VOTE: Best sounding power amps

[Takeereasy]

I had to vote based on what I've heard. I picked Marantz (because my receiver is a Marantz so brand loyalty) and I picked NAD (because I've heard some of their integrated amps paired with MA speakers and was very impressed). I have to admit though that I do like the older, IMO warmer Marantz sound more than the new more clinical sound, except for HT that is.

I can't get over that Krell spec of 433 lbs a piece for monoblocks? What a horrible job of overkill and elitism. Who in their right mind would buy those things? I'll take 7.

I wish I'd heard some of the more esoteric brands you guys are talking about but I just haven't. Also I've got to say that one of my favourite kind of amps are vintage Pioneer amps. They just sound great to me, at least the big beefy ones. Oh well, really just a matter of personal taste.

 

[surveyor]

I had to vote based on what I've heard. I picked Marantz (because my receiver is a Marantz so brand loyalty) and I picked NAD (because I've heard some of their integrated amps paired with MA speakers and was very impressed). I have to admit though that I do like the older, IMO warmer Marantz sound more than the new more clinical sound, except for HT that is.

I can't get over that Krell spec of 433 lbs a piece for monoblocks? What a horrible job of overkill and elitism. Who in their right mind would buy those things? I'll take 7.

I wish I'd heard some of the more esoteric brands you guys are talking about but I just haven't. Also I've got to say that one of my favourite kind of amps are vintage Pioneer amps. They just sound great to me, at least the big beefy ones. Oh well, really just a matter of personal taste.

Could you imagine Gene's frame of mind after testing seven each of them. Plus his back, you know how he hates to wait for help lifting things. I'll bet the language used would not be fit for print!

 

[MacManNM]

I can't afford this, but I think it looks cool as hell. I'd love to have 7.

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/mcprod/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=14&cat=Power+Amplifiers&prodid=1022&product=MC1201

I'd settle for 2.

 

[Takeereasy]

Surveyor, even Clint might need a hand (or a skidsteer) with those bad boys .

MacManNM, that is one good looking Amp. I can't imagine owning almost any of the stuff you guys are listing. Also wouldn't these amps lead to another problem? What kind of speaker needs a 1200 watt RMS amp, or worse what kind of speaker could do it justice? No, don't tell me, I'm happier not knowing what I'm missing out on.

 

[9f9c7z]

...What kind of speaker needs a 1200 watt RMS amp, or worse what kind of speaker could do it justice? No, don't tell me, I'm happier not knowing what I'm missing out on.

The ‘House Wrecker’ is a subwoofer with four 15-inch drivers in the cabinet:

… This enclosure will properly load rooms between 144 sq. ft. and 32,000 sq. ft. with extremely serious bass. Enough to cause minor damage in homes - hence the name! … Responses range from narrow bandwidth to wide bandwidth with typical responses down to 13 HZ …


When I put a pair of those House Wreckers in my living room, I’m gonna want a pair of those McIntosh amps to drive ‘em proper!

 

[Audiosouse]

Suuuuuweeeeet!

Love the wattmeter. Also good to know "...provides low distortion power transfer at frequencies well beyond the limits of human hearing...".

I want to know that what I don't hear sounds damn good!

The dog'll be happy.

This is more of a halo "look what I can do" product than anything marketable.

 

[surveyor]

I can't afford this, but I think it looks cool as hell. I'd love to have 7.

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/mcprod/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=14&cat=Power+Amplifiers&prodid=1022&product=MC1201

I'd settle for 2.

I can't afford the gear most use on this site!
I have a champane taste on a generic beer income. You've seen those white beer cans with BEER (in black) in the non refrigerated area of the country store before haven't you?

 

[Sleestack]

Yeah that's the one, still shows as current on the Canadian website for $2220! It was extremely powerful and simple to use, priced at $999 if I remember correctly. If I had known what it was worth I would have lived with the debt. It was one of the nicest pieces of equipment I've used and left quite an impression on me, it really took control of those speakers. When I finally went back to the store where I bought my 3805 and Monitor System Seven, it was long gone.

Yes, the Denon PMA2000IVR is a real sleeper. In these days of Home Theater, not many people are looking at 2 channel-only inetgrated amps. I have all the HT stuff, but I'm really more of a 2 channel junkie. You can pick up the PMAIVR2000 for under $1K. It holds its own against any of the higher end gear I have and is definitely rated as one of my all-time favorite bargain(relatively speaking) pieces.

On another note... so many names missing from this vote. Manley, Meridian, Pass Labs, Parasound, VAC, etc.

 

[JoeE SP9]

ARC tubes are amomg the best but the CJ premier is the best I've heard. I have to say I'm partial to my modified Dyna MK3's. The only original parts are the transformers.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Yoo hoo, Mtrycrafts...Chris...where are you guys? You're late!

 

[stiletto pat]

Other great amplifiers

Yes, the "Other" catagory gets another vote.

How about the old Threshold Stasis Power amps? Those were incredible sounding units, and still command hefty prices on Audiogon. What about the Halfler designs - great sound for budget dollars? How about B&K - great sound for the money?

Lots of choices - just glad I could afford a couple of them over the years.

Pat

 

[blackdeuce]

I'm sure it's not THE best amplifier, but the Continuum amp (by Coda) that I'm using for my front mains is the best I've had in my system. It replaced an original Adcom GFA-555. I have a conrad johnson tube preamp (PV-14) and VonSchweikert VR-4 speakers. The Continuum solid state amp works great with these pieces of equipment.

 

[jaxvon]

I've never listened to any of those, but I'd have to say that the best would probably be a Boulder or a Halcro [This was Bryston, a mistype]. Those things are...insane. Especially the Boulders. So much overkill it's awesome. And it's only $60k for the pair of monoblocks! Such a deal...

 

[surveyor]

I've never listened to any of those, but I'd have to say that the best would probably be a Boulder or a Bryston. Those things are...insane. Especially the Boulders. So much overkill it's awesome. And it's only $60k for the pair of monoblocks! Such a deal...

Could we get an Audoholics discount on these?
Let say we buy 7 ea. mono blocks at MSRP $210,000, then with a 10 % Audioholics discount that would be only $189,000.

 

[MacManNM]

Yoo hoo, Mtrycrafts...Chris...where are you guys? You're late!

TAUNTING on the Offense, 20 yard penalty, repeat first down.

 

[mawst95]

I thought a good amp only amplifies the source, not alter it?



(sorry every party needs a party pooper )

 

[Sleestack]

I thought a good amp only amplifies the source, not alter it?



(sorry every party needs a party pooper )

No, that's just what they tell people who don't trust their own judgment.

 

[Nick250]

I thought a good amp only amplifies the source, not alter it?



(sorry every party needs a party pooper )

Your are absolutely correct and a point all to often lost in this kind of discussion.

 

[Jaycan]

This list is obviously incomplete, since "other" category is winning. My personal preference is Mark Levinson, which is not listed as a choice.