New to the field, seeking recomendations.

[furrycute]

I actually saw one for sale on audiogon about a month ago. I think the guy was asking something like $700 for that Parasound Classic 2250. It got snatched up in one day. Unbelievable.

I checked out the 2250 which is high current like the A23 but it's more expensive. Around $1200 and you rarely seem them on audiogon.

 

[gus6464]

Yeah, I think you are right, that A21 is kind of overkill for bookshelves. But hey, it does look awesome doesn't it?

I read that the early Halo products have some quality control issues. The quality control issues were later corrected. So I am not too keen on buying a used Halo.

But that A23 only weighs about 28lbs. For some reason, I like my amps to weigh at least 50lbs or more. I know this is unscientific. But I have always had good luck with beefy amps in the past. Maybe it's just me.

You might like the Shanling A300 integrated amp. It's a dual mono design and weighs a whooping 66lbs. It is truly a beast.

http://www.pacificvalve.us/ShanlingA300.html

 

[furrycute]

Thanks for the suggestion gus.

But I am not too keen on tubes. I would like to stick with solid state for now.

 

[gus6464]

Thanks for the suggestion gus.

But I am not too keen on tubes. I would like to stick with solid state for now.

It's not tube, it's pure solid state.

 

[furrycute]

Actually it's a hybrid. See those two tubes in that picture?

It looks like a nice integrated. But for $1699, you might as well go for that Parasound Halo A21, the list price on that one is only $1999.

 

[gus6464]

Actually it's a hybrid. See those two tubes in that picture?

It looks like a nice integrated. But for $1699, you might as well go for that Parasound Halo A21, the list price on that one is only $1999.

Oh wow I just noticed the tubes. I had taken this amp out of my list because I thought it was pure SS and I wanted tube preamp. For $1199 it's not a bad price after all. The Ming Da costs $500 and another $600-700 which puts it right at my budget. Too bad it doesn't show the pretty little tubes

I find $2000 way too much to spend on an amp, rather use half of it toward better speakers. Heh I am having a hard time deciding to drop over $1000 on amplification. But I want something that will last for a very looooooooong time.

 

[furrycute]

I don't know about these hybrid amps/integrated amps.

A few years ago, they were all the rage on the net. Whoever was peddling them was doing quite a good job getting everyone excited about them.

When all the excitement died down, and people had a chance to actually listen to how they perform, well, they didn't perform so well. Right around that time, I saw a glut of them turning up for sale on audiogon and other for sale forums.

As a rule, I always stay away from products (especially from new companies) that stir up a lot of controversy in a short period of time. Has saved me a lot of headache of having to deal with disappointments, both emotional and financial, later on.

 

[furrycute]

Well, I did see a used A21 for sale on audiogon for $1200 about a month ago (I guess a lot of people were short on money after that Christmas shopping binge ). Just wait around, who knows, one may just turn up.

To be honest, I too think $2000 is way too much to spend on an amp. For that kind of money, you might as well get a flagship Yamaha receiver that can drive just about most speakers. The amp section in flagship receivers are quite beefy. Plus you get all those cool processors (which you will probably never use).

 

[gus6464]

I don't know about these hybrid amps/integrated amps.

A few years ago, they were all the rage on the net. Whoever was peddling them was doing quite a good job getting everyone excited about them.

When all the excitement died down, and people had a chance to actually listen to how they perform, well, they didn't perform so well. Right around that time, I saw a glut of them turning up for sale on audiogon and other for sale forums.

As a rule, I always stay away from products (especially from new companies) that stir up a lot of controversy in a short period of time. Has saved me a lot of headache of having to deal with disappointments, both emotional and financial, later on.

I hear ya. Only reason I want tube preamp is because I got to listen to a setup that had tube preamp with a separate SS amp and it sounded excellent. That and I love the look of tube gear.