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?

parkergetdean

@parkergetdean 

The Odyssey Kismet is hideous indeed, but their other products are plain-looking and, to my eyes at least, inoffensive. 

Odyssey (unlike Bryston!) does have a 20-year warranty. Labor is free for the first 2 years, and $20/hr (yes, $20/hr) thereafter.

Their Cyclop integrated amp is $1,095 brand new. Look at the specs, build quality, and power supply, and it seems really hard to beat at that price. 

https://odysseyaudio.com/cyclops-integrated-amplifier/

 

@devinplombier I have looked at it many times. over the last few years. I like the minimalist design. 

It's not an integrated amp. It's a power amp with volume control. It has one input. In my spoiled ambitious world (void of longing for Canada or Greenland) I would like 2 inputs, one for my CD player and one for my turntable.

@parkergetdean 

True, just one single input. Odd design choice