power amps

any suggestions for such under a grand, second hand???

just got a nice neutral pre amp and want a good power to go with it...i like musical amps, rather than clinical, but not false rhythm, where the bass is loaded to sound exciting....would prefer something a little sweet.....suggestions on what to look for tube or ss...

 

I have a pair of Audion Stirling monos for £995. Using KT88's. A lovely pair.

 

A solid state recommendation from me would be:

Crimson 640D/E monos, 200W monoblocks.

http://www.hifiplus.com/t-rev11-2.html

I don't have a great deal of experience of other amps to be honest but I got a pair of 640D for 500 UKP 2nd hand after listening to a few demos.

They have been fantastic. Musical as opposed to analytical but not 'voiced' like the similarly priced naim I've heard were (my opinion, not a dig, they do sound interesting just not my taste).

 

thanks guys...had a look at the crimson...they look good scott, thanks....the audion sterling i cant find much on these. is there a link hifi addict?

 

I suposae it would help if I could spell.

http://www.audion.co.uk/html/sterling.html

These are the pushpull KT88 version.

 

One of the best affordable power amps I have owned was an Aaron Millenium 3 secondhand. Fabulous organic sound with plenty of speed and dynamics They go for around £500 on ebay UK or search on ebay germany for one.

At the moment I am running an Aura PA-200 power amp and that has the same traits as the Aaron, maybe more sublimely so. Getting hard to come by nowadays more's the pity.

 

I can agree the Aaron amp s very good I have sold one in the past.

I know I keep mentioning it but a Leak Stereo 20 is a stonking amp. Its one of my all time favourites.

 

Lyngdorf SDA2175.

 

depends on how much power you need..

 

Creek A52SE, if you can find one.

 

Congratulations Chris, the only sensible reply so far. To be fair it was a daft question.

 

I disagree. Power may be one of the factors involved (& there could be many others), but the original post was looking for suggestions so as to form a potential 'shortlist' and perhaps have ideas presented that may not have been under consideration. Power is certainly not the be all and end all of the selection starting point for amplifiers.

As to the question being 'daft'; well, just how condescending would you like to be?

 

...just wondered if people had some good suggestions as I wish to make headway into a new power amp.....im happy for valves or ss and power may be a concern at the mo. as my "150 watt" monos are struggling to drive very efficient kefs...dont want clean sound at the expense of musical enjoyment...im very happy with my avi monos, but they struggle when passages become copmplex, thats all....andy

 

The main suggestion is that you tell us what speakers you are using.

 

Hi,

Which Kef speakers do you have and what pre amp do you own?
How big is your room?

SCIDB

 

welborne ultrapath battery opperated pre(V good)....kef 104/2 (musical sounding, though bass abit flabby) room is an L shape, but around 12' x 17'

 

the welborne is a valve pre by the way...i feel that the pre is providing some really good info to the 2x avi monos, but they cant seem to work when music becomes congested.....unless its the speakers?

 

I'll second that. Great amp.

 

Also here a recommendation for the SDA2175. It has pushed some very difficult speakers into submission.

 

The 104/2 can suck up a lot of power. Sensitive it is but efficient? I always had a soft spot for them - they still have a pair in Rough Trade Notting Hill.

I always thought it sounded good with the Audiolab gear back in the day - nowadays, you will find plenty of good powerful Rotels , like the 991, which lack ultimate transparency but deliver power with weight and smoothness that would suit the Kef.

The Lyngdorf is more 21st century uber neutral if you know what I mean - but again could work well. Just get something with plenty of real current on tap.