Daddy Dee Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Rethinking a setup with Khorns. Merlin preamp is a given. What are good candidates for a SS power amp.... under $500. Probably want something under 60wpc. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Matthews Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Dee.............. [] (You know what I'm talkin' about). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z4! Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Monarchy Audio SM70 Pro! You may like it so much you get a 2nd for monoblocks [] ! The monos would not be within your stated budget but you know how that goes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Matthews Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 There you go! 2 tax-related signature lines in a row! [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Well, by now you know who I feel about my harmon kardon 330B and its twin-powered bigger brothers: quite the bargain for the buck. Yet the best solid-state amplifier I have heard for the money is the Red Wine Clari T digital amplifier (about #350 used). Very smooth, yet detailed and certainly stronger in the bass. Good enough for classic Klipsch corner Khorns, but still not the luscious tube mid-range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Come on Dee, go ahead and pair up that Merlin with some VRD's. They fit into your 60wpc sheme and will make those Khorns sing. Trust me on this. [] Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BS Button Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 I'll second that on the Monarchy, but make sure to get the pro with Klipsch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Lindsay, are you buying enough equipment fast enough? Have you heard the VRDs or did you decide on their excellent reputation here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Colin, Come to Orlando and hear my VRD's with BlueBerry Xtreme, andLa Scala/511B's. They will floor you. [] Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 I have used a single and pair of the Monarchy Audio SM 70 Pros with my Ground Grid tube preamp with very good results! But it is way over the $500 mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Wow, Dee, you are blowing my mind! I thought you had the ideal set-up with the Merlin, Dynaco Mark IIIs (beauties), and that Ah! Tjoeb. For a SS amp, the Teac (that I bought from you) rocks! What are you missing, my good (nah, great) friend? Dang, I wish I was in Arkansas tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago_Pete Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 McIntosh MC250 should do the trick at about $500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpm Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 for a grand, Rega Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidmack Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 How bout a Mac 2100? It's a 2105 minus the meters and it sells for lots less than the 05. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 Dee: There are a number of amps in that price range from Adcom, Rotel, and some others on Audiogon. They seem to be more in the 200 watt range, but I would say (which will doubtless seem ironic to some!) that more headroom is 'safer' than less. I know you don't need anywhere near that much power (nor do I), but more often than not, it's lower power driven too hard that sends tweeters in for repair. The Pass Labs Aleph 3 is an amp that's often looked interesting to me, although they tend to sell used for at least twice than your mentioned budget. I have seen pairs of the Monarchy amps listed above for under $1,000. They are built like tanks, and I used a stereo version here for a bit. It was fine with Klipschorns, although tiring, for me, for long-term listening. The Monarchy we tried also had an in-rush current thump that made me cringe. 'Gain-Clone' chip amps might be something to consider, too. Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarlton Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 "McIntosh MC250 should do the trick at about $500." I second the idea of the MC-250. Factor in about $177 to rebuild it. It should be good for another 30 years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 A tad over $500 at $750 used. ClassA 30 WPC: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1144787538 I take it you are looking for a "summer amp"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 One of the lowest prices I've seen for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted February 25, 2006 Author Share Posted February 25, 2006 Thanks guys. Some excellent food for thought here. I'm pretty happy with my system with Merlin/MarkIII sound. Will be moving in June, don't know yet if I'll have decent corners, housing is still up in the air. Just thinking about possibilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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