What do you consider audiophile performance? Features?
The key you pointed out is the price. Sure you could go out and listen to Sim Audio, BAT, Theta Krell and the like, but none of these you'll find for $3,000 or less used. If you did they would be sold in a heartbeat. As suggested the EAD PM1000 and the Bryston amps are fine amps but they have their weaknesses. For the $$ you looking at they are great. The PM1000 going rate is from $1500-1900 if you can find one. These have more power the Bryston. Sherbourn for the $$ also makes a nice amp as well.
The PM2000 however is one extremely fine amp and you may find one for $3000-5000 used. Look for 20 amp option and the newer transformer. All balanced connections. Other wise raise the bar on money and you may squeeze out 5-10% better performance. Still not likely with against a PM2000 which at this point has not been confirmed, but I hear EAD/ADT are not made any longer.
Regards,
Jimmy
The key you pointed out is the price. Sure you could go out and listen to Sim Audio, BAT, Theta Krell and the like, but none of these you'll find for $3,000 or less used. If you did they would be sold in a heartbeat. As suggested the EAD PM1000 and the Bryston amps are fine amps but they have their weaknesses. For the $$ you looking at they are great. The PM1000 going rate is from $1500-1900 if you can find one. These have more power the Bryston. Sherbourn for the $$ also makes a nice amp as well.
The PM2000 however is one extremely fine amp and you may find one for $3000-5000 used. Look for 20 amp option and the newer transformer. All balanced connections. Other wise raise the bar on money and you may squeeze out 5-10% better performance. Still not likely with against a PM2000 which at this point has not been confirmed, but I hear EAD/ADT are not made any longer.
Regards,
Jimmy