Threshold, Levinson, Bryston, Krell, ?others? used amps



Hi All.  I'm looking for a bang for the buck, diamond in the rough, 200-ish WPC power amp that will hang really tough with what's out there today in the vintage or recently new realm.  Trying to keep $$$ under 2K.  I currently own a Nakamichi PA-7 (Nelson Pass Stasis design).  Looking for an amp that is great at doing the disappearing act, smooth sounding, but not colored, and with lots of authority.  I realize that there are as many opinions on this as stars in the night sky but thought I would ask anyway.  Been considering a Threshold S/500, Levinson 23.5, Bryston 4B family.  Any standouts that I should try to find?  Let's hear from you.
mjt_tx

Showing 1 response by jaytor

You might also consider Parasound. They have been offering excellent value for a long time. 

One thing to keep in mind, is that the older the amp is, the more likely it will be that the capacitors are reaching the end of their useful life. If the amp hasn't been recapped, you will likely have a hefty bill in your future for amps that are more than 15 or so years old. 

With the changes in ownership of many prestigious classic brands like Krell, Levinson, Classe, Threshold..., it is getting harder and more expensive to get good service on the older models. While some of the older amps from these brands still deliver excellent performance, the cost of ownership may not make these older amps quite the bargain they initially appear.