low power amp recommendations

RawB8figure · « **on:** 27 Jun 2007, 12:58 am »

Hey,

Looking for suggestions for SS integrated or power amp around 20Wx2. Looking for decent quality around 500$.

Iwas also looking at these to power Silver Iris 15" coax. 96db

http://ca.denon.com/ProductDetails/1967.asp

http://www.us.onkyo.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Audiosys

What you guys think.

JoshK · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 01:13 am »

I'd check out the Cayin 300B integrated based on what I recently heard.

nefertem · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 01:20 am »

i used to have a sansui Au 70 that was very rare with 6BQ5 out put tubes it was so clean that you could turn it up all the way and not hear any distortion i saw one on ebay from hong kong for 450 it was a good match with the early quads

i miss that amp

Audiovista · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 01:28 am »

Take a look at one of NAD models. Very good for the price, and you can use them as a preamp should a vacuum tube bug bit you

bundee1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 01:29 am »

Check out a used Monarchy SM-70 Pro. 25 Watts of sweet class A power. Ive got a pair of monoblocks and they are great but I ran with a single unit for about 3 years with some 89db sensitive speakers and they sounded really good.

JoshK · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 01:35 am »

Quote from: Audiovista on 27 Jun 2007, 01:28 am

Take a look at one of NAD models. Very good for the price, and you can use them as a preamp should a vacuum tube bug bit you

Boris's amps are *very* good as well. I didn't get to hear it side by side with the other amp, but if 8-15 watts is enough and it sounds like it should be given your speakers, then these are great choices.

JoshK · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 01:37 am »

Quote from: nefertem on 27 Jun 2007, 01:20 am

i used to have a sansui Au 70 that was very rare with 6BQ5 out put tubes it was so clean that you could turn it up all the way and not hear any distortion i saw one on ebay from hong kong for 450 it was a good match with the early quads i miss that amp

EL84's rock.

Sansui is usually always a safe choice too...haven't heard that particular one.

SET Man · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 01:56 am »

Quote from: JoshK on 27 Jun 2007, 01:35 am

Quote from: Audiovista on 27 Jun 2007, 01:28 am
Take a look at one of NAD models. Very good for the price, and you can use them as a preamp should a vacuum tube bug bit you
Boris's amps are *very* good as well. I didn't get to hear it side by side with the other amp, but if 8-15 watts is enough and it sounds like it should be given your speakers, then these are great choices.

Hey!

Yes, Audio Vista amps sound pretty good I agreed. I've heard the little PSE 5 watters that Boris bought over to my Mini-Rave. Pretty darn good for the price.

His 15 watt PP EL84 cost more than your budget but I've heard it during NY Rave at topround/Mike's place driving the Green Mountain's Europa. It was very nice.

If your speaker is a ture 96dB with simple xover and relatively flat impedance than even 5-8 watts SET should be able to drive them nicely in small to medium size room.

And 15 watts would be great with more heard room.

Anyway, if you are handy with soldering iron than you might want to hunt down old console amp like Maxnavox PP (EL84 or 6V6) amp.... but I think you will need pre for these

Or if you can an old Scott integ-amp. They do come up on eBay from time to time.

Take care,
Buddy

JLM · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 02:20 am »

Here's one that was mentioned around here some time ago:

http://www.winsome-labs.com/index.htm

If you need more inputs add one of these:

http://decware.com/newsite/mainmenu.htm

A recently reviewed 2 input 60 wpc integrated: http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/power_ts_e.html

And here's the NAD C320BEE: http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/nad_c320bee.htm

How about the Cambridge Audio Azur 340: http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue21/azur340.htm

JoshK, the Cayin 300B looks really nice but sells for 7 times the stated price range!

acresm22 · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 02:38 am »

I'd think a Tripath amp would be right up your alley at that price point and power rating. That Winsome-Labs looks very cool...
Here's another option....a NIB Rega Brio on Agon... http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1187731551

JoshK · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 02:46 am »

Quote from: JLM on 27 Jun 2007, 02:20 am

JoshK, the Cayin 300B looks really nice but sells for 7 times the stated price range!

Your right, I missed his price range.

Read too fast as is my habit. I'd argue its more like 5-6x but still well beyond the stated limit. Still a chinese 300B with similar makeup might work out. I might be intrigued enough to mod one of those for interest only. But that is assuming a budget for mods. Still lots of value is coming from China for tube gear.

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 03:00 am »

What about a used Sophia Electric integrated?

You can get one used for right around the poster's price point?

George

JoshK · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 03:06 am »

Quote from: zybar on 27 Jun 2007, 03:00 am

What about a used Sophia Electric integrated?

You can get one used for right around the poster's price point?

George

Which one? The el84? I heard it at Phil's xmas party I think.

zybar · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 03:08 am »

Quote from: JoshK on 27 Jun 2007, 03:06 am

Quote from: zybar on 27 Jun 2007, 03:00 am
What about a used Sophia Electric integrated?

You can get one used for right around the poster's price point?

George

Which one? The el84? I heard it at Phil's xmas party I think.

I think you can get either the el84 or el34 at this price.

George

JoshK · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 03:11 am »

My preference is for EL84 based on limited data.....I think EL84 is a hard think to design wrong. But that is based on limited data points.

A lot has to do with design, but like I said, EL84 can't be done wrong or at least competently... I still think guys like Boris would likely do a better job than the profit driven chinese oem.

RawB8figure · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 05:07 am »

I have been trying to find someone in north america selling the NAD C315BEE, but no one has it. I would also want to hook up a sub amp too,

nefertem · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 09:25 am »

hi found this sansui on ebay for you it needs some work or if you want a scotts amps there are a lot of places i know in boston that sells themhttp://cgi.ebay.com/Sansui-AU-70-Integrated-Vintage-Amplifier-FLAG-SHIP_W0QQitemZ120135339356QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

JLM · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 10:28 am »

Tube, digital, and vintage amps don't tend to have a separate output for a powered subwoofer. In that case you'd need a sub that allows for "full power" (speaker wire) inputs and "full power" (speaker wire) outputs to the left and right channels.

Warning: several digital amps (specially the small ones) can be fried if connected improperly to a powered sub.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 01:52 pm »

Weren't you asking for a SS amp?

If so, I second the Monarchy SM70 Pro. Very nice sounding amp, great build
quality and you can step up to a second one and have monoblocks if you need
to later...

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Jun 2007, 03:12 pm »

The old HK 330 and 430 receivers (and others from their line back yonder) would fit the bill...with spare change. They were truly dual-mono, nice phono stages (if that matters to you). The Marantz's from the 70/80's looked nice, had neat 'Gyro' radio tuning...but weren't quite the sonic standards of the HK's.

A few of the later HK receivers and integrated amps (forgot the model numbers now) were both dual mono and higher current for controlling those large 15" woofers a bit better.

Lots of ways to go...the AudioSource Amp2 and 3 are used amp bargains...and can be bridged for stupendous wattage still under $500.

Enjoy