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Some amplifier advice needed

66.61.56.29
Posted on July 16, 2016 at 21:00:02
Bold Eagle
Audiophile

Posts: 6936
Location: America's Heartland
Joined: May 27, 2001
 OK, now that I have reappeared, allow me to pick your brains a little. The back story is that I have this basic insecurity and want a second set of electronics (I have plenty of speakers). I thought I had it worked out, using my NAD C350 integrated amp as the backup amp/preamp. However, it turns out the imaging is weak. Everything collapses into the center. I did a little research swapping amps and preamps with my Rotel gear, and found the C350's problem is in the power amp. The preamp is actually pretty good, and after adding a bunch of bypass caps across the polar electrolytic coupling caps it is close to the Rotel. So, the C350 won't do for a backup power amp.

I also ordered an Adcom GTP-400 tuner preamp to swap out with the Rotel RTC-940 tuner-preamp. So, I'm halfway there. Now, I need to find a good basic power amp. I figure a solid 60 W/ch is enough; but it needs to be able to handle at least 4 ohm loads. I would prefer a dual mono amp (like my Rotel RB1050)for the better imaging. A few that would work well would be another RB1050, Adcom GFA535 II or GFA 5300. Some of those were around last week; but not today. I'd like to stay under $300.

I did come across a couple of amps that look interesting; so I'd like advice on those. One was a Parasound M750a at 75 W/ch, dual mono and a solid low impedance rating. The other is a Kenwood MK X-1000. 125 w/ch into 4 ohms, dual mono, THX rated. I also found a Hafler DH-220. Not dual mono; but plenty of room in the chassis for two more caps and another bridge rectifier. It probably could use new filter caps anyway.

I have several options - one being to just wait until one of my preferred amps shows up and hope nothing happens.

Anyway, thanks in advance, and yes, I am open to suggestions.

Jerry

 

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RE: Some amplifier advice needed, posted on July 16, 2016 at 23:56:17
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005



Jerry
Right here is what I would be getting if I were you..You can run these in mono as well but the MV75 drove my Acoustat 3s just beautifully.Your Rotel will work excellent with this amp..You can pick them up reasonably and put some new caps in and you'll be in heaven.With all that sand,you have to have at least one bottle fed amp.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Some amplifier advice needed, posted on July 17, 2016 at 06:48:19
spindoctor
Audiophile

Posts: 1661
Location: Virginia
Joined: December 31, 2002
 I use a CJ MV-55 in my main system and it serves me quite well. So thumbs up on the CJ amplifier.
Sim

 

Another direction, posted on July 17, 2016 at 10:56:30
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6599
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 Jerry,

An audio buddy used a Monarchy SM70 for monitoring when he did on-site recordings. Being of modest size, weight, and price all helped but he would not have used it if the sonics were not up to his standards. And BTW his home system was bi-amped with much more expensive tubes and SS.

That was how I learned about Monarchy which has a somewhat low profile. Since then I've had personal experience with the Monarchy SE100s which I consider a great value. But that is only available as monoblocs and may have more power than you need.

Having suggested that, I am a fan of most c-j sonics I've experienced so would not argue against the MV75 Michael recommended if you want to consider tubes.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

RE: Some amplifier advice needed, posted on July 17, 2016 at 12:49:35
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 CJ makes great stuff as does Audio Research and McIntosh..My friend had the MV-45 and that was a nice amp as well.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Some amplifier advice needed, posted on July 17, 2016 at 20:39:24
geezerrocket
 Crappy leaky caps below.




Fresh new caps below.



Jerry; I recently rebuilt a Adcom GFA-5400 for my son and it sounds magnificent. I think it would go nicely with your GTP-400.

$80 in caps and binding posts (the binding post really didn't need replacing), and your in business for another 20 years.



 

Sorry to be the contrarian, but, posted on July 18, 2016 at 06:14:26
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37580
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 I like Conrad-Johnson products and have heard a number since 1980 including the Premier One and ART Series II. From my perspective, however, the MV75 has a fatal flaw: poor low level resolution.

Many moons ago, I borrowed one from a reviewer friend and compared it to my Threshold Stasis 3 driving Acoustat 2+2s. Nice amp overall, but like the AR Integrated amp before it, it loses it when the going gets soft.

If you find the "first watt" to be important, this amp is not a good match.

 

RE: Some amplifier advice needed, posted on July 18, 2016 at 08:44:59
HoosierAudio
Audiophile

Posts: 377
Location: MidWest, USA
Joined: November 28, 2005
 In lieu of the DH 220 I believe the Hafler XL 280 would be a better choice. I had a bigger/better power supply and upgraded design IMHO.

