Good 2 x 200w AMP - $2,000?

[boe]

Good 2 or 3 x 200w AMP - $2,000?

I currently have a parasound 2 x 200 amp which can still be used in a number of configurations. I'm debating between getting a good 3 channel or 2 channel amp to augment my system though.

I'd like to keep it not much higher than $2,000. I use the Rotel for the rest of my surround and it seems fine for that but I'm not quite sure rotel is warm or complete enough to cover my fronts. Any suggestions on a good bang for the buck amp?

Thanks

 

[zumbo]

I use Adcom.

GFA 5500 (200 x 2)

GFA 5503 (200 x 3)

Wild West and One Call are authorized internet dealers.

 

[crashguy]

My favs are NAD, Carver, and Adcom. You will be able to find quite a few of them on any one of the online auction sites.

 

[jaxvon]

Don't neglect to think about Bryston, either. It'd be a little over 2k new, but you could prolly find it in your budget used. Besides, I think it'd be worth the extra couple hundred dollars for the 20-year warranty (but only if you went through an authorized dealer).

 

[boe]

Thanks for the suggestion I'd love to find a good deal on the Bryston 6b sst but hate buying used.

 

[jaxvon]

That said, I'm not sure how much "bang for your buck" Bryston is. One thing is for sure though, they are one of the few amps that go in the "bulletproof" catagory for build quality and ability to take abuse. If you buy a Bryston, you won't have to worry about it needing replacement in a few years.

Just for fun, look at these amp makers and drool. No, you'll probably never even touch them, but it's fun to look and dream

Boulder
FM Acoustics

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

If you want "warm", buy a tube amp. If you put it in front of your listening chair it'll keep your feet toasty!

More seriously, reconsider your aversion to buying used. All of the brands mentioned above are good choices new or used, and you can get good one or two year old late model used versions of their higher priced (more powerful) amps for less. If an amp hasn't died in the first few months of its life it's good to go for many years.

I have been listening happily to a used Adcom GFA545 mkII purchased on eBay for over a year now. A clean, conservatively rated 100 watts/channel cost me $225.

Let me also add ATI to the recommended brand list. Solid build quality & engineering at a fair price whether new or used.

FWIW, if I had the bucks I'd buy Bryston for the reasons above.

 

[20to20K]

Another ATI owner recommends Bryston...

I own and ATI 1502 which is 150watts a side and I love it. Most amps in this price point are going to give you a similiar level of performance (B&K, Rotel,
Adcom, Parasound, NAD etc). To move to that next echolon for noticible improvement in performance you need to make that dramatic jump to Bryston.

Add the mega warrantee to boot and I think it worth the extra $$$ (if you've got them) otherwise one of the previoulsy mentioned brands should suit you fine (I personally prefer Parasound, Rotel, and ATI) and you can get them for well below $2000.

I agree with you 100% about buying a used amp...I've gotten burned on one before as well. If the Bryston warranty is 100% transferable then I may consider one of them...but that's the only exception.

 

[boe]

I've appreciated the bryston amps for years but could never justify one. If I could get a 6b sst new at a really good price I might be willing to move my price point.

 

[annunaki]

For $2K one could easily do the Parasound HCA-2205AT. 220 watts rms x 5 20hz-20khz into 8 ohms all channels driven. That is retail from an authorized dealer. Keep your other Parasound and now you have 7.1.

 

[boe]

Thanks - actually I'll use the parasound for the rears but would like a step up for the fronts.

 

[20to20K]

Boulder Amps

That said, I'm not sure how much "bang for your buck" Bryston is. One thing is for sure though, they are one of the few amps that go in the "bulletproof" catagory for build quality and ability to take abuse. If you buy a Bryston, you won't have to worry about it needing replacement in a few years.

Just for fun, look at these amp makers and drool. No, you'll probably never even touch them, but it's fun to look and dream

Boulder
FM Acoustics

Hey Jax,

Checked out those amps...those specs are unbelievable! 133DB S/N?! THD with 4 zeros in front? When I say unbelievable I mean, of course, I don't believe them! The only way I would believe those specs if they were to charge me at least $50,000 for that amp...then maybe I'd believe it!

They do have a 30 day return with no questions ask policy don't they?

 

[annunaki]

Thanks - actually I'll use the parasound for the rears but would like a step up for the fronts.

