Power Amp Suggestions?

I was looking for a new power amp in the 100-125 watt RMS range and was looking to spend $400 or less, any suggestions? I looked at the onkyo M-282, which looks pretty good, but i was hoping for a touch more power (although it probably would be ok). Has anyone used this power amp before? I am going to use it with a phase linear 2000 preamp, and Klipsch RF-62 Floorstanding speakers (500W max, 125 watts continous). I like tight but powerful bass. I dont listen to classical or jazz, metal and rock mostly. My favorite right now is Porcupine Tree, they produce excellent sounding, expertly recorded and mixed music.

Thanks

 

5 watts would be enough with those speakers, seriously.

 

http://www.dv247.com/invt/25947/

 

The speakers have a quoted sensitivity of 97db. 1 what will make them go louder than I'm currently listening.

 

So?

What's the point is using a small amp and stressing it?

My speakers are 92 dB and I use the A500 just below clipping for rock listening.

If I had 97 dB speakers I would still use the A500 but at 1/4 power it would sound more refined and stay cooler.

 

Simpler circuit. Less Components means better components for the same money. Or at least thats the theory

You won't stress a low powered amp by asking for a watt, provided the load is relatively benign. In fact in many amps you'll get worse sound near the bottom of their power envelope than you will near the top.

Anyway Blackthorne. Can I recommend you search out a second hand Rotel? Something like a RB981 if you want loads of power. I reckon they were a steal new - they're even crazier VFM now if you just want to enjoy your music.

 

+1

 

Carver m-400?

What do you think about the Carver m-400 power amp? There is one for sale nearby for $200. Specs: Power output: 201 watts/channel into 8 ohms, THD: 20Hz-20KHz with no more than .05% THD;Signal to Noise Ratio: >100 dB, IHF A weighting
IM distortion: 0.1% SMPTE.

 

It's a bad idea to judge kit by its distortion figures. In fact, very low distortion figures may have been achieved by high levels of overall negative feedback which can drain all the life and soul out of the music. I'm not saying this is the case with the Carver. I haven't heard one but the point is to let you ears do the choosing and don't get too hung up on the published specs.

The nature of the distortion is more important than the quantity. Even order harmonic distortion doesn't offend the ears in the same way that odd order harmonic distortion does.

 

+1

 

5 watts?

Ant,

I gotta ask since you have a different view than just about everybody ive talked to, what would you recommend as a power amp for $400 or less with small power, excellent sound. Also, with that little power (5 watts you say) do you even need a preamp for volume, or will it still be loud enough that i should use one?

 

Even a Sonic T would be quite enough...

 

Ant, I'm curious about your low power recommendation. i found this counterpoint taken and quoted here. What is your take on this?

Taken from:
http://keil.maisonjaune.de/audio/index.html

"There shear power of an amplifier says nothing on how it will sound together with a speaker. As a rule of thumb one can say that it's a good idea to select the amplifier in a way that it's far more powerful than the maximum allowed for the speaker. This type of combination will for sure not destroy your speakers as long as you don't turn the amplifier to maximum volume. The other way round is far more dangerous. Using a low power amp to drive large speakers, will force the amp to always work on it's limit. Driven this way the amplifier will create high-frequency distortions at high volume that can destroy your speakers. But this is only a rule of thumb."

 

I guess your in America, In which case I use a Decware Set amp (2 watts) to drive Tannoy speakers to acceptable listening levels to my ears

 

Umm you arent actually talking about this thing are you? Sonic Impact 5066 15-Watt Portable Class-T Digital Audio Amplifier ?

I must not be looking at the correct product

 

It has become quite popular to modify those "things", apparentelly with very good results, all the way to the batery powered Red Wine...

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/redwine3/system.html

 

yamaha mx-35

Does this amp run, or can it run, as a class A amplifier? I downloaded a copy of the manual from the yamaha website and i didnt see it anywhere. Anybody know?

 

Also, what difference does it make what amplifier class it is? Which one sounds the best? I only need 10Watts per channel, but i want something that sounds GREAT.

 

I would try a SET, class A, no NFB, tubes 211 or 845, for big 20 watts...

 

I'd try a great value Trends Audio TA-10 Class-T:

http://www.trendsaudio.com/EN/Product/TA-10_desc.htm

It's not as good as the Shig but at 1/12 the price...

You can buy it from here:

http://www.ndi-france.com/article.php?articleID=175