[jono2channel]

Hi all,

   I have just finished a big speaker upgrade. I celebrated my diy success with a rotel RC-1082. I really like my pre-amp, and now I am thinking about moving on to the amp section. I currently have a rotel RB-1070, and with the big 3-way speakers that I have, I can't help but think that a bit more juice would really control the 10inch scanspeak woofers a bit better.  The guys at my stereo shop say that the rotel 1080 and the new 1092 are not the way to go. I am wondering if there is some Audio circle suggestions that would get me more "bang for buck". If there is not something around here that fits the bill, I know that all of the experience represented here will generate some quality suggestions.

[ted_b]

A great deal on an incredible, musical, powerful amp.  I know...I own one.

IMO, it's as good as you'll find for $3695 (it's been on for more than a few days; seller may accept less)
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1207429142

[Tweaker]

Lot's of awesome amps in your price range. McCormack's solid state amps have always been highly regarded:
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73867

[ted_b]

Lot's of awesome amps in your price range. McCormack's solid state amps have always been highly regarded:
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73867

Agreed.  That's why, above, I pointed him at the much more powerful DNA-500 that's still in his budget, assuming decent condition on A-gon.  In either case, if a packet of money falls on you later and you can have Steve mod it to the next incredible level.

[Tweaker]

Lot's of awesome amps in your price range. McCormack's solid state amps have always been highly regarded:
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73867

Agreed.  That's why, above, I pointed him at the much more powerful DNA-500 that's still in his budget, assuming decent condition on A-gon.  In either case, if a packet of money falls on you later and you can have Steve mod it to the next incredible level.

That's a hell of a deal on the DNA-500. Here's a link to McCormack's site for mods, and a review of the DNA-500:
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/mccormack/dna500.html
http://www.smcaudio.com/

[ecramer]

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1208815904

Here's one that also falls in the price range and gets a lot of respect.

[saisunil]

TRL ST 225 Transistor Research Labs tuberesearchlabs.com is sold $4000 direct. Considered by many as one of the best amps. I have one.

Good Luck

[mclsound]

try a Bryston 14BSST....600 watts/ch,they are a great amp with a 20 year warranty.

[2gumby2]

I recommend the Audio by Van Alstine amps. I own three of the Ultra series amps and couldn't be happier. All of the AVA amps fall into your price range new.  www.avahifi.com

I expect the Zus Audio amps to be excellent products when they are released later this year. The principle designer is G. Randy Sloane and he's designed some outstanding products in the past. The web address is   www.zusaudio.com

[bunky]

The Belles reference 350 or a pair of Odyssey mono extreme SE's should fit the bill nicely

[martyo]

The AVA Ultra.(It's a hybrid, not strictly a solid state). Listen if you can, the price is very deceiving. There is also a SS line available. In addition is their VERY musical presentation, they are well known for their dynamics and low end sock and definition.

[Wind Chaser]

Best?  Thus far these would easily rank among the best...

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1208806540

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1208708903

[Charles Calkins]

CIA D-200's. Not $3500. More like $2400 for a pair.

                                  Cheers
                                  Charlie

[doug s.]

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1207855556


electrocompaniet rules!!!  for solid-state, that is...   

doug s.

[Big Red Machine]

Please buy that McCormack DNA500 on Agon so I stop drooling over it!!

[Audio-den]

If you can listen to Usher 1.5 it is a very good SS amp for the money  enjoy  Al

[Big Red Machine]

If you can listen to Usher 1.5 it is a very good SS amp for the money  enjoy  Al

A very good choice in amplifiers.

[jono2channel]

I really didn't realize that my options were so vast. (I make myself sound like an idiot.) I am very interested in the Odyssey amps, but what I had thought was that my next move was from my 180ish watts 1070 (4 ohm speaker load) into something... well let's say "huge". Can some speak from experience as to what those mono blocks will do into 4 ohms? Do they "double down"? Sound quality into 4 ohm speaker? This has been very helpful so far. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.

[James Romeyn]

Power is a largely misleading gauge of actual SPL in use.  My Plinius SA50 plays as loud as another good 200W amp that has $500 of upgrades.  Another 150W amp played louder than the 200W.

Short list:
Clayton 50W class-A $4k S40
Pass Labs 30W class-A $5k XA30.5, allegedly underated power
Plinius (New Zealand) 50W class-A $3500 (new) SA50 Mk III ’00-approximately '03 (also Mk I & II)
Primare 250W $4500 A32 if greater power required

old Levinson 27.5 superb, estimated low $2k but will soon need $1k-$2k in service if not already performed (electrolytic lifespan 15-20 years). 

Electrocompaniet excellent performance but bad resale & no continuous reliable US representation/service. 

[James Romeyn]

TRL ST 225 Transistor Research Labs tuberesearchlabs.com is sold $4000 direct. Considered by many as one of the best amps. I have one.

Good Luck

Wow!  Lucky you.  The TRL modded Sony CDP is among the best.  At least one owner of the $19k darTZeel amp (an uber-refined version of the Plinius recommended above, both from NZ) preferred your TRL over his dz; high praise considering the dz's elite status. 

I'd get the TRL if I didn't have a speaker that mates perfectly to the Atma-Sphere S-30 Mk 3 OTL.  It would still be a great treat to hear the TRL amp.