[dukecv]

I'm looking to get a used amp to power my paradigm monitor 11 v.6. If I remember correctly I think they were around 95-97db sens, but not sure. A two channel amp should suit my needs for now. Under a $1000. Don't want to catch hell from the wife. I was looking at some mcintosh mc2100's, mc250's and all the other variations they come in, and figured I better see what else is out there first. I was also looking at some used odyssey amps but there sure aren't many which is a good sign. There's several others that I have came across: AVA, sunfire, ati, adcom, digital amp company(cherry). Not really into rotel, nad, or parasound kind of stuff. Would definitely prefer something made in the USA. I like the sound of tube amps but they seem like a lot of maintenance with adjusting bias and what not. One last thing the amp must have is a remote power relay cause my wife needs to be able to turn the power on on the onkyo receiver and everything turns on. Ha. Let me know what you guys think would be a good match.
Thanks

[WireNut]

Here ya go,
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=129542.0

[RDavidson]

I'd recommend the McCormack DNA .5 deluxe. Should be able to get one for $600 or so. I used to own one. Solid, reliable, and versatile amp with warm yet detailed sound. I miss it sometimes. I think it sounds tube-like in many ways, but with much better bass and control than most any tube amp around $1000.

[dukecv]

Good deal. I've always like audio research products. They seem to be the best of the best for quality. Not sure yet what to think about the class t amps. I know they have been out for a while but you sure don't see to many people using them. And the McCormack is a sweet unit but not sure how I'd trigger it on. What was the difference between the regular .5 and the .5 deluxe?

[JLM]

From what I found, your stated speaker efficiency is spot on (quite high).  So if you're not playing in a huge room or at monster volume levels, you don't need anything close to 100 watts per channel.

I've not heard this model, but most Paradigms I've heard come across as honest sounding, even to a fault (lack personality). 

(Opps!!  Modified the rest of my post after realizing what circle I was in.   )

For your speakers in an average sized room most folks would be listening to about 0.01 watts per channel (75 dB) for casual listening, 0.1 watts per channel (85 dB) for serious listening, 1 watt per channel (95 dB) for spirited listening, or 10 watts per channel (105 dB) for peaks (classical/jazz).  Solid state tends to sound best as the volume dial is turned up.

So I'd look for lower wattage amp with character.

[mcgsxr]

I had excellent synergy with my Paradigm Studio 20's and an older B&K ST202.  Loved what the 2 did together.  Used my HT receiver as the pre/pro.

[loving_it]

I'm looking to get a used amp to power my paradigm monitor 11 v.6. If I remember correctly I think they were around 95-97db sens, but not sure. A two channel amp should suit my needs for now. Under a $1000. Don't want to catch hell from the wife. I was looking at some mcintosh mc2100's, mc250's and all the other variations they come in, and figured I better see what else is out there first. I was also looking at some used odyssey amps but there sure aren't many which is a good sign. There's several others that I have came across: AVA, sunfire, ati, adcom, digital amp company(cherry). Not really into rotel, nad, or parasound kind of stuff. Would definitely prefer something made in the USA. I like the sound of tube amps but they seem like a lot of maintenance with adjusting bias and what not. One last thing the amp must have is a remote power relay cause my wife needs to be able to turn the power on on the onkyo receiver and everything turns on. Ha. Let me know what you guys think would be a good match.
Thanks

  I really liked this amp until I went to tubes , I really like my tube amps
maintenance is not bad you don't need to adjust the Bias very often .

http://www.amazon.com/Peachtree-Audio-Peachtree220-Amplifier-Black/dp/B007FFNLZ4

[dukecv]

From what I found, your stated speaker efficiency is spot on (quite high).  So if you're not playing in a huge room or at monster volume levels, you don't need anything close to 100 watts per channel.

I've not heard this model, but most Paradigms I've heard come across as honest sounding, even to a fault (lack personality).  So I'd recommend searching audiogon for a nice juicy little tube amp with some warmth (20 watts per channel would be plenty, in fact you should be able to live very well with a 2A3 or 300B SET).

Note that typically tube amps are at their best at low power and solid state are at their best at high power.  Also note that tubes handle peaks better than almost any solid state amps.  For your speakers in an average sized room most folks would be listening to about 0.01 watts per channel (75 dB) for casual listening, 0.1 watts per channel (85 dB) for serious listening, 1 watt per channel (95 dB) for spirited listening, or 10 watts per channel (105 dB) for peaks (classical/jazz).  I'm an old fart, but use 20 watts per channel of tubes or 100 watts per channel of solid state with 90 dB/w/m speakers and have no issues with having enough power (have never turned either up all the way).

Would definitely love a smaller tube amp that auto biases. I don't really know a whole lot about tubes but the paradigms are kinda bright with their metal tweets. At least it sounds this way to me, so I was thinking in the back of my head how a tube amp would warm up the sound correctly. What brand of amps did you have in mind if any?
Thanks so much

[RDavidson]

Good deal. I've always like audio research products. They seem to be the best of the best for quality. Not sure yet what to think about the class t amps. I know they have been out for a while but you sure don't see to many people using them. And the McCormack is a sweet unit but not sure how I'd trigger it on. What was the difference between the regular .5 and the .5 deluxe?

