Lots of great amps for $5K, but what about $500 used?

S Clark · « **on:** 25 Feb 2008, 04:21 am »

Obviously, we are not talking SOTA here, but what is worth looking at that would musically drive a 91 dB line array and make it sing? Shirley, there is something out there?

BradJudy · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 04:22 am »

Are you looking for a straight amp or an integrated amp?

pbrstreetgang · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 04:26 am »

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=34570.90

http://www.ati-amp.com/at1202.html

Info given to me by Denny as he was impressed with them

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 04:27 am »

A used Khartago (stereo) unit from Odyssey Audio would probably fill the bill. I had one I used on my MMG Maggies and quickly traded up to the Khartago Mono Extremes and felt it was overkill in my 12 x 15 x 8-12' room. The stereo unit seemed plenty good enough and would likely do fine with your line arrays.

The Audiosource amps of the past several years can be bought in pairs and used as monoblocks.....I think their largest is 150 watt and monoblocked at 400 watts. That should do the trick, too. A pair of used ones should come under $500...and they work fairly well.

Lotsa' choices from NAD, too, would likely work.

John

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 04:35 am »

Why buy used when you can GET THIS new complete with a (cheesy) remote and a 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee? I bought the smaller unit and it is most definitely a keeper.

S Clark · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 04:38 am »

Quote from: BradJudy on 25 Feb 2008, 04:22 am

Are you looking for a straight amp or an integrated amp?

Straight amp. Actually, this is sort of a curiousity question. I already have an older Moscode 150 modded coming at about that price, and currently am using a Knight vintage KB-85 that would be a bit over that price, but is a little under powered at 35 wpc for the LS9 kit that I am building.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 04:53 am »

A clean advent 300.... $200 for a really clean one. Surprisingly good...

pbrstreetgang · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 04:55 am »

Good suggestion on the little dot! Also you are getting LS9s and you have a kick ass pre you are going to be loving life!

EProvenzano · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 04:58 am »

Someone please jump in here and rip off that line from Airplane!
The suspense is killing me

On a serious note, I've been very pleased with the Adcom GFA555 II. These can be had for less than $500. The midrange is not as refined as later generation amps, but the bass control is very good. I assume this would be a good quality for a line array amp.

Good luck!

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 05:02 am »

Am I allowed to mention my own gear here? Will delete if not.

I have an plain vanilla Odyssey Stratos for sale at your price...
I'll probably call Klaus soon to verify its vintage. He pm'd me saying I should be ok, but to call to confirm.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=50249.0

doug s. · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 06:40 pm »

Quote from: S Clark on 25 Feb 2008, 04:38 am

Quote from: BradJudy on 25 Feb 2008, 04:22 am
Are you looking for a straight amp or an integrated amp?

Straight amp. Actually, this is sort of a curiousity question. I already have an older Moscode 150 modded coming at about that price, and currently am using a Knight vintage KB-85 that would be a bit over that price, but is a little under powered at 35 wpc for the LS9 kit that I am building.

you may wanna wait - unless the current loads of the ls-9 are extreme, 35wpc should be plenty for 'em, at 91db-efficient. it should only take 32w to hit 106db peaks; in-room w/a pair of speakers. especially w/line source speakers - you may actually get louder...

all that being said...

i yust received as partial trade, a nice hypex ucd-180 based digital amp, rated at 180wpc into 4 ohms. (less into 8 ohms, if i understand how these amps work.) i yust got it literally yesterday, & i have no use for it, so it's going up f/s. i understand that these amps, when all dolled up, will sell for a lot - diycable's iteration, for example, (somewhat of a bargain, imo), is pushing $1400:

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?products_id=616&Cid=7a3fc53af258484026429d9087f6414f

if you want no-frills, but the same performance, check out my amp - as i yust now got it, & as it's a trade, i might be able to get close to, or meet your budget. aa i understand that these amps work well w/the gr-research ls's... forgive the pics, they were from the p.o.; i can get more detailed ones later. but, these will give you an idea...

doug s.

ebag4 · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Feb 2008, 07:33 pm »

Here is an idea if you don't mind a little shameless self promotion.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=50517.msg453050#msg453050

Best,
Ed