Best amp for the money?

Merle · « **on:** 14 Sep 2006, 12:51 pm »

Looking for either an integrated or separate preamp / power amp to drive Paradigm Studio 60v3's in a fairly large room. Main source is turntable but also play quite a few cd's and listen to the tuner. Classical, acoustic, jazz, you name it, I listen to it. With a budget of <$3000, what would YOU buy for long term satisfaction?

JoshK · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 01:27 pm »

Well these are impossible questions to answer if you ask me. Its going to be different for each person, each speaker/room/system combo, etc. Are your speakers here to stay for a while?

If it were my money with your speakers, amps that would make the list of consideration:
Blue Circle's offering in your price group
AVA 500
Jungson JA100
Usher R1.5
Butler 2150
UcD based amps (channel island, et al) if you like the sound (some love it, some don't).
Dodd monoblocks

It also matters whether you cherish soundstage, imaging, presence, prat, forward or laid back presentation, etc, etc.

TF1216 · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 01:39 pm »

Would people consider adding the JVC RS-F10 or the JVC RX-ES1SL to the list?

I apologize if I do not have the model numbers correct.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 01:44 pm »

My game of audio roulette/amp-o-rama ended when a stereo Odyssey Khartago entered....which led to Khartago Extremes for about $1600.00.

If it makes ya' feel and better if you have money burning in your pockets...if they were dealer sold, they woulda' been $3G's

As it is, you have money left over for a nice tube preamp to mate with it.

They drive Maggie MMG's in a 12 x 15 x 8-12' room to levels louder than I care to imagine. Super hi current output controls things well. The only amp I can compare it too sonically was a YBA unit that retailed for $4G's or so. It's that good.

I'll never know when my anxiety will kick up again...but for the past 5 months turning them on each day brings my nothing but pleasure. I fantasize about cheating on them with vintage Dukane monoblocks that need servicing...but I have little will to spend the money or time to do so right now. THAT'S saying a whole bunch right there.

Good luck in your personal exit from audio hell - I've been there, bud

WEEZ · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 02:01 pm »

Didn't you just order a T8/240ex combo from Frank?

WEEZ?

Thebiker · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 02:09 pm »

Just so you can hear from an integrated tube head........
The Manley Stingray will drive those Paradigms with no trouble to any reasonable volume short of absolute head banging for >$2500. You would need to add a phono preamp. Quality build with an interesting look.

Then for @$3k there is the Cary SLI-80. Once again a great build, point to point wiring. You would also need a phono pre-amp with this one.

Both pieces have a different sound but both are well built. The Cary does have a remote volume which the Manley lacks. Also important (at least to me) both these pieces are designed and built in the US.

Carlman · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 02:15 pm »

I've been pretty impressed with McIntosh gear lately. The MA-6300 has a phono input and plenty of power for your situation. I would definitely consider Mac gear a 'long-term' solution.

-C

Merle · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 02:21 pm »

I cancelled my Van Alstine order. After much consideration, I don't think it's the combination I'm looking for. I've owned AVA gear in the past and believe it to be very good. I've actually been toying with the idea of PrimaLuna or maybe Cayin gear. Seems to be VERY well built and I am partial to tube gear.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 03:44 pm »

That's a question with a different answer for everyone who asks. Here are some options in that price range which might be the right answer for somebody.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1162832124
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1163080306
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1163429525
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1162995283
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1163379945
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1162664264
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1162508676

There are lots more where those came from. I believe the best value in amplifiers, particularly stereo amps and integrateds, is on the used market.

ton1313 · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 04:04 pm »

Nuforce IA-7 Integrated 50 wpc. $1200 MSRP. I love mine! Excellent control of the speakers, great musical depth & tight imaging.

weirdo · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 05:04 pm »

In the solid state area, I can recommend the Van Alstine products. Billet-like quality, hand wired in the good old US and reasonably priced. they can handle any speaker loads and the product is smooth and sonically articulate. you can get amp/pre in the 100 W range for under your budget and near your budget with their tube gear.

avahifi · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 10:36 pm »

Hey Merle, make up your mind. You told me "Hi Frank,
I hate to do this but I want to cancel my order for the T8 preamp and the 240EH power amp. Truth of the matter is I really like my tubed integrated and frankly, I just can't see any reason to replace it. I hope you understand and I appoligize for the inconveniance. Please let me know that you have receive this e-mail."

Still looking I see.

What of our equipment have you owned in the past? I have no previous record of you in my customer data base going back many years now.

Order cancelled of course, no hard feelings, we know we cannot please everyone.

Frank Van Alstine

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 10:44 pm »

Still searching Merle....you've been through alot of equipement.....

I did have a PrimaLuna here once....a loan from Hogg/Jim...was a nice integrated....good sound and build.