There's a few ways to trigger any amp on, but in this case (amp without built-in trigger) you'd need to buy an AC trigger module, which can be easily found on Amazon.
The deluxe has some upgraded parts over the standard .5 and is worth paying the slight extra for. It's sound quality is also a bit better. A standard .5 can be upgraded to deluxe easily. They're the same base amplifier. Do some reading on it. Tons of info on the McCormack on the net.

[rollo]

   Believe it or not NAD has a wonderful synergy with Paradigms. Do not disregard because it is not so called "audiophile" gear. Synergy is key not name.


charles

[WireNut]

dukecv,

 I’ve owned both the Mccormack 0.5 and the Aragon 4004 mk1.
My Audio Research 150.2 amp that’s for sale beats both of the above amps.
The Aragon sounds dull in comparison to the ARC 150.2 and the Mccormack 0.5 lacks the bass authority of the 150.2 amp.
The ARC 150.2 also has an on/off trigger.

[dukecv]

dukecv,

 I’ve owned both the Mccormack 0.5 and the Aragon 4004 mk1.
My Audio Research 150.2 amp that’s for sale beats both of the above amps.
The Aragon sounds dull in comparison to the ARC 150.2 and the Mccormack 0.5 lacks the bass authority of the 150.2 amp.
The ARC 150.2 also has an on/off trigger.

Why are you selling the 150.2?

[I.Greyhound Fan]

If your speakers are that efficient I would take a look as some of the cheap Tripath amps, you might be surprised by the sound.  I have a pair of $700 Monitor Audio S1's that are rated at 88-89dB and drive them with a cheap Dayton Audio digital amp with a very good source and I get almost as much enjoyment out of it as I do from my main system which is a Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp and Magnepan 1.6 speakers.  Every time I listen to it a get a smile on my face and think why did I spend all that money on my main system.

The little digital amp is dynamic with deep, punchy bass, great air and a wide sound stage.  It has some nice warmth with my tube DAC.   I am not suggesting you use a Dayton DTA100a but give consideration to a Topping or a 3116, you may save a bundle and love the sound.

I agree with you that the Paradigms can be a little bright and that you need a warmer sounding amp and preamp.

You may want to consider a monarchy hybrid tube amp or a used AVA Synergy 240 amp.  Both are warm sounding.  This Monarchy SS amp may be the ticket too-

http://www.monarchyaudio.com/SM70_Main_frame.htm

A used Belles Hot Rod 150A will also be a warmer sounding amp.
Also give consideration to a Peach Tree amp

[WireNut]

Why are you selling the 150.2?

Got laid off from work and need the cash right now, over wise I'd never let it go.

 

[dukecv]

Got laid off from work and need the cash right now, over wise I'd never let it go.

Are u by chance an electrician?

[WireNut]

Are u by chance an electrician?

No I'm a CNC machinist. I start a new job in about a week but I'm behind on my mortgage right now.

[dukecv]

No I'm a CNC machinist. I start a new job in about a week but I'm behind on my mortgage right now.

Would love to buy your 150.2, but there's no way I can do 1100.

[dukecv]

If your speakers are that efficient I would take a look as some of the cheap Tripath amps, you might be surprised by the sound.  I have a pair of $700 Monitor Audio S1's that are rated at 88-89dB and drive them with a cheap Dayton Audio digital amp with a very good source and I get almost as much enjoyment out of it as I do from my main system which is a Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp and Magnepan 1.6 speakers.  Every time I listen to it a get a smile on my face and think why did I spend all that money on my main system.

The little digital amp is dynamic with deep, punchy bass, great air and a wide sound stage.  It has some nice warmth with my tube DAC.   I am not suggesting you use a Dayton DTA100a but give consideration to a Topping or a 3116, you may save a bundle and love the sound.

I agree with you that the Paradigms can be a little bright and that you need a warmer sounding amp and preamp.

You may want to consider a monarchy hybrid tube amp or a used AVA Synergy 240 amp.  Both are warm sounding.  This Monarchy SS amp may be the ticket too-

http://www.monarchyaudio.com/SM70_Main_frame.htm

A used Belles Hot Rod 150A will also be a warmer sounding amp.
Also give consideration to a Peach Tree amp

The monarchy audio stuff is nice looking equipment and may very well be good performers, but then I dug a little deeper on their site and found that they are pretty much going out of business cause the head honcho is retiring. Doesn't exactly make me want to order an amp. Lol. As for the class t amps, I have zero experience with them but somehow get the feeling they'll do their job good but might not help the speakers being to bright the way it is. I get the feeling that they are missing the horsepower needed to provide deep bass and a soundstage that actually has some soul to it. Then again, I might be wrong. I think a tube or tube hybrid would be nice to audition, but that's kinda hard to do in the middle of North Dakota. Lol. I feel like a ss amp will be a safer bet, not that other options won't work. The van alstine might just be what I need.

[WireNut]

Would love to buy your 150.2, but there's no way I can do 1100.

Make me an offer. Its a great amp, you'll like it better than a DNA 0.5. The bass response is better than anything I've used in 30 years. Highs are smooth and sweet.
You can check my feedback on Audiogon under sjcinci
PM me if interested.

Thanks,
Steve
 

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Dukecv, you are wrong about the little T amps.  They tend to put out deep powerful bass.  My DTA100a is 30wpc usable power and my Monitor Audio S1's have a sensitivity of 88 or 89 dB and the bass has a lot of punch and power behind it.  If your Paradigms are rated at 97dB, they will play loud with just 5 wpc.

That ARC amp Wirenut is trying to sell you is a good deal.