best value for money amp for unefficient speaker...

spartan · « **on:** 27 Aug 2010, 07:18 pm »

Hi all....

Anybody can help me in amps (integrated preferred) that is musical yet powerful, enough driving capability to drive difficult loads/unefficient speaker, and inexpensive (<$800max new price) to fit budget to complete my project (speaker and passive pre).
The speaker configured basic 2way ported. the spec of tweeter and mid has SPL 91db and 85db respectively with power handling req each at 100wrms/150peak. The tonal sound has closed similiarity of those dyn speaker.

..tried Adcom 555 however it didnt suit the system...

I would appreciate suggestions from those actually owned and used the amp

Best Regards,

boycephoto · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Aug 2010, 07:59 pm »

Hi Spartan,

There is a used Audio by Van Alstine Omega III 400 at Van Alstines' web site. I think it's $595. Check out the link. This is a great price. I had one for 5 years before I upgraded to the next level AVA offers. I used it with very inefficient speakers (82db) with great results.

http://avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=125&Itemid=176&74a0ad6b5f7a1df0ef4ab98b8fffbb41=6f9db859fa876df29a65251bbbf3342d

good luck
Dave

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Aug 2010, 09:51 pm »

classdaudio.com

I own one of their kits and can verify it's a nice amplifier. If you want one pre-built someone has one for sale on the Trading Post for $300.

viggen · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Aug 2010, 11:54 pm »

Believe it or not I drive a 89db pair of Reynauds with a 1 wpc tube integrated that I purchased 2nd hand for $800.

I'd look at a Nakamichi PA5 for about $5-600 used.

S Clark · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Aug 2010, 12:15 am »

Here is 205 wpc from a fellow AC member for $150

. They aren't the latest and greatest, but they are actually pretty decent amps. http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=84693.msg828719;topicseen#new

soundbitten1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Aug 2010, 12:19 am »

Quote from: S Clark on 28 Aug 2010, 12:15 am

Here is 205 wpc from a fellow AC member for $150 . They aren't the latest and greatest, but they are actually pretty decent amps. http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=84693.msg828719;topicseen#new

I can vouch for that one and also the NAD 3080 integrated which can drive 2 ohm loads.

hifitommy · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Aug 2010, 02:11 am »

i cant imagine a speaker that doesnt sound at least acceptable with an adcom 555. i have a 555II and have tried many speakers.

my friend had a 5500, a 5400, and a 5800 and drove martin logan reQuests and they sounded GREAT.

please let us know which speaker this is so we can better guide you.

AVnerdguy · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Aug 2010, 03:24 am »

The Omega at avahifi.com is an excellent amp and Frank includes a 30 day audition and a warranty. Also, there are a few Hafler XL280 amps on ebay. Very nice amps and will drive just about anything. I have 2 that I was thinking of listing in the Circle classified.

firedog · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Aug 2010, 06:45 am »

Emotiva?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Aug 2010, 07:00 am »

This integrated might do the trick for you....I've heard it a number of times...it is a best value.

http://www.sonicflare.com/archives/review-dussun-ds99-integrated-amp.php

Doublej · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Aug 2010, 01:38 pm »

Behringer A500?

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=83209.0

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Aug 2010, 03:29 pm »

Quote from: spartan on 27 Aug 2010, 07:18 pm

........to complete my project (speaker and passive pre).

Did you mean passive crossover or did you build a passive preamp?

1. If you're going to use a passive pre-amp with inefficient speakers, the amplifier that you choose must have plenty of gain, not necessarily a lot of power. 26 to 30 dB of gain is a good place to start for such a situation. If you can't find the gain spec for your amplifier, the other way to figure out how much gain it has is to check the sensitivity spec. Something in the 150mV to 500mV range would be good, and anything above that, such as the 1V to 2V range, will probably require an active pre amp.

This is one reason why so many lower powered tube amps work fine with passive pre amps and inefficient speakers. They usually have a lot of gain.

2. If you buy an integrated amplifier, you won't need a passive pre. Which means :

3. I have a feeling you meant passive crossover and speaker, so never mind all of that . . . .

(It's still worth mentioning though, because understanding the system gain structure helps us to evaluate the sound of things as we put different components together.)

DaveC113 · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Aug 2010, 03:30 pm »

I had an Adcom 5500, it is a good amp for inefficient speakers. I preferred it to 2 NAD 100wpc power amps running bi-amped on my Mirage bipolars, although the NADs were def. good amps.

Class D gives you big power on the cheap too.

silver_strings · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Aug 2010, 04:09 am »

If you like tube amps check out the audiospace amps, they are made for using ineffiecient speakers, my 12 watt mini-2004 can drive my 86 db towers with more than enough volume for my living room.

spartan · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Aug 2010, 09:54 pm »

Quote from: silver_strings on 29 Aug 2010, 04:09 am

If you like tube amps check out the audiospace amps, they are made for using ineffiecient speakers, my 12 watt mini-2004 can drive my 86 db towers with more than enough volume for my living room.

are you sure this can drive 84-86dbs? is it something with tubes amp that deal with current not watt? I checked the price on net its close to a grand (is this correct?)...a lil over my budget but defintely add to my list of choices..looks greenish cool too

spartan · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Aug 2010, 09:56 pm »

Quote from: boycephoto on 27 Aug 2010, 07:59 pm

Hi Spartan,

There is a used Audio by Van Alstine Omega III 400 at Van Alstines' web site. I think it's $595. Check out the link. This is a great price. I had one for 5 years before I upgraded to the next level AVA offers. I used it with very inefficient speakers (82db) with great results.

http://avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=125&Itemid=176&74a0ad6b5f7a1df0ef4ab98b8fffbb41=6f9db859fa876df29a65251bbbf3342d

good luck
Dave

Noted and seen. hopefully not gone when i decide to get it .

spartan · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Aug 2010, 09:58 pm »

Quote from: S Clark on 28 Aug 2010, 12:15 am

Here is 205 wpc from a fellow AC member for $150 . They aren't the latest and greatest, but they are actually pretty decent amps. http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=84693.msg828719;topicseen#new

noted and seen the ad

spartan · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 Aug 2010, 10:00 pm »

Quote from: soundbitten1 on 28 Aug 2010, 12:19 am

I can vouch for that one and also the NAD 3080 integrated which can drive 2 ohm loads.

Great thanks, added to my list

bside123 · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Aug 2010, 10:01 pm »

Have you considered a used McCormack amp in the DNA family? DNA 1.0, DNA 0.5
Both high current great sounding amps, drive harder loads easily, can be upgrade.

spartan · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 Aug 2010, 10:04 pm »

Quote from: hifitommy on 28 Aug 2010, 02:11 am

i cant imagine a speaker that doesnt sound at least acceptable with an adcom 555. i have a 555II and have tried many speakers.

my friend had a 5500, a 5400, and a 5800 and drove martin logan reQuests and they sounded GREAT.

please let us know which speaker this is so we can better guide you.

The speaker is very dyn like and sounds like it but @6ohm. thanks for your attention