Hi guys...need an int. SS amp recommendation

gonefishin · « **on:** 24 Oct 2003, 08:02 pm »

I was wondering if you guys could give me some suggestions. A guy I know has a pair of Legacy Focus speakers...and is currently running it with a receiver

. He doesn't want to get caught up into getting sperates...and wants to buy one amp and keep it...never to upgrade again

But he does want to get something fairly decent...and I just don't think it would do any good bringing my 8 watt or 25 watt tube amps over...this guy needs some SS power. Yeah, I know the things are rated from 10-500watts...but he really doesn't ever want to fuss with his system...SS would suit him well.

New, used or demo is not a concern...he would like to keep it under $2,000 USd.

thanks for the suggestions

Specifications
System Type 7 driver, 5 way

Tweeter Ribbon
Midrange 1.25" Dome
Midwoofer (2) 7" Kevlar
Subwoofer (3) 12" Paper
Low Frequency Alignment B6 assisted stabilized
Freq. Response
(hz, +/-2dB) 16-30k
Impedance 4 ohms
Sensitivity
(Room, dB@2.83V) 96
Recomended Amplification 10-500 watts
Crossover 80, 300, 2.8k, 8k
Binding Posts 2 Pair - Biampable
Weight 185 lb
Dimensions 15.8" x 13" x 55.5"
Warranty 10 years

JoshK · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Oct 2003, 08:19 pm »

For his needs look at the high powered Perreaux integrated. That would work. Also Krell's integrateds on the used market would work and they have a newer one that is high powered.

vpolineni · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Oct 2003, 08:49 pm »

gonefishin, check your pm

Hantra · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Oct 2003, 09:06 pm »

$2,000 used is a pretty darned good budget. Best I have heard to date is the Plinius 8200MkII integrated. I wholeheartedly recommend that to any music lover. You may think you're losing certain things over more accurate amps, but for sheer enjoyment, and emotion of the music, I have heard nothing better in solid state. . . It'll put 300 watts into those. And the cool thing is, if he likes it, he can still bi-amp later with an 8200p MkII. They can be had under $1000 now. .

B

michael w · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Oct 2003, 02:35 am »

For effortless power and control a Krell KAV-300i or 300iL.

These amps can control any speaker but they will not do you any favors of you feed them inappropriately.

OTOH the Plinius does not have the sheer power or presence of the Krell but is more forgiving and a whisker warmer.

Both are fine amps but with different attributes.

cheerio

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Oct 2003, 04:17 pm »

When I went looking for an integrated there were only two that beat out the Plinius 8200MkII, the BAT 300 and the Levinson 383. Don't hesitate on the Plinius, great piece!

doug s. · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Oct 2003, 05:39 pm »

as my fave s/s gear is electrocompaniet, i'd recommend that. amazing curent output w/ec gear. but, since i really like toobs, i'd suggest a pathos classic one (series 2). s/s amp, w/built-in toob pre. shouldn't be too finicky, as toob pre's are not nearly as touchy as many toob amps..

doug s.

Hantra · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Oct 2003, 06:24 pm »

Quote

When I went looking for an integrated there were only two that beat out the Plinius 8200MkII, the BAT 300 and the Levinson 383.

Hey T:

Can I ask you what you like about those better? Just curious, as I haven't heard either of those. . .

Thanks!

B

michael w · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Oct 2003, 10:55 pm »

ML 383 ?

MAJOR budget blow-out guys !

In that class take a look at the Jeff Rowland Concentra 2.
A mighty fine integrated.

Overall nicer than my Krell or Plinius and about on par with the legendary Jadis DA-60.

cheers

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Oct 2003, 11:55 pm »

John Marks' column in the Nov. Stereophile mentions the Plinius as his "favorite all-things-considered integrated" and that it's being replaced by a new model for $500 more. Won't that mean that some will be selling the old model so they can upgrade?? Might make for a good bargain.

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Oct 2003, 06:33 am »

Hantra: I liked the ML 383 best. It could drive any speaker on earth with that massive power supply. Great combination of liquid midrange, extension on both ends, above average sense of air, great snap (maybe best I've geard) on the bottom. The Plinius had less control on the bottom.

