[mcgsxr]

In my quest to surf the curve of the low end of used audio, I am now on the hunt for an amp.

I currently use PC front end, Pioneer AVR and Paradigm Reference Studion 20's.  When I use the Pioneer in Pure Direct mode, the 2 channel listening is good, but I have to wonder if an outboard amp would not do better.

Budget - $200-$250 tops.
WPC - I'd like to see 100wpc or more
Fan noise not relevant - I have a dedicated media closet separate from the listening area
Preference for local, since shipping a heavy amp would use up 25% of the skimpy budget

Found a few Yamaha pro amps locally (P2100, P2150, P2250) and a first generation Bryston 3B all within the budget on CL.

I know that they are older, and may eventually need recapping etc.

Anyone played around with a pro amp for their main 2 channel setup?

[Nick77]

So you would use the AVR pre outs? I doubt a pro amp would better the SQ of your AVR.

But something like this would do the ticket for a couple bucks more.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=121457.0

[mcgsxr]

I would seek to use the pre outs on my Pioneer, correct.

I could save up for a better amp, that is also an option.  I have heard good things about those particular amps, and have much experience in the past with digital amps.

I might try one of the pro amps just for kicks, they hold their value so the experiment would not cost me much.  I used Yorkville amps during my working in the bar days, and my first ever stereo amp was a Yamaha back in the 80's. 

[TomS]

I've used an ART SLA-2 as my backup and test bench amp for a few years. Stable, decent sound, and cheap on CL when they come up.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SLA2

[Nick77]

I have a Behringer you could try, but alas your north of the border.

[MaxCast]

Here's another
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=121387.0

[WireNut]

mcgsxr,

Try doing a search on CL for Adcom and see what comes up. A 555 amp would be nice.....

[dflee]

I have a Nakamichi RE2 in a second system and replaced the bridge pins (steel) with a
couple of bridge connections (Cardas I think) and it improved the sound significantly. I
am able to turn the volume up higher without starting to distort out. It is a cheap tweek
and may improve your set up.

Don

[mcgsxr]

Max I like that B&K, but shipping to Canada would likely kill it for budget.  Best I could do would be to ship it to Buffalo to a place and then drive there to pick it up.

My Pioneer is a VSX-1018AH-K, so a full 7.1 surround piece.  I am using only 5.1 with it though, and looking to use the pre outs for the main L and R with the proposed amp.

We will see what comes up in the local classifieds over a month or so, and I will pounce on the right deal.  That is how I found the Paradigms I am using.

The only local Adcom is a 535 a guy wants $250 for!

[Ericus Rex]

Check out Hafler.  The model I used to own was 125 watt/channel.  You  might be able to find one in your price range.  Can't exactly remember the model though. sorry.

[jarcher]

I had a similar curiosity and bought two pro amps in your budget, then wrote up the experience here on AC :

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=109617.0

Comments from others on AC on that topic could be useful to you as well.

Bottom line : I think I'd try to find a used parasound amp in your price range. Lots of guts but still listenable.

Pro amps can be useful for subwoofers - or maybe even for concert use outside - but otherwise are likely to be too bright / rough for audiophile home use. That my conclusion - but I've not heard all the pro amp options.

[mcgsxr]

Valid perspective, and appreciate the input.  I like the associated gear you used, and I like that you shared.

I have had pro amps in the past for subs I built, but never once tried them for the mains.  I currently use a 500w plate amp for my DIY HT sub, but that will eventually fail, so perhaps I can experiment with picking up a cheap amp now, and either flip it, or put it on the shelf as a backup for the subs.

There is just a mystique about Yamaha power amps for me - my first amp was a Yamaha, and I used big Yammies when I was a DJ in College.

We'll see how the misty vision of the past lives up to the cold hard reality of the present! 

[WGH]

Not familiar with pro amps but for something on the cheap look for an older NAD receiver, the tuner usually gets noisy first and the pre-amp section, not anything you would want to keep anyway, wears out too but the amp section is terrific. I use my really old 7155's amp section for center channel duty and am surprised on how well it does driving two JBL 2500 speakers.

Although rated for only 55 W/ch, the NAD 7155 has +3dB dynamic headroom for 110 W/ch for peaks. The high-current output stage is able to deliver peak currents up to 40A into 2 ohms and it has a bridge switch to turn it into a 150W mono amp.

Wayne   

[Ericus Rex]

Check out Hafler.  The model I used to own was 125 watt/channel.  You  might be able to find one in your price range.  Can't exactly remember the model though. sorry.

OK.  Did some searching.  I used to own the XL-280.  But I think the DH-200 is probably just as good.  Both can be found for under $200.

[mcgsxr]

There are sometimes Hafler DH200's around, and if there was I would take a poke at one.  They tend to hold their value no problem, so a try and flip would work.

I found a Yamaha P2100 last night and am meeting up today. 

If it does not do it for me, I am confident I can flip it locally for the $120 I am investing in it.

85wpc, no fan, a robust road worthy piece.  We will see what it sounds like.

[Nick77]

That old Yamy seems to have a following, you just might be on to something. Good luck, keep us posted.

The one thing i took away from jarcher's thread was when he used a good power cord the amp responded accordingly. Ive noticed that with the Behringer i have for sub duty. Using a good 12awg PC improved the quality of bass quite a bit.

[mcgsxr]

I have the amp in the rack, and let it run overnight playing music at low levels.  I will do some critical listening over the weekend.

Early stage reaction is that it does nothing better than my Pioneer.  Not sure it does anything worse either.

Worst case I flip it, or use it to take load off the AVR by putting the rear channels or center through it.

[Bob in St. Louis]

The only local Adcom is a 535 a guy wants $250 for!

I'm using a borrowed 535 and feel it's a great unit. Might be a bit steep at $250 though.

[mcgsxr]

I've had the chance to let the amp run 24/7 for days, and have spent time listening.

Frankly, I think it does nothing wrong, but in my system it does not add anything special either.

So, given I was shopping for musical improvement (whatever that sounds like) at a price, I think it has failed.  Not that it does not make music, and is the equal of my Pioneer.

So, listed locally for what I paid.  I am sure someone will find it interesting, or worst case I will connect it to the rears of my AVR, and relieve it of 2 channels so it can focus on the front 3.

Appreciate the advice guys, some people just cannot be helped!   

[Nick77]

I will add that i switched from my AVR to the amp linked above (SDS254) and it was a night/day experience. Good luck with your journey.