Which Amp?

[Jeff R.]

I am hoping to buy used amp ASAP. I have found a Parasound HCA-2003 and an Outlaw 750 for similar pricing. I realize that one is a 3 channel amp and one is a 5 channel amp. I am really only wanting to drive my front 3 speakers all MB Quarts (See my sig.) which from what I have found out are very difficult to drive due to the very low impedance drops. Does anybody see a clear winner. I really think either will do a good job just wondering if anybody has experience with these amps and toughto drive speakers.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Jeff R.]

OK - So I lost out on the Parasound. I am a little unsure about how old of an amp I should be concerned about purchasing. If I a going with a solid state amp that is used, is there a specific age that I should deem to much of risk to purchase due to age. Not to mention I have seen many of the older amps do not have any 12V triggers to automatically turn them on. Any advice is very welcome.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[jinjuku]

I guess the age stipulation has very much do to the initial build quality and subsequent treatment of the amp.

I have a 32 year old Crown DC300A that still works fine. Last time I had it benched it was still putting out 187 watts per channel at 1Khz before clipping (this was 11 years ago mind you).

I just picked up a ~12 year old Adcom 5503 for $400 and it has spec'd out to factory specifications. No 12v trigger though.

My Parasound HCA100A is only a few years old and I expect to get decades of use from them.

 

[WmAx]

Why not invest in top quality new amps that will drive anything/everything for the next 20-30 years?

Get a couple of Yamaha P2500S amplifiers. Pro amps of top quality. Higher than normal electric efficiency as well(nearly 2x compared to standard class AB). 20Hz-20,000Hz rated power of 250 x 2 into 8 Ohms, 310 x 2 into 4 Ohms, both channels driven. 1kHz power rating of 275x2 into 8 Ohms and 390 x2 into 4 OHms. BTW, most amps are rated at the 1kHz specification, if you want to do a more general comparison to other amps 'power' class ratings.

Unlike most pro amps, this one(series) does not have any fan noise to deal with and the rack mount side tabs easily come off so you can use the amps in regular consumer audio racks.

Virtually no speaker is going to be a 'difficult' load to these Yamaha P**00S series amplifiers.

Note: With most pro amps, these included, you need to use an inexpensive adapter to connect the pro amp to consumer RCA output jacks. The Samson S-Convert is an excellent suggested unit. Failure to use this will leave high probability of audible noise floor/hiss and not able to use the amplifier's full power output capability due to the consumer RCA line level being too low in voltage level compared to the level used for pro gear. The Samson device recommended will transparently convert the voltage levels from consumer to pro gear or vice versa.

If you want great used amps, I recommend hounding eBay and buying a pair of Adcom GFA-555 amplifiers. About $220-$250 each should be possible, and you get amps with a measured 237 x 2 at 8 ohms, both channels driven, and not far from 400 watts x 2 into 4 Ohms.

-Chris

-Chris

 

[Jeff R.]

Chris - My only concern with the Yamaha Pro amps is I did not see an auto-on or 12V trigger. Am I correct in my observation or did I miss something? I really need this to be a very easy to use system that my wife will have no issues correctly turning off and on. I realize it is only an off and on switch, but I am concerned none the less.

 

[3db]

Why not invest in top quality new amps that will drive anything/everything for the next 20-30 years?

Get a couple of Yamaha P2500S amplifiers. Pro amps of top quality. Higher than normal electric efficiency as well(nearly 2x compared to standard class AB). 20Hz-20,000Hz rated power of 250 x 2 into 8 Ohms, 310 x 2 into 4 Ohms, both channels driven. 1kHz power rating of 275x2 into 8 Ohms and 390 x2 into 4 OHms. BTW, most amps are rated at the 1kHz specification, if you want to do a more general comparison to other amps 'power' class ratings.

Unlike most pro amps, this one(series) does not have any fan noise to deal with and the rack mount side tabs easily come off so you can use the amps in regular consumer audio racks.

