AMHERST AUDIO P-2000 PREAMP AND A-2000 AMP
I have other things I would like to get, so make me an offer on these. The worst thing that can happen is I say no (and, unless the offer is insulting, I will be nice about it).
I have one amp/preamp set left. My asking price is $599.
I will sell the preamp separately from the amp, but not
vice versa until the preamp sells.
If you have never heard of Amherst Audio, you are not alone. I don't have the full story, but here is what I have been able to put together.
In the early-mid 1990's, Steve Keiser (of B&K fame, now associated with Luminance Audio) designed an amp and preamp for a third party which ultimately became Amherst Audio (Amherst referring to Amherst (NY) which is near Buffalo). The concept was high-end performance on a moderate budget (+/- $1000 components).
A first run of amps and preamps was fabricated (+/- 50 of each), and the decision was made to discontinue because the manufacturing cost was simply too high to achieve the price goals.
The outward appearance of the compoents is very plain, but the construction is far from mundane. For example, the amp has a huge toroidal transformer, and the amp and preamp have gold plated jacks and appear to use very high quality parts. Other reported info (from The Audio Circuit) on the amp includes:
"Top Quality Hitachi Complementary Lateral Mosfet Output Stages, 4 L-MOSFETS per channel. High Quality Gold Input & Output jacks. All steel chassis with Alum anodized heat sinks DC coupled Circuitry with DC servo offset nulling. Adjustable output stage DC bias (300 mA factory setting). Adjustable input offset stage for ouput DC offset nulling. Input power spec. = 115 VAC, 50-60 Hz only."
The TAC description seems to indicate that the internals of the A-2000 are similar to that of the much more expensive Luminance KST-150. While there may be some general similar trends in the internal boards and layout (both being engineered by Steve Keiser), I do not believe it is valid to compare the two amps on that basis.
Output specifications of the amp appear to be 135 watts/ch @ 8 ohms, and 225 watts/ch @ 4 ohms. Weight of the amp is a little over 30 pounds (a lot of which is the toroidal transformer).
The preamp is basic, but does have a phono stage as well as 4 line level inputs, a tape monitor, a bypass and two outputs.
All are in nice (but clearly not perfect) shape physically, but do show signs of being early production models, for example, there are some small finish imperfections. The preamp is about a "7", and the amp is "7" or better, on the Audiogon grading scale (I am conservative with my ratings - most would classify as higher).
These apparently sat unused for several years, so I brought them all up slowly on a variac, then ran them for at least 8 hours each. The amps ran smoothly and did not get excessively warm, and the preamp controls were very quiet (I did not check the phono stage). They appear, therefore, to be functionally excellent.
Sound out of the components is very pleasant and non-fatiguing. The amps are not as nice as my Atma-Sphere M60s (but what is), but definitely an excellent value at this price point.
I can provide additional pictures or info on request.
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONSPlease note that these units are being sold 'AS IS'; however, I will guarantee against DOA. In such event, I will refund the purchase price upon return of the component to me (in the same condition as shipped).
Money order/cashiers check/personal check preferred but, except for US Postal Money Orders, all must clear my bank first. I also accept Paypal for convenience (add 3% to the total for US payments, and 4% for all others).
Trade value will be considered. I don't have any specific needs, but possibly something will catch my interest. Some potential interests include SACD/DVD-A discs, and vintage 6550 and EL34/6CA7 vacuum tubes. About the only things I really cannot use are tuners and CD/DVD players (although I might consider a dedicated SACD player). In any event, don't hesitate to bring something to my attention.
I am willing to ship globally but, outside of the USA more stringent payment and shipping conditions apply. In any case, the buyer is responsible for all shipping charges. Each unit will be packed individually and securely. In the USA, I would prefer to ship via FedEx Ground.
Please check my feedback on Audiogon, Videogon and Ebay (ID=baileyler) and buy with confidence.