Quote

...and I am partial to tube gear

Then I'd suggest a non-tube to try....check out NAIM. This maybe a good match for the music you like...."Classical, acoustic, jazz, you name it, I listen to it."
Quiet a few Raver's own NAIM....I liked what I heard. Good luck....

warnerwh · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Sep 2006, 11:33 pm »

The order you cancelled from Frank sounds like the best idea possible. I know for a fact that this Fetvalve 550 I'm using is a much better amp than anything near it's price and more than likely double or more than it's price. Two other people who auditioned this amp in Washington described it the same way, both AC members btw.

In my opinion though I'd never spend 3k on an amp and pre to combine with 1,500 dollar speakers. I'd buy better speakers. Then I'd get a decent pre and a Rotel amp until I could afford better. The Rotel and Parasound amps are very good for the money and will perform very well. However Frank's 40 years of design experience paid off for him. I wished I'd tried his amp a long time ago. Like Tyson, who also has Vmps RM 40's, I will keep it. It's definitely not worth messing around in that arena.

Please don't take my opinion personally. I've owned Paradigms for rears and have recommended them to friends for their systems as they wanted to buy locally. For 3 grand you can have a better pair of speakers and as we all know that will have alot more of an effect on the sound quality than an amp and preamp. Also if you haven't already please consider room treatments. Excellent return on your money improving room acoustics. Easily the best tweak there is by a large margin.

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Sep 2006, 12:00 am »

I would say one of the best amps for the money would be the Jolida JD801A tube integrated. 70 watts with the 6550/KT88. Another amp, this one in the tube/MOSFET hybrid camp is the Smart Devices 2X150VT at 150 watts. Both of these amps offer great performance, and real value. They're both less expensive than most of the amps mentioned in this thread. The Jolida just under $1500, and the Smart at -$1600.

http://www.smartdev.com/2x150vt.html

http://www.jolida.com/catalogue/models/jd801a.shtml

If you must spend all or more than $3000 on an amp, take a look at some of the VAC equipment on Agon. 70 watts with 8 300B tubes=pure audio bliss.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1162883926

JLM · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Sep 2006, 01:52 am »

Agree with warnerwh...

Perhaps a great pair of $1500 two-way standmounts with a sub would warrant a $3000 amp, but not the Paradigms. Paradigms are audiophile entry level IMO. Many small two-ways are quite inefficient, so a bigger (more expensive) amp would be needed, but again that's not a description of the Paradigms.

Rotel IMO is also entry level audiophile (and Jolida for that matter). My Rotel receiver is a plow horse compared to the Clari-T or Channel Island Audio (the older chip amp) thoroughbred amps I've owned.

Agree with The Chair Guy...

The Kharatago would be sweet (stock if you're not looking to upgrade your entire system).

Another option would be older, less in the current fad, amps that just a couple of years ago were all the rage, like the Unison Unico (80 wpc integrated with tube pre/solid state power amp and remote volume control, available used on Agon for around $900) or the Unison Unico P (50 wpc version for $1200 new).

G Georgopoulos · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 Sep 2006, 01:53 am »

Hi Melrle

choose an amp that sounds great, one that has high dynamics,one that instantly
disticts itself from the mainstream,the amp link bellow is for an amp of 10w pure class-a
solid state ,i know is a small amp when it come to power output but if sonics is what youre looking for you wont be dissappointed

http://members.dodo.com.au/g3000/

priced around $500 us, it is a super value for money

cheers
George

bpape · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Sep 2006, 02:02 am »

Guess it depends on your preference. Personally, I look for bipolar (not MOSFET) output devices, very quick slew rate, good broadband damping factor, and a large storage capacity.

Every amp I've heard that met those criteria, I was very very happy with. Some will disagree with the non-mosfet thing -but I personally don't like them. Kind of misty, veiled, no 'balls' in the bottom end, etc. I'm sure there are exceptions, I just haven't heard them, and I've heard a lot of amps over the years.

Just my 2 cents. YMMV

Bryan

rockadanny · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Sep 2006, 11:44 pm »

I love the fast, deep, extended, full, sound of my combo: AVA Ultra 550 with Mapletree 2A SE (octal tube with separate power supply). Both new would come in unber budget, and over satisfaction.

bunky · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Sep 2006, 06:21 pm »

Quote from: Merle on 14 Sep 2006, 12:51 pm

Looking for either an integrated or separate preamp / power amp to drive Paradigm Studio 60v3's in a fairly large room. Main source is turntable but also play quite a few cd's and listen to the tuner. Classical, acoustic, jazz, you name it, I listen to it. With a budget of <$3000, what would YOU buy for long term satisfaction?

Hey Merle, i think the Khartago monos would sound splendid with your studio 60v3's. they easily powered my studio 100v3's to reference levels and were as smooth as silk. the studio paradigms thrive on high current which the Khartago monos deliver in abundance. you could buy a pair of Khartago monoblocks and the new Candela tube linestage and still have money left over to buy a Phono preamp with the remainder of your budget.thanks....WCW III