new amp...

mr cat

mr cat

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hi guys, after new stereo integrated amp, say 400 quid, second hand fine...whats out there..?

cheers
 
I've recently listened to my gf's old harman/kardon amp again prior to puting it on ebay.de soon, a PM 620. For the 150 quid we're going to get for it, this one's quite superb.
 
Mr. Cat, what type of amp are you looking for? valves? SS? it would help a little. For example you get a very nice Audio Innovations integrated valve amp for around that figure. Or maybe a nice SS amp such as a Meridian 551 which should go for a similar price.
 
cheers guy - yeah, I'd say I'm after an SS amp and i like the nad sound and the recent primare a20 I had...

there is a long thread on the 'wam about the creek evo - but there seems to be a 50/50 split in whether I would enjoy it's sound...no doubt that it's a great amp tho!

what about naim nait 5i?
 
it's more about pace, rhythm, timing than 'warmth'.

I think a used Icon valve amp might float your boat.

Failing that, something with a big bold warm sound, like an amp heavily biased into class A.

Something like this -

although this one's a few years old so you may be facing the odd repair bill as time goes by, replacing a blown cap here or there etc..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Conrad-Johnso...ryZ50593QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem
 
bottleneck said:
it's more about pace, rhythm, timing than 'warmth'.

I think a used Icon valve amp might float your boat.

Failing that, something with a big bold warm sound, like an amp heavily biased into class A.

Something like this -

although this one's a few years old so you may be facing the odd repair bill as time goes by, replacing a blown cap here or there etc..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Conrad-Johnso...ryZ50593QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem
Click to expand...

yeah, that conrad is stunning...but wouldn't I need a decent pre amp to go with it..?

I've seen a copland csa14...are they any good..? there was a csa8 for sale on the wam' recently - but that seems to have changed hands a few times tho...
 
bottleneck said:
looks nice Mr C.

I quite liked an earlier Copland amp I heard.

Here is a review of the one you mention

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/integrated-amplifiers/copland/PRD_116291_2717crx.aspx

Someone put the same question on PFM (was that you?) and the Meridian in answer on ebay looked a good amp.

I heard (another earlier) Meridian amp and liked it.

£400 or so could get you your first foray into valves if you fancied it too. Something like a Ming Da, Icon etc.
Click to expand...

Hi - this is the thread i posted (like to keep the same name on the different hifi forums) -
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40861

I'm quited tempted by a valve - just don't know where to start really...theres seems to be loads fleabay from hong kong sellers, but thats a bit risky...!
 
bottleneck said:
looks nice Mr C.

I quite liked an earlier Copland amp I heard.

Here is a review of the one you mention

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/integrated-amplifiers/copland/PRD_116291_2717crx.aspx

Someone put the same question on PFM (was that you?) and the Meridian in answer on ebay looked a good amp.

I heard (another earlier) Meridian amp and liked it.

£400 or so could get you your first foray into valves if you fancied it too. Something like a Ming Da, Icon etc.
Click to expand...

talking of meridian - I did notice this of pfm -
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39741

looked at them on ebay (different sellers) and they look tasty...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meridian-555-...ryZ14973QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERIDIAN-501-...ryZ12050QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem

any views
 
I'll let someone else answer, I'm not sufficiently au fait with Meridian power amps. :)
 
ok guys - still have ther potential to own the - Myryad MI120 plus MA120 or the primare I21 - which ones do you think will be better..?



cheers
 
Just my 2p's worth on the subject of Coplands as they'd be mentioned - I had the all valve integrated CTA-401 a short while back and it was 'nice', but ultimately a bit too bland/boring. I'm not sure what the hybrid or all SS ones are like though. I replaced it with a Unison Research Unico (for £395 delivered) and that beats the CTA-401 soundly in all departments save perhaps a bit of treble sweetness. I think the Unico was a steal 2nd hand at that price, i'd be suprised if it really disappointed anyone.
 
mr cat said:
hi guys, after new stereo integrated amp, say 400 quid, second hand fine...whats out there..?

cheers
Click to expand...


If your keepoing the Focal speakers it makes sense to search out an Amp that has a synergy with your speakers. The CJ gear fits that mark very well.
If your speakers have a high input sesnitivity then maybe SET are in order. Whatever you look into IMO it should have a rich and warm character to meld with the Focals.


rollo
 
rollo said:
If your keepoing the Focal speakers it makes sense to search out an Amp that has a synergy with your speakers. The CJ gear fits that mark very well.
If your speakers have a high input sesnitivity then maybe SET are in order. Whatever you look into IMO it should have a rich and warm character to meld with the Focals.


rollo
Click to expand...

cheers - have you got a link to the CJ gear..?
 
ok guys - I've settled on the Myryad MP100 (pre amp) and MA120 (power amp)...got a good price too... :)
 
rollo said:
Good luck and happy listening.

rollo
Click to expand...

cheers - I've read good reviews - tho I think the ma240 power amp would have been better - but that was out of my budget at the present time...
 

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