[maty]

https://www.google.com/search?q=audiosciencereview.com+ljm+l12-2+maty

-> https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/chinese-jl-hood-1969-class-a-amplifier-off-aliexpress.3372/post-269888

by bunkmail, today

-> https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/icepower-125asx2-class-d-amplifier-review.10442/post-287842

Agreed, it's horrendous. You can get far better performance at ~$200, for example LJM L12-2 power amp, 120W @ 8 ohm, 200W @ 4 ohm (THD 0.0005% 1kHz at 10W). I own a unit and it sounded absolutely glorious with my Wharfedale EVO 4.2 speakers (I'm totally not biased btw).

Wharfedale EV= 4.2

https://www.wharfedale.co.uk/evo4-2/

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/neutral-bookshelf-speakers-2000.9546/post-264214

[JLM]

Bought a factory refurbished Harmon Kardon receiver years ago, loved the sound and the price.

[ketcham]

estate sales are wonderful resources.  McIntosh for the cheap.  Other excellent brands.  More vintage the better.

[reillyzing]

Thoughts on the NuForce STA200 with JBL 530?
https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1NUSTA200

[Charles Calkins]

   
     I bought a Rockville RPA9 amp on Amazon. $159.99. I'm using it in a patio system.
     Works fine. You might give this amp a look on Amazon.

                                                       Cheers
                                                       Charlie

[pinkfloyd4ever]

There's usually even more good used stuff in your price range on US Audio Mart, and to a lesser extent, eBay and audiogon, if your budget is now up to $500. NAD and Adcom offer great bang for the buck for used gear in the $300-500 range.

We're upon one of the best times of the year to get nice used stereo gear.  Many people who get new equipment for Christmas will be selling off their old gear on the secondary markets in the next few weeks. Make it a habit to check USAM (assuming you're in the US), as well as ebay and your local CL and FB Marketplace on a daily basis. Also set up some HiFi shark alerts if you find some specific model numbers you want to look for. Good luck!

[witchdoctor]

What amp did you eventually get?

[reillyzing]

What amp did you eventually get?

Still nothing. I did a lot of reading about older amps from Carver, Adcom, etc., but am hesitant to buy due to the possibility that repairs will be necessary.. What are the chances a 25-30 year old amp is still functioning as it should? And as a novice, I wouldn't know what to look for in terms of failing parts.

[witchdoctor]

Paralysis through analysis 

[witchdoctor]

Check out the Klipsch Powergate thread here on Audiocircle:

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=162664.0

[Mr Rick]

Why not try something from Emotiva like the A-100, or A-150. Both are available on Amazon, and are within your budget.

[reillyzing]

I bought a used NuForce STA200. I probably have less than forty hours on the JBL's. My impression so far is they're a fairly decent match. Of course, as I mentioned already, my experience with speaker systems is very limited. The only comparison I can make is with AudioEngine A5+ active speakers, which have a pleasant, unfatiguing sound, but the JBL's are more resolving and have much, much nicer bass.

My only complaint is, the higher frequencies could use some taming at times when listening to certain rock albums.. I'm also running my setup out of a desktop pc for the time being, which I know isn't ideal.

Edit: Sounding better after switching from Foobar to HQPlayer.

[maty]

I bought a used NuForce STA200. I probably have less than forty hours on the JBL's. My impression so far is they're a fairly decent match...

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-nuforce-sta-200-power-amp.5039/

[reillyzing]

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-nuforce-sta-200-power-amp.5039/

Yes, I knew about that before buying.

[witchdoctor]

I bought a used NuForce STA200. I probably have less than forty hours on the JBL's. My impression so far is they're a fairly decent match. Of course, as I mentioned already, my experience with speaker systems is very limited. The only comparison I can make is with AudioEngine A5+ active speakers, which have a pleasant, unfatiguing sound, but the JBL's are more resolving and have much, much nicer bass.

My only complaint is, the higher frequencies could use some taming at times when listening to certain rock albums.. I'm also running my setup out of a desktop pc for the time being, which I know isn't ideal.

Edit: Sounding better after switching from Foobar to HQPlayer.

Congratulations! My JBL 230's sounded better placed on Isocoustic stands:

[witchdoctor]

As for sounding bright try turning them upside down so the tweeter is on the bottom and compare.

[reillyzing]

Congratulations! My JBL 230's sounded better placed on Isocoustic stands:

Thanks, I use a pair of Auralex Mopads that are about ten years old now.

[grubyhalo]

Here's my recommendation:

https://www.allo.com/sparky/volt-plus-d-amp.html

I use one with a Nuprime DAC-9 driving an 86db bookshelf monitor and it sounds fantastic. I used this cable when I first bought the amp and thought the system sounded pretty good: https://www.parts-express.com/audtek-electronics-skrl-12-50-12-awg-ofc-speaker-wire-50-ft--100-024

Then I got this one and the sound quality went up appreciably:

https://www.parts-express.com/mogami-w3103-superflexible-high-definition-2-x-12-awg-speaker-cable-1-ft--103-1023

Just my 0.02, YMMV...