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Under $1000. used, as analog sounding as possible, 50 watts to 100 watts. Must be solid state and an integrated unit. I'd appreciate any and all recommendations... thanks so much.
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which is an excellent amp for under a grand. Also agree with the other fellow's statement on the Audio Analogue Puccini (an amp favored by Bobby P. for his Merlins).You may also find a used Electrocompaniet ECI-3 integrated for a grand - also a nice amp for the money.
Do you need a remote? How many inputs do you need? Do you need a phono section? What do you mean by analog sounding; Do you mean warm and plumpy, not harsh, or just transparent?On one end of the spectrum I picked up a Forte Model 5 and use a simple Niles passive pre with it. Very warm open and musical. There is no remote and it probably cost me $600 total.
On the other end, I have a Bryston B100 SST which is just damn neutral and seems to have no real characteristics of its own. It as optional phono and dac which are both excellent. This is my favorite option as it's neutral, invisible, highly resolute, and has the remote functionality I need. It has also protected itself when we had brown outs or surges. I found that the preamp section in this box is really what makes it great. Maybe you can find the preamp which is a BP16 SST used? Apparently the outputs are class A as well.
What speakers are you using. If you like the "musical vs. the analytical" sonics then you really might want speakers which have the british sound very analog. If you are simply without an amp old Macs are good. I have cheapest Mac power amp you can buy but it has gain controls. Thus you can use it if you are using only one source.
Otherwise I second the Luxman but not the junk from the 80s and early 90s. Try to get one before or after that time. I really don't think you could get an Accuphase E series integrated in good working condition for under $1,000 but if you can that is a truly wonderful analog sounding. I had to give up my preamp when it dropped a channel and a guy gave me more than I paid for it. I am not the kind of person that asks for a profit but he spontaneously told will I take $xxx?I was clear repeating that it was only one channel but he said I heard you etc.
The ever correct Frihed is right about the Blue Circle it is a very smooth sound much like a pure class A amp, without the digititis however. You will save a ton of money if you withstand the notion of buying a top notch reciever by Luxman for instance, vintage only for instance.
I should tell you that even though I must own 6 or more vintage amps they are often unrepairable consider the risk in making your decision I dropped a top of the line Luxman reciever. No one would even look at it. The exception are the Macs. Mac will fix whatever they ever made. The cost may be a bit high. The big favorite amongst Mac SS buyers is the 2105 which will run less than $1,000 in good shape it yeilds a min of 105 watts. Old Mac SS amps usually bench test a bit higher than they claim. I have 2505 which is about $500-600 now with a mere 50 watts but for some odd reason it has great synergy my Klipsch LaScalas.
At the link below, guy asked question similar to yours - 3 replies with Puccini recommendation. Should be under $1000 used, considering it's $1350 new on A'gon.http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=amp&n=41123&highlight=Puccini&r=&session=
if you can get preowned.Will anyone sell a Naim, I wonder.
try some of these - i think you will be very surprisedpioneer sa9800II
luxman L100, L110, L480
yamaha CA1010, CA1000
great phono sections and plenty of real-world horsepower
A Dussun V-6 or V-8I..Most probably the V-6 will fit your budget and NEW!!..Those 2 integrated amps are , IMHO, the best value in integrated amplifiers thus far. Ive had the pleasure to hear and live with the V-8i for a few months. They will literally blow quite a few pre/power combos out of the water. Very musical, powerfull and very analogue sounding..almost tube like in many ways..AP
# The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men # Jules Winnfield(Ezekiel 25:17)> Pulp Fiction <
The V-8i is truly something VERY special. It's firmly esconced in my second system, and it ain't goin' nowhere! The price-to-performance ratio is absolutely off the charts.
Easy....1. Audio Analogue Puccini SE
2. Sim i3
3. Creek 5350SE
4. Unico P
Plinius. Warmth and smoothness of tubes.BTW - I have a mint condition Plinius 8100 (100watts/ch) SS integrated for sale. I have perfect A'gon feedback for reference. It is complete with manual, remote, spare fuses, and original boxes. I can also supply high res pics if interested.
nt.
I used to own an Accuphase intergrated amp awhile back, and it was one of the better S.S. intergrateds. Pretty good phono section. Lots of options in the preamp circut. But these amps don't work well with 4 ohm and lower speakers.
gary
That's the best I've heard in your used price range.
The price of a new BC CS is around $1500 these days, I think.The other models mentioned are either more expensive fairly recent models or less-expensive 10+ year-old model amps. If you can get a Mac or an Accuphase reconditioned for under $1000, then i would listen to it for sure.
The BC is a very musical amp with a warmish mid-range and nice open and extended highs. Bass is tight enough for its price range. I own one and love it.
The original poster was asking for under $1000 used...
With the HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Shallco volume control option, it's $1815...$1465 without.
I really enjoy it. Good phono stage and an overall nice, warm sound. I think it sounds rather "tubey". It's 45 watts per channel.But I'm sure someone will chime in on what a miserable, worthless P.O.S. it is in about 3... 2... 1.
I have both the 5100 and the MA-6100. They are both good but I like the 5100 a little better. It's just....nice. My favorite of the older Macs.And I did have a Mac tech guy go through it a couple of years ago.
hi soundnut i was reading your post from a few years ago where you just acquired you ma-5100 and had to get it fixed (one channel lower than the other). could you tell me what exactly the problem was. i have the same problem on the very same unit.
cheers
Hi there.If memory serves, I think it was a weak transistor. I can't remember which one. I had him replace them on both sides, though. It was cheap to fix. Around $50. I also had to replace the volume pot awhile back. McIntosh no longer offers the exact part, but the pot from the MA6100 will work with a slight mod, which my tech did for me.
Otherwise, it's been very reliable. Good luck with yours & enjoy!
Cheers,
Bobbo :-)
I have the MA 6100 on my second system in our master bedroom driving the AE-1 monitor speakers. The sound is very much as you had described with great clarity on the top end much better than the vintage Quad 405 power amp and 33 pre amp that it replaces.
I know that's not you on that shiny faceplate!
Nah!....as usual I jacked the image off from 'net.
Nice amp there! Initially, I wanted a 6100, but wound up with a 5100 instead because I lucked into it cheap. Love those old McIntosh pieces.
SS and tube isn't exactly digital vs. analog. Do you want a phono preamp included in the unit?At that price, I think of used MF, Creek, NAD, and my Roksan. I think folks look down on mine. But it's nice for the price ($800 open boxed demo, with full warranty, one went for under $500 on AgoN last year). Or you might go with used Jolida hybrid. If not, get older vintage gear such as Silver faced Pioneer, Yamaha CA-, Marantz or such.
I have the best of worlds with an old McIntosh MA 5100 in a study/exercise storage type room, outside living room in upstairs library suite with tubed/SS vintage and my Roksan in main system, with upgrade when resources become available.
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