw]

Bullshiite.

I'm not caring about power, I'm caring about sonic signature.

Dynamic, bold, lively, imaging, soundstage

If you weren't concerned about power, you wouldn't have made that anal crack about the NAD being "only" 188 watts.

But, from your more recent posts, you seem to know more than we do here so why should I/we bother to try to educate you? You already know it all.

 

[highfigh]

Hey all,

To power 200w speakers, 6 ohm, 90db towers

I'm looking for a amp - new or used less than $700. I'd like an amp that focuses on soundstage / imaging / dyanmics. I'd really like to stay away from 'laidback' amps.

Here are some I've been looking at - wondering if I'm missing any gems.

Used NAD 2200PE ($300) - rebuilt with 1 year warranty - making actual 188wpc.

Used Arcam A85 ($500) - In good shape, local seller, no warranty - heard from reviews - good soundstage but more polite.

Emotiva UPA-2 ($300) - Would probably me more than enough for these.

Emotiva XPA-2 ($800) - Would like to get, but being honest - I'm not sure if the wife factor will allow it :/

Onix A-120mkii ($450ish?) - If I can find one for sale....

Others
Anthem PVA-2
Rotel 1070
Adcom GFA-555mkii

What speakers are these? They'll have a lot more effect on soundstage than the amp.

 

[lsiberian]

ZZounds

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHEP2500

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMP2500S

Get the Yamaha you can do a price match for any zzounds item and usually get a great deal. If you are up for a fan mod you can also use an ep2500.

But I will toss out the Behringer A500. It might fit the billing for your needs and costs less than the ep2500 and has a quieter fan. Paired with a DCX2496 you can make any sound signature you want.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

A true 200 watts/ch from an outboard amp will likely be quite noticible vs. a 100 watt AVR measured as one channel driven. At low/mod volumes an amp isn't going to show its face but if you listen loud or have a big room then they can make a big difference in dynamics.

When I run my speakers off the 140 watt AVR, my speakers seem flat and boring but I have a huge room and like loud music.

A 200 watt amp isn't gonna be a heckuva lot louder than a 100 watt amp. In fact the difference will be barely noticible.

For more of an explanation, check out the "AV University" pages off the main page.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Do a search and find out the issues Chris describes with the A500.

Get the Yamaha you can do a price match for any zzounds item and usually get a great deal. If you are up for a fan mod you can also use an ep2500.

But I will toss out the Behringer A500. It might fit the billing for your needs and costs less than the ep2500 and has a quieter fan. Paired with a DCX2496 you can make any sound signature you want.

 

[markw]

Let's keep this an apples to apples comparison, shall we?

A true 200 watts/ch from an outboard amp will likely be quite noticible vs. a 100 watt AVR measured as one channel driven. At low/mod volumes an amp isn't going to show its face but if you listen loud or have a big room then they can make a big difference in dynamics.

When I run my speakers off the 140 watt AVR, my speakers seem flat and boring but I have a huge room and like loud music.

Do you see any receivers mentioned here?

AFAICT, we're talking all power amps and, yes, three decibles isn't a heckuva lot of difference.

 

[Likecoiledsteel]

Look for a used Rotel 1090.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I didn't actually read the whole thread but I have noticed that you have been quite a prick lately

Do you see any receivers mentioned here?

AFAICT, we're talking all power amps and, yes, three decibles isn't a heckuva lot of difference.

 

[Davemcc]

Ok, so why are terms like that used to describe power amps all the time in reviews??

IE - http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/onix-a-120mkii-integrated-amplifier/onix-a-120mkii-remote-and-listening-evaluation

go to listening results, 2nd paragraph.

I guess that's something you'll have to ask Gene. I've never seen a review where the reviewer said the amp was dull, plodding and heavy. In that case, it would indicate that the amp is not performing properly. In the case of the review in your link, it could have gone like this:

Listening Results

The amplifier performed properly.

But it's hard to make an editorial article out of such basic terms and makes it difficult to convey the reviewers pleasure or excitement with a product. If there is more to this, I'd like to hear about it so that I can learn more. I place a high value on Gene's reviews. If he has more to say on this subject, I'm all ears.