@parkergetdean another vote here for the Marantaz MM7025. I use it to drive a pair of Focal Aria 926 speakers and can drive it to audio levels I am quite uncomfortable with. I have played a lot of the test tracks on my system that are prevalent at the audio shows and to my ear it passes the test. Since that amp has been out awhile you can find them used as well, I got mine on this site for $500 from a fellow who was upgrading to a 200 watt amp.
used power amp under 1500
I started with a great system and I managed to downgrade it to an OK sound through a lot of trades, sales, questionable decisions and shrinking budget. (No regrets, it's been a fun journey.) I ended up with very low sensitivity, hard to drive speakers and now I need more power. Will 100 Watts be enough and is it OK and safe to buy used? Any brands that are a good value at $1500?
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Another positive vote for Aragon, either 4004 or the newer 8008. I bought a new a 4004 for about $1,850 in 1992 that I upgraded to a used Krell KSA-200S (that retailed new for $7,500).The Aragons double power into 4 ohms so 400wpc. I see your speakers aren’t efficient at 86db, but I doubt their impedance drops as low at my Martin-Logan electrostatic hybrids. I still own the Aragon 24K preamp with optional phono (MM/MC). Never any problems with them. Both will be used as they were made by Mondial when they owned Aragon. The new Aragon lineup has a new owner and the 2 channel stereo amp is over $10,000. I would also consider a used Krell integrated such as a KAV-400XI OR KAV-500I which would drive them great and can be had for under $2K. The KAV series from Krell was designed to operate more in AB than the hot and heavy Class A amps; they marketed them as more affordable, especially for the home theater market. |
@bhenry91 I am a Classe fan. I have a CAP-150 integrated to look at soon. The DR9 also looks good, 2 of them on Audiomart. @larryincmh Thanks! Marantz is in the my search list @emann50 45 years is epic! @cooperdude6 I am not a Krell person. I feel that’s higher end. And I admit, I care about the looks - to some extent as well.
I pulled the plug on a pair of Class D, made in China amps to try them out in mono mode. It’s an easy first step, 30 days trial, $800, never had class D, all that. The opposite of everything I wanted: not used, not USA or Canadian made, not vintage, not a big black beast. But at least I have a way to listen to music while hunting. Waiting for a pair of balanced cables, haven’t plugged it in yet.
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For $500-$700, you can pick up an M117 from Luxman and get 200 wpc from the Japanese McIntosh. I’ve used one on JBL Everest DD67000, Westminsters, Revel Salon 2, Canterburys, Apogee Studio Grands, and several others. I’ve been very pleased with all of those combinations. Best bang for a buck in audio. Using much more expensive power now, but honestly, that’s because of ego-driven pretentious tendencies. |
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