entry level stereo amp choices

[PENG]

Thanks again everyone for offering you opinions especially TLSGuy who even offered to help locate a Quad 909. Actually that might have been my choice due to the allegely class A kind of quality but it does cost much more for a new one than what I can afford at the moment. No one said anything negative about the Anthem and that's a good thing because I found out of those in my short list only the Anthem, Quad and the Adcom could fit in the limited room behind my plasma's screen. I orginally decided on the Parasound that Seth recommended without reservation but I cancelled the order as soon as I realized its foot print was way too big.

So far I am quite happy with the baby Anthem. It seems to sound better than the Adcom it replaced but don't asked me about ABT because I don't want to hear the truth.

 

[jostenmeat]

I don't want to hear the truth.

Jack says congratulations.

 

[PENG]

but don't asked me about ABT because I don't want to hear the truth.

Too late to edit but some of you might have guessed correctly that I meant DBT, not ABT.

 

[zumbo]

I would pick Anthem over Adcom.

Almost went with an Anthem MCA 20 before I found the Denon.

Quad 909 was just too much, but I almost won one on ebay.

I did win the Quad 99 pre. I dig it for the price I paid, but wouldn't recommend it.

 

[PENG]

I would pick Anthem over Adcom.

Almost went with an Anthem MCA 20 before I found the Denon.

Quad 909 was just too much, but I almost won one on ebay.

I did win the Quad 99 pre. I dig it for the price I paid, but wouldn't recommend it.

I would too and just did. That being said, I don't know if you have tried the more powerful Adcom. My GFA-555 has kept me satisfied for 20 years, then one channel finally blew. That things has 30,000 microfarahs of capacitance per channel and a huge toroidal transformer. In comparison the XPA-5 has only 60,000 uF and 1200 VA transformer for all 5 (200W ea) channels. My new MCA 20 has 32,800 uF but the transformer looks pretty big though.

The cripled 200W (X1 now) Adcom is now powering my center channel. That single channel now can suck on that whole huge toridal without having to share. Hopefully it will do it for another 20 years, no need for that 20 years Bryston like warranty.

 

[zumbo]

Can you look at this and tell me how it compares? Not sure if the info is there.
http://vintageshifi.com/denonpoa2200.pdf

 

[PENG]

Can you look at this and tell me how it compares? Not sure if the info is there.
http://vintageshifi.com/denonpoa2200.pdf

There is enough info there for me to say their amp sections are comparable but the Anthem has a stronger power supply. Denon quoted impressive dynamic power but Anthem did not post such specs. Instead they specified only continuous outputs, full bandwith into 8,4,2 ohms. Between the two I think there isn't enough differences in power output to be noticeable.

 

[zumbo]

There is enough info there for me to say their amp sections are comparable but the Anthem has a stronger power supply. Denon quoted impressive dynamic power but Anthem did not post such specs. Instead they specified only continuous outputs, full bandwith into 8,4,2 ohms. Between the two I think there isn't enough differences in power output to be noticeable.

The Anthem is rated to be 2ohm stable, which is what led me to the decision to buy one.

I just ended-up with a much better deal on the Denon. And once I found the old Denon POA stuff, I got sucked-in. I seem to have this freakish lust for discontinued products that got over-looked.

You did good. Very good.

 

[zumbo]

I just went back to your first post, and hate I didn't connect the Anthem MCA 20 to my recent research. But knowing you, you didn't need me to point-out the facts of that amp.

Keep us posted on that unit. I am jealous.

Fantastic piece.

 

[PENG]

The Anthem is rated to be 2ohm stable, which is what led me to the decision to buy one.

I just ended-up with a much better deal on the Denon. And once I found the old Denon POA stuff, I got sucked-in. I seem to have this freakish lust for discontinued products that got over-looked.

You did good. Very good.

You did great with that vintage Denon for sure. I finished glancing over the BOM and schematics. The 80,000 microfarahs of capacitance could explain the impressive dynamic power specs. For serious music listening especially classical music dynamic power rating is probably more important to continuous power rating. Yamaha has got it right all along but a lot of people don't want to understand and continuous to focus on those so call honesty watts (continous, ACD et.). Of course it is best to have large caps, huge transformers, and 16 high power output devices per channel etc., but that's would be the money no object approach.

 

[Sliverdog]

All,

I'm in the market for a 2-ch amp, but being a newb i have no clue which will be good for my speakers. Hoping for some guidance.

I have a set of mid 80's Canton CT 1000 that was at my house since i was a little kid. Their specs are 4 ohm, 4-8 ohm rec. ampl. impedance, 20 to 30k hz, 160 watt music watt, 110 watt DIN.

I don't know much about what these specs mean but do know that in order to use them correctly i should get a power amp. So what would be some solid options that would utilize these speakers best?

Thanks

S

 

[PENG]

They are 4 ohm speakers with a 12" woofer and 4.5" mid range so you need power. ?They are also 20 years old and do seem to be able to handle too much power so you have to be careful not overpowering them.

I think a low cost 120WX2 receiver such as those by HK or Onkyo can do the job. If you choose to get a >200WPC power amp that will be great too but back off the volume as soon as you hear any sign of stressing the speakers or you risk blowing the tweeters or even the mid range drivers.

 

[Sliverdog]

Peng,

Thanks for your input. Do you think a Emo UPA-2 would be a good choice for the cantons?

Much thanks

S

 

[Alex2507]

I think a low cost 120WX2 receiver such as those by HK or Onkyo can do the job.

Just a heads up on Sliverdog's needs covered in this thread. He's already looking for a rec'r to use as a pre-pro for a multi-channel system so the 2 channel rec'r option doesn't work.

 

[jeannot]

I would not rule out a good quality used multi-channel Amp. One example is the Harman Kardon Citation 5.1 or 7.1, with 4 independant power supplies and channels, really audiophile and designed by the same people who design Mark Levinson.

And they're dirt cheap on the used market too, you can find a used 5.1 (4x100watts, 2x100 + 1x300 or 2x300)) for around $400 and a 7.1 (4x150, 2x150 + 1x450 or 2x450) for around $700.

Their configurability can keep up with your lifestyle, you can bridge for front, then un-bridge for the rear if you upgrade the front.