AudiogoN Forums: Ultimate Amplifier for the next 20 Years

Ultimate Amplifier for the next 20 Years

Hello all!
Well, you I am again on the amplifier merry-go-round after my last digital amp(noname mentioned!) let me down in the dumps after a comparison with a Halo A21 amp. I had a keen ear friend who reviews for Stereo Times and he felt the same. Musical instruments more real sounding with better decay. Man was I surprised after thinking that the digital amp was my last! BTW, the most important part, my speakers are a pair of Apogee Studio Grands in beautiful piano black!! Now the digital amp is on subwoofers in which it has ALOT of punch! The perfect(but not cheap) subwoofer amp! High damping factor, runs cool, dual posts to run four(4) subs if you choose to and never runs out of juice!!

Anyway, I want to keep it under $5000 used or new. Prefer 2 channel amp and maybe monoblocks. Amp can't run too hot(very important)! My pre/pro is a Lexicon MC12B.
Here are my amps that I'm considering in order:

Classe CA2200- Runs class A up to 60 watts! Right now I have a dealer making me a killer offer. Probably the one I'm going to buy...

McCormack DNA500- My big second choose!

Theta Dreadnaught II- Since I have a 8.4 sound system but don't need alot of power for the other speakers, this would be the perfect multichannel amp for me(remember the .4 is powered by my digital amp). One BIG problem, it runs tooo freakin’ hot!

NuForce 9.2- Hearing great things.

Krell FBC300Cx- Jason Bloom ran only krell amps with Apogees.

Please add your thoughts on any comparison on these amps or a new one that you think are superior. I want this to be my last amp purchase for a long time! Right.... ; )

THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP ON THIS MATTER!!!
Best,
Paul

Ptheo (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

12-18-05

Responses (1-45 of 45)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

12-18-05 Presently i'm using an innersound esl amp with my vmps rm 40 ... Warnerwh

12-18-05 Warnerwh-thanks for the reply. i have actually have owned in ... Ptheo

12-18-05 Http://www.classeaudio.com/reviews/index.htm Ptheo

12-18-05 Hi ptheo - true class a at 60 watts per channel is defintel ... Audiokinesis

12-18-05 I'm also using a pair of apogee studio grands. they are real ... Ghostrider45

12-18-05 Put some tubes on those apogees, i'm running my duetta signa ... Sogood51

12-18-05 my question is, what is too hot? having owned a ca-2200, i ... Brianmgrarcom

12-18-05 Audiokinesis- thanks for the info. i understand that the cla ... Ptheo

12-18-05 Ahhh, i should have also thought about "what is to hot& ... Sogood51

12-18-05 Brianmgrarcom- please tell me more about your system and wha ... Ptheo

12-18-05 I do have one question though about the classe delta series. ... Ptheo

12-18-05 I've heard the ca2200 driving a pair of b&w 802d, and it sou ... Gliderguider

12-18-05 My two cents = the last amp, is the goldmund, try the mimesi ... Sdrconsultant

12-18-05 The way digital amplification is evolving, no one can say th ... Plato

12-18-05 The parasound jc1's would drive your apogees and i believe t ... Warnerwh

12-18-05 I have plinius 102 right now and it runs freaking hot ! (at ... Elberoth2

12-18-05 The odyssey extreme monoblocks have lots of power (200-300 w ... Mdhoover

12-18-05 Sdrconsultant- i would love to try a goldmund but way to exp ... Ptheo

12-18-05 Thank you everyone and happy holidays!!! to be continued tom ... Ptheo

12-18-05 I'll second the dna-500 - have had mine about 8 months and a ... Fplanner2000

12-18-05 Nothing on the original post list is a 20 year amp. and the ... 213cobra

12-19-05 Paul, you mention the nuforce. srajan at 6moons has made s ... Audiofankj

12-19-05 Sounds like you're set on the classe, paul. enjoy! Boa2

12-19-05 I've got a levinson 331 driving a pair of aerial 10ts. the ... Mdconnelly

12-19-05 I'm going to toss yet another vote in for the jc-1s. i acqui ... Curriemt11

12-19-05 Ptheo, i no longer have the ca-2200, but i used it with the ... Brianmgrarcom

12-19-05 I second the odysseys, never break room temp. unless you are ... Matrix

12-20-05 Well i still haven't bought the classe! the dealer told me t ... Ptheo

12-20-05 Paul, you might ask ejlif about his jc1's. they are on mult ... Boa2

12-20-05 Ptheo, i couldn't tell all the "why's" that the k ... Brianmgrarcom

12-20-05 You can get a demo pass labs 250.5 from audio-video logic fo ... Pardales

12-20-05 Paul, i really think that your concern about heat generated ... Curriemt11

12-20-05 Mdconnelly: i also heard the butler amps before getting the ... Fplanner2000

12-20-05 Another excellent choice, used for about 3500-4000 is the ga ... Sheffb

12-20-05: Nglazer
The Krell 300cx fits the bill. Forget what some say about Krell amps, this one is dynamic, transparent and sweet, is built like the proverbial tank and mates perfectly with a tube pre (with minor internal adjustment a dealer otr you can do)or a SS pre. I have used it with both.

Neal
Nglazer (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

12-20-05 Fplanner2000 - i suspect you're right but buying the dna 500 ... Mdconnelly

12-20-05 Belles 350a should run very cool and has lots of power. it's ... Warnerwh

12-21-05 Thanks for the replies/info! still no killer amp!! i came v ... Ptheo

12-21-05 There are some ayre v-1xe's on audiogon now that might fit t ... Mattkimb96

12-22-05 Www.zusaudio.com "lifetime warranty on parts and labou ... Loudandclear

12-23-05 Mattkimb96- the ayre v-1xe looks like a great amp. but i thi ... Ptheo

12-23-05 I'd get the delta ca 2200 amp long before the cam 200. i ow ... Mr_bill

12-28-05 I agree with mdconnelly about the butler 2250. i'm using 2 ... Mantis007

12-29-05 viola audio labs: 1) spirito modular preamp / bravo amps. 2 ... Mehdi

12-29-05 Go and get a pass labs x-350 amp, tons of power, the best se ... Null1