The BAT, well, I'm partial to all things BAT. Best midrange of the three, accurate on top but without the presence of the ML. Solid at the bottom, but not as solid as the ML. The Plinius was 93-94% of the BAT, and 90-91% of the Levinson. But given the money saved with the Plinius, it's a no brainer if money is an issue.

Both the BAT and the ML saw into the music deeper, with more detail and front to back imaging. Musically the Plinius was a dead heat with both, if not slightly better.

Michael: Man, I wanted to hear a Jeff Rowland, but to no avail. I've read nothing but great stuff. But a budget buster? No way. An integrated in inherently cheaper than separates, and because there's too many separate snobs out there used prices are excellent. If you're lucky you can pick up a used one for 3 grand in mint condition with low hours, although 3500-3800 is more likely. For a do it all amp, that's 15 years of first class operation. But the Rowland does bug me a little. Isn't the Jeff about the same price?

michael w · « **Reply #11 on:** 26 Oct 2003, 08:03 am »

hi Tbadder,

Budget buster in the context of the OP's request.
he was working with $2k and here we are going nuts over Mark Levinson's and Jeff Rowlands.

The Rowland is more like a Plinius than Krell.
It lacks just a smidgeon of bottom end control and has a few ergonomic quirks.

Very smooth and refined, occassionally a tad to refined when playing hard rock.

Otherwise it's a fine piece of equipment with unmatched buidl quality.

cheerio

gonefishin · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Oct 2003, 05:22 pm »

Thanks guys...alotta great responses. Hopefully I'll have a better idea after today. He isn't opposed to buying used...so that gives him some really great options in his price range. Vpo...I should be able to get back to you in a couple days. Well...time to go searchin' agon again

thanks again guys...

Hantra · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Oct 2003, 06:43 pm »

TB:

I hate to keep going off topic, but one more question.

I agree that the Plinius lacks control on the bottom. Would you say that the 383 is 2x better than the Plinius? Just wondering b/c of th eprice difference on the used market. .

Thanks for your help!

B

JoshK · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Oct 2003, 07:20 pm »

If I were in the market for a integrated I might have a look at the Coda Unico that is listed on a'gon. Great reviews, 240 into 4ohms, fully function remote, great looks. Gotta love that!

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Oct 2003, 09:49 pm »

OK, this isn't a recommendation but it just looks so cool. It's a demo tube integrated with matching CD player--this MIGHT even have WAF (as long as it matches the drapes).

http://www.sigsound.com/NU&DInfoPages/Synthesis.htm

PhilNYC · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Oct 2003, 10:04 pm »

A used SimAudio I-5 or I-3 might work well here. For SS stuff, I've always liked their amps...

Also, there's a Brinkman integrated on Audiogon right now that's superb...might not have the right power/current requirements for your speakers, but it looks darn cool...

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampstran&1072315688

Phil

subhuman · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Oct 2003, 11:44 pm »

I second the Coda Unison; that would be my first choice for a SS integrated amp. At the used AudioGon price, it's a no-brainer IMO... grab it!

cyounkman · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Oct 2003, 02:38 am »

Quote from: Tonto Yoder

Won't that mean that some will be selling the old model so they can upgrade?? Might make for a good bargain.

I think that for the most part buyers for the 8200 are looking to be "done"... not the type that typically sells as soon as there's a newer model.

That said, I have one in my system right now, and I think all the good press is well-deserved. Powerful enough for anything (even those Legacies), delicate, great tone colour, excellent dynamics (at least whiel driving the de capos), nice to look at... And if he wants more power the 8200p is an easy upgrade.

I would agree that it might not be the last, last word in transparency, but it strengths lie in its musicality and seemingly limitless overhead.

JohnR · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Oct 2003, 02:47 am »

When I was trying to sell my 8200, it seemed like so was half the audiophiles in the US. I don't understand why some people like this amp so much, but hey. I would just like to mention that I thought the preamp was subpar wrt to the power amp, as I suppose is often the case with integrateds.