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In search of a new amp

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Posted on March 3, 2017 at 16:56:23
Bikeryder
Audiophile

Posts: 75
Location: MontrealWest
Joined: March 27, 2006
Need some suggestions for an amp upgrade, not up on the latest gear available and don't want to make a sideways move. Currently using a long in the tooth Simaudio i-5080 with Altec A7-800. Looking for the same type of clear, dynamic presentation, gobs of power not needed. Willing to spend around $2000 or so.
Thanks

 

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RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 4, 2017 at 01:11:35
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
If you can get by with 2.5-3W look on the Audio Trader, here, for Bottlehead Paramount V1.1 2A3 monoblock amps with Magnequest Nickel iron.

 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 4, 2017 at 04:41:03
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2442
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
Here ya go!

 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 4, 2017 at 08:08:24
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
I'm going to throw my hat into the ring. I built the St-70 and put in the Gold Lion KT-88 output tubes and have been happy since.

The only way I can review this amp is like this:
My wife gave me a little over $8000 to go buy myself a stereo with. I still have my Latino ST-70 AND the $8000 sitting in my room.

The Bottleheads 300b and 2A3s are nice but a tweakers delight. I just wanted to build it and never look under that hook ever again.

 

+1 on the Latino ST70 as described. Magic with the GL 88's, posted on March 4, 2017 at 09:36:42
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3348
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
September 4, 2000
NT

 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 4, 2017 at 13:00:47
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005

I recently purchased a Forte Audio Model 1a. It is 50 watts a channel pure class A power. Something like this would work for your speakers....

 

+1. nt, posted on March 4, 2017 at 19:22:14
Nt

 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 4, 2017 at 20:08:18
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3348
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
September 4, 2000
+1 on these as well as the above. Can't go wrong with any Quicksilver I've heard. The Mid-Monos are superb.

 

I would look at like Audiogon, and click price, then peruse the ones between $1,500 and $2K.. Then read up, posted on March 4, 2017 at 21:39:41
First I would find out what used amps are in my price range.
Then check out a few online which seem interesting.
Then watch the ads for one when ready to buy.
The only thing to watch for is old caps. If the amp is getting over 20 years old.. did it have a cap replacement?

 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 5, 2017 at 06:49:34
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
Ya know what could surprise you is a vintage amp. And then have it professionally rebuilt and restored.

I just had a Marantz 250M totally redone and it's an amazing sounding piece. Like taking the originally design and adding nitro. New low ESR caps, better low noise diodes, new beefier transistors, better relays, etc...

If you think about it amp design didn't radically change in the last 40 or so years, but the material technology did. This route takes advantage of both. And vintage gear tends to have that original big beefy power supply that in the end really makes that stuff special.

 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 5, 2017 at 08:48:07
That would put you in the sweet spot for a recently restored Harman Kardon Citation V or an older restoration of a Citation II. Look for ones done with Jim McShane's kits.
An HH Scott LK150 is another one to look for.

 

+1... or the AA trader ...nt, posted on March 5, 2017 at 10:29:10
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31815
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
January 28, 2004
...
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Now for something completely different., posted on March 7, 2017 at 03:02:06
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
Lots of very sensible tube suggestions, but I notice you are using solid state. Perhaps an esoteric 'chip amp' might suit?

If I owned your wonderful speakers, I'd be curious to listen to a good chip amp on the end of them, such as those made by Clones Audio (like the 25IR). Alternate finished amps are about, such as the Blok made by PTP Audio and others, but are more expensive.

Perhaps a Tripath amp might also play well, like the few remaining of those crafted by Virtue Audio? With their better power supplies, I think you might discover something new and worthwhile.

Other than that, I think an ANK L1 El84 might also be a usefully musically combination, from my experience of EL84s - and it would still be in budget.

Just a few ideas.


Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 7, 2017 at 14:02:35
Bikeryder
Audiophile

Posts: 75
Location: MontrealWest
Joined: March 27, 2006
Thanks for all the suggestions, but at this point want to stay with SS amps. Forgot all about chip amps, will have to look into them.
Cheers

 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 8, 2017 at 13:14:37
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
Maybe a Parasound Halo A23 or 21 depending on power you can do with, or without. Maybe an ATI 2000 series.

Sim is a good amp, just not sure if you can best it in your budget.

 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 9, 2017 at 17:39:53
Joey54
Audiophile

Posts: 132
Location: PA
Joined: September 10, 2002
As you are using a SS Integrated amp currently you might look at the Ayre AX-7e. It's a great amp that you should be able to find in your price range. It has been discontinued by Ayre so used will be your only option.

I agree that you would probably like the Quicksilver amps as well. I think they make some of the best tube amps out there and if you want to try tubes you can't go wrong with any of their amplifiers. You will need a preamp for the Quickies, they do not have an integrated amp. Good Luck!

 

RE: In search of a new amp, posted on March 9, 2017 at 19:41:29
There was a 8W/ch Audionote integrated,that posted to AudioGon today.Might be worth the investigation.

 

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