HA

 

RE: Some amplifier advice needed, posted on July 18, 2016 at 10:15:32
Eli Duttman
Audiophile

Posts: 10455
Location: Monroe Township, NJ
Joined: March 31, 2000
 The Hafler DH-200, DH-220, and XL-280 are 3 variations on the same theme. Any of the group will benefit greatly from an AVA rebuild. However, I don't think that fits with Jerry's budget.

FWIW, I had a DH-200 rebuilt by Frank VA, et al., decades ago. I was quite satisfied with the result. AVA has refined the Hafler rebuild, with the passing of time. If the cash is there, along with an amp "carcass", I say go for the rebuild.


Eli D.

 

RE: Sorry to be the contrarian, but, posted on July 18, 2016 at 11:00:38
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 Ralf
Would you believe I had the very first CJ Premier one power amp they made.It was serial number 00001 and I got it from my audio mentor after he passed away and I ended up selling it to a truck driver in Canada..It was good when you cranked it up but it lacked detail in the upper ranges and this was on Magnepan Tympani 4s...The Premier 2 preamp was fabulous tho.The problem you mention about low level resolution was very apparent in the Premier one until you cranked it up..The Dyna Mk3s actually had better resolution even in stock form and that's why I sold it.
Kenny got the Premier one from the President of IMF Electronics USA and his name was Ron Bliss..IMF USA was two blocks from my house at the time.
If I had known then what I know now about upgrades and mods,I could have improved the amp but it was only to 15khz.. The MV75 later versions were very good actually.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

These are the specs on the premier one, posted on July 18, 2016 at 11:02:58
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 SPECIFICATIONS
Power: 200 watts per channel, minimum RMS at 4, 8, or 16 ohms from 30Hz to
15kHz, with no more than 1% total harmonic distortion or intermodulation distortion.
Sensitivity: 1.0 volt to full power
Small Signal Distortion: less than .051 at midband
Phase: Phase correct (non-inverting)
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz to -.5 db
Hum and Noise: 100 db below full power output
Input Impedance: 100k ohms
Dimensions: 19 x 10 ½ x 12 ¼"
Weight: 135 lbs
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

I heard HP's, posted on July 18, 2016 at 11:22:59
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37580
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 driving the IRS towers.

The problem you mention about low level resolution was very apparent in the Premier one until you cranked it up.

Yogi Berra couldn't have said it any better. :)

 

Tight budget, posted on July 18, 2016 at 11:36:34
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37580
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 One nearly current sleeper that I use in the office system is an Emotiva mini-X A100 that can easily be found for around $200 and delivers 80W/channel into 4 ohms.

It beat the pants of a Kenwood receiver the previous home owner provided. Has remote trigger and gain control. Mine lives tucked away in a cabinet.

Manual

 

RE: I heard HP's, posted on July 18, 2016 at 11:40:37
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 The Perreaux 2150 and the 5150 were very good amps as well but my favorite SS amp is still the Threshold SA series..I still have my 800a tho.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Some amplifier advice needed, posted on July 18, 2016 at 14:57:43
Bold Eagle
Audiophile

Posts: 6936
Location: America's Heartland
Joined: May 27, 2001
 I just bought an Adcom GFA-545 II. Pretty similar to the 5400. So I'd like to ask about those caps you put in the 5400. I can't read the brand on the caps well enough, so if you don't mind, I need the brand, type of model, and where you got them. The stock caps in the 454 II are each 10,000 uF/63 V; but going up a little has worked well for me in the past.

Jerry

 

RE: Consider Creek, posted on July 18, 2016 at 15:11:23
Russ57
Audiophile

Posts: 3754
Location: South Florida
Joined: November 16, 2001
 A British made amp that has always sounded much better than it should for its price. Haven't heard the newer evolution line but the old 4330 was a darn good little amp. Creek's tend to be a little lower in power than most offerings but that should not be a problem with your speakers.

From a sound quality point of view I find them a nice step up from NAD/Rotel/Adcom. But these matters are subjective.

 

The 800A was a breakthrough product, posted on July 18, 2016 at 15:11:42
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37580
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 in terms of great sounding high powered solid state amps of that day. The dealer where I used to hang out in high school got one circa '75 to drive their Dayton-Wrights. The lights would dim when that sucker powered up.

What an incredible beginning for what time has proven to be a gifted designer. I had a lower output Stasis 3 for over thirty years. I wouldn't mind hearing one of Nelson's latest Xs series amps. :)

 

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