AMP guys be warned, this is a fishing trip

[Madmike2]

Ok ,this is a question where i want you to imagine i am you or someone like me who has a budget that cant be exceeded. I am looking for a used quality amp for a two channel system say, and I have 700 dollars max to spend. What would I look for?

Pretend want the best sound that $700 will buy.

 

[SY]

Speakers? Music? Room size? Desired listening level?

 

[Madmike2]

I know where you want to go Master SY But i am happy just to know what is considered a quality amp for that price. My pioneer is not cutting it (i was told) and i agree. so i can swing 5 to 700 for an amp and i think i could get an excellent amp in that price range if i go used. Because they are older does not me they are bad . Most of the stuff in the stores today with their IC outputs sound like junk.

SO ignore room and speakers and what have you. Just a nice clean op statement ...

"i like so and so because they built and designed a good sounding amp thats blah blah blah. Good value for 700 dollars "

Like that.

Say it for the Average Joe's like me. (sorry to offend any Joe's in this forum )

 

[SY]

If it were me and I lost my ability to solder, I'd find an old Adcom 555 or (even better) Bryston, and not worry about the howls of so-called audiophiles. Solid, reliable, clean.

 

[Madmike2]

Clean ... i like that. Adcom eh ? I will make a list for this weekend and go ebaying and to a few of the shops here in toronto and see what i can find. Since i was a fool and walked away from that MC275 a few weeks back because i had to eat instead.

 

[anatech]

Not the original 4B's. They have enough troubles and can sound "bad". The Adcom is a good choice. Remember to save some money from the purchase to "freshen" up your amp. A Marantz 300DC would work well, along with a Nak PA-7 (II). Many others out there to choose from.

-Chris

 

[carlosfm]

Speakers? Music? Room size? Desired listening level?

Hey, good questions.

 

[carlosfm]

I am looking for a used quality amp for a two channel system say, and I have 700 dollars max to spend. What would I look for?

Pretend want the best sound that $700 will buy.

Can you get a used Lavardin for that money?

 

[Madmike2]

North American Sound on Queen St. in Toronto has an Adcom amp all black with a rocker switch. I wish i had have seen the number on it. Its pretty big Pretty sure it was a GFA - 555 .

What is a Nikko? He has an amp there with 175 watts per channel for 250 bucks that weighs a ton. But it is a Nikko and he was shifty when i asked what he thought of its quality.

Well he wants to sell it so of course he wont bad mouth it.

i DOnt think i have heard of a lavardin.

And freshen up what bro ? Mosfets need to be replaced, caps, resistors ?? something i can get at hopefully

 

[SY]

I'll be in Brampton next week. Sounds like I ought to take a little side trip to Queen St.

 

[adason]

My pioneer is not cutting it

what pioneer? have you tried Spec?
you can get Spec for lot less than $700 on ebay
and they will always sound better than anything made now for $700!

 

[Madmike2]

Dude if you are seriously coming to Brampton the guy you must see, is at Queen and Church. Thats the guy who had the Tube amps and scads of other gear there. I am sure i saw the Mac gone already though.

 

[Madmike2]

Church and Queen in Toronto, not Brampton.

 

[SY]

I assumed that! Now all I have to do is shake the piggy bank in advance so that I'm prepared...

Thanks for the tout!