Virtually no speaker is going to be a 'difficult' load to these Yamaha P**00S series amplifiers.

Note: With most pro amps, these included, you need to use an inexpensive adapter to connect the pro amp to consumer RCA output jacks. The Samson S-Convert is an excellent suggested unit. Failure to use this will leave high probability of audible noise floor/hiss and not able to use the amplifier's full power output capability due to the consumer RCA line level being too low in voltage level compared to the level used for pro gear. The Samson device recommended will transparently convert the voltage levels from consumer to pro gear or vice versa.

If you want great used amps, I recommend hounding eBay and buying a pair of Adcom GFA-555 amplifiers. About $220-$250 each should be possible, and you get amps with a measured 237 x 2 at 8 ohms, both channels driven, and not far from 400 watts x 2 into 4 Ohms.

-Chris

-Chris

Those specs for the Yamaha aren't earth shattering by any stretch. I'd go for a used NAD over them if power is a concern. Better yet, a used Bryston with industry leading 20 yr warranty. Most people who purchase HT also don't give much importance to amplfier efficiency. If so.. they would be buying LCD over Plasma but we all know that this is not happening.

 

[WmAx]

Those specs for the Yamaha aren't earth shattering by any stretch. I'd go for a used NAD over them if power is a concern. Better yet, a used Bryston with industry leading 20 yr warranty. Most people who purchase HT also don't give much importance to amplfier efficiency. If so.. they would be buying LCD over Plasma but we all know that this is not happening.

They are simply powerful and good value amplifiers that will drive most any load with ease. Top notch build quality. No reason to pay same for an 'audiophile' amp with much less output power and lower electrical efficiency when you have these available. You also have a large range of units in this series to choose based on needed power. From 250x2 into 8 ohms/310 into 4 ohms up to 700x2 into 8 Ohms/950 into 4 Ohms, and everything in between available through median model numbers/ PS2500S, PS3500S, PS5000S and PS7000S.

-Chris

 

[Mika75]

Another recommendation for the Yamaha, professionally used by Finnkino Oy Cinema Installations

If I could start over, P Series is the product I would chose.

 

[jinjuku]

Chris - My only concern with the Yamaha Pro amps is I did not see an auto-on or 12V trigger. Am I correct in my observation or did I miss something? I really need this to be a very easy to use system that my wife will have no issues correctly turning off and on. I realize it is only an off and on switch, but I am concerned none the less.

Why is it so tough for Women to hit a power button on something electronic. Also the same goes for Toilet seats:

1. We know you gal's are intelligent
2. We know your arms and fingers work

 

[jinjuku]

Those specs for the Yamaha aren't earth shattering by any stretch. I'd go for a used NAD over them if power is a concern. Better yet, a used Bryston with industry leading 20 yr warranty. Most people who purchase HT also don't give much importance to amplfier efficiency. If so.. they would be buying LCD over Plasma but we all know that this is not happening.

Used Bryston cost about 3X what a new comparable (wattage/current) P2500S costs.

I have no doubt that the Yammy will run for 20 years especially in a home environment.

And yes I am comparing Bryston to Yamaha pro-amps from the experience that My Parasound HCA1000A doesn't do anything night and day better than my Behringer A500. I couldn't pass the HCA1000a up at $200 for what was basically a new amp.

 

[Jeff R.]

Do any of the proamps have the auto-on feature?

Also is there a particular year that home amps started to feature this as a standard or do I need to determine this for each potentially used amp that I investigate?

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Josuah]

My only concern with the Yamaha Pro amps is I did not see an auto-on or 12V trigger.

No trigger is annoying. You could purchase a power unit that has triggered switches, or build your own 12V trigger.

I've been searching for a 12V trigger box that turns on its output if at least one of the inputs goes high. I've only seen ones where multiple outputs go high when the input goes high.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If so.. they would be buying LCD over Plasma but we all know that this is not happening.

What? I would buy an LCD over a Plasma.