Step up as in how? If you already have 200 watts, you would have to upgrade to about 400 watts rms to hear a 3 db difference. I have not noticed much difference between similarly rated, high quality amplifiers unless there were pretty glaring frequency response differences.

I would spend my money to go up in power (at least double) or look into possibly replacing my speakers.

No offense to you.

I just feel that to stay at the same power levels and spend more money is not the best option.

 

[jaxvon]

20to20k....

Well, for the Boulders, the pair of 2050 Monoblocks is $60k. So, yes indeed, they ARE that expensive. The FM acoustics top of the line stereo amp, if I remember correctly, is about $30k. The only manufacturer that I know of with lower distortion is Halcro, but they don't crank out as much juice. The Boulder Preamp (2010) is like $36k and the phono preamp is $29k. Yes, really.

If you wanna read some reviews on the Boulder stuff, here are some links (Stereophile Magazine):

Boulder 2050
Boulder 2008 and 2010

 

[zumbo]

20to20k....

Well, for the Boulders, the pair of 2050 Monoblocks is $60k. So, yes indeed, they ARE that expensive. The FM acoustics top of the line stereo amp, if I remember correctly, is about $30k. The only manufacturer that I know of with lower distortion is Halcro, but they don't crank out as much juice. The Boulder Preamp (2010) is like $36k and the phono preamp is $29k. Yes, really.

If you wanna read some reviews on the Boulder stuff, here are some links (Stereophile Magazine):

Boulder 2050
Boulder 2008 and 2010

Don't you mean Stereophool Magazine?

 

[jaxvon]

Well, yes. But the funny thing is, when the guy reviews the Boulder stuff, he admits that he says a lot of stuff is the best, but that Boulder FAR exceeds anything else. He even says that if you want the best you can buy, just buy a Boulder system and be done with it. While it is Stereophool, I think that speaks volumes for Boulder's quality when a writer blantantly admits he overhypes stuff.

Edit: Oh yeah...just to give you an idea of how rediculous that Boulder is...The 1000w Monoblocks (1000w in 8, 4, or 2 ohms) weigh in at 240 pounds each, have 48 filter caps each, and have 80 (!) transistors, each. WOW

Second Edit: You know, judging by the specs and reviews I've read, I don't think you'd want to return your Boulder stuff after 30 days, or ever.

 

[zumbo]

Well, yes. But the funny thing is, when the guy reviews the Boulder stuff, he admits that he says a lot of stuff is the best, but that Boulder FAR exceeds anything else. He even says that if you want the best you can buy, just buy a Boulder system and be done with it. While it is Stereophool, I think that speaks volumes for Boulder's quality when a writer blantantly admits he overhypes stuff.

Edit: Oh yeah...just to give you an idea of how rediculous that Boulder is...The 1000w Monoblocks (1000w in 8, 4, or 2 ohms) weigh in at 240 pounds each, have 48 filter caps each, and have 80 (!) transistors, each. WOW

Second Edit: You know, judging by the specs and reviews I've read, I don't think you'd want to return your Boulder stuff after 30 days, or ever.

Might have to rent your own truck!

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hey Jax,

Checked out those amps...those specs are unbelievable! 133DB S/N?! THD with 4 zeros in front? When I say unbelievable I mean, of course, I don't believe them! The only way I would believe those specs if they were to charge me at least $50,000 for that amp...then maybe I'd believe it!

They do have a 30 day return with no questions ask policy don't they?

Can you float $50k for 30 days?

 

[mtrycrafts]

That said, I'm not sure how much "bang for your buck" Bryston is. One thing is for sure though, they are one of the few amps that go in the "bulletproof" catagory for build quality and ability to take abuse. If you buy a Bryston, you won't have to worry about it needing replacement in a few years.

Just for fun, look at these amp makers and drool. No, you'll probably never even touch them, but it's fun to look and dream

Boulder
FM Acoustics

I looked at one amp at Fm acoustics claiming 20A continuous yet it can only do 250 watts cont into 2 ohm load? That is less than 12A. Even a peak of 500watts into 2 ohms is only 16A.

 

[jaxvon]

Perhaps that extra power is lost as heat, or they just like to rate their amps really really conservatively. Either way, I think I'd like to mess with one.

I still don't think it'd be like having a Krell in your room. Hell, if you have a Master Reference (or anything close), you won't need a furnace for half your house!