Amp time for me too....

Discussion in 'Hi-Fi and General Audio' started by I-S, Feb 7, 2004.

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  1. I-S

    I-S Good Evening.... Infidel

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    Yes, it's amplifier time for a fair few people at the moment...

    Question is... what?

    I want something big, strong, bowel-looseningly powerful, that is punchy, quick, detailed and insightful. It must groove significantly.

    From present research I've got a couple of contenders:

    Bel Canto eVo (200.2, 2, 2i, 200.4 or 4 (same thing) are all possibilities)
    Simaudio (Celeste i-5080 perhaps? i-3 and i-5 seem to be a bit too expensive)

    What else? I was looking at the parasound HALO A23, but if it doesn't do life as I've heard, perhaps not... Either a decent power amp or an integrated is what I'm after.
     
    I-S, Feb 7, 2004
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  2. I-S

    Steven Toy

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    Not quite in the ballpark of the Bel Canto offerings, but the Densen B200/B300XS combo does seem to manage to drive most speakers around and it is involving and musical too. Cost £2500 new for the pair.

    I'd change both my source and speakers to something rather exotic before I thought about changing my amps above.
     
    Steven Toy, Feb 8, 2004
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  3. I-S

    bottleneck talks a load of rubbish

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    Henrys second hand Gamut?
     
    bottleneck, Feb 8, 2004
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  4. I-S

    jimmymcfarrell Anyone fancy a pint?

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    You said fast and punchy. Sounds like TAG MCLaren might be a good idea. Id be interested to hear what 2 and a half grands worth of TAG amp sounds like! Have a look at

    http://www.tagmclaren.com/great/sounds.asp
     
    jimmymcfarrell, Feb 8, 2004
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  5. I-S

    sideshowbob Trisha

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    Power? Speed? ATC SIA-150 integrated. There's one on hififorsale.com atm for £1K-ish.

    If you're thinking digital, try and have a listen to Sonneteer's Bronte integrated amp. About £800, Walrus stock them. Haven't had a chance to listen to one for any length of time, but I suspect it's likely to be pretty decent, Sonneteer's other amps are terrific little beasts. Add a Sonneteer Byron CDP at a later date, job done.

    -- Ian
     
    sideshowbob, Feb 8, 2004
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  6. I-S

    joel Shaman of Signals

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    Accuphase, naturally (but only s/h in the UK, price new is astonishing!)
     
    joel, Feb 8, 2004
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  7. I-S

    cookiemonster

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    Either a decent power amp....

    [​IMG]

    or integrated....

    [​IMG]

    :MILD:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 8, 2004
    cookiemonster, Feb 8, 2004
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  8. I-S

    HenryT

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    Ah thanks Chris! :D Now how much commission did we discuss the other day!! ;)

    I think I'm going to miss the Gamut when it's gone, it certainly does things the Evo 2i doesn't do, and visa-versa ATM. Although maybe the 2i has still got some running in to do, not sure... :rolleyes: I'd certainly wager the Gamut as being the most capable out of the two when it comes to driving difficult speaker loads to rediculous volume levels as well has having the most speed and grunt.

    Someone had better make me an offer before I change my mind... :cry:
     
    HenryT, Feb 8, 2004
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  9. I-S

    sideshowbob Trisha

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    In the UK, even the secondhand price is astonishing. It'd be cheaper to import new and do the voltage conversion, but I doubt you'd get any Accuphase support if you did that. There's a US site that sells new Japanese import models internationally, with a voltage transformer thrown in, for about half the UK RRP, even accounting for shipping and import duty.

    Shame, you keep piquing my curiosity about Accuphase, but I doubt I'll ever hear any properly. I am shallow enough to openly confess that the cool VU meters, headphone output, and sensible number of inputs are enough for me to know I'd like it. Even the champagne fascia looks nicely done, god forbid...

    -- Ian
     
    sideshowbob, Feb 8, 2004
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  10. I-S

    penance Arrogant Cock

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    800notes??

    :p :D
     
    penance, Feb 8, 2004
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  11. I-S

    joel Shaman of Signals

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    McIntosh amplification with some BIG JBLs would be a *very* tempting prospect - and there are a lot of very happy McIn owners out there who haven't even thought about changing amps for 30+ years...
    They look superb in the metal, too.
     
    joel, Feb 8, 2004
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  12. I-S

    HenryT

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    Erm, maybe not quite that low Pen! :p You could have a pre amp for that price though, nearly! :D
     
    HenryT, Feb 8, 2004
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  13. I-S

    Rory satisfied

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    Rory, Feb 8, 2004
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  14. I-S

    titian

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    Oh my god nooooooo.
    I am a very happy McIntosh owner until I heard that there is a lot better. :rolleyes:

    Nice name.
     
    titian, Feb 8, 2004
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  15. I-S

    merlin

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    Ah now come on Titian!

    The big JBL/ Big Mac combo is for those of us who like to ROCK:D I guess Wolfgang and his posse might be underwhelmed, but Joel's spot on here, they are fun!

    I'll edit to add that if you must have BelCanto, IMO you'll need to budget for the 200.4 or bridged 200.2's. The standard 200.2 has consistently underwhelmed me. What's your budget and are you going to buy used?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 8, 2004
    merlin, Feb 8, 2004
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  16. I-S

    titian

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    I also like ROCK!

    :duck:
     
    titian, Feb 8, 2004
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  17. I-S

    merlin

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    Ah! But I bet you don't like big JBL's:D
     
    merlin, Feb 8, 2004
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  18. I-S

    technobear Ursine Audiophile

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    The ATC SIA2-150 can rock. It can kick like a mule when required. Its quick, musical, detailed, open, uncoloured, doesn't compress or run out of puff when you wind the wick up, also sounds good played quietly (why does anyone buy class AB amps? :confused: ). Well recommended. Especially for a grand :eek:
     
    technobear, Feb 8, 2004
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  19. I-S

    titian

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    Not
    :chunder: really.
    Oh sorry. :shame:
     
    titian, Feb 8, 2004
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  20. I-S

    Robbo

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    heres one for you merlin,

    Walrus have a pair up for £14K

    [​IMG]

    Temptation...............
     
    Robbo, Feb 8, 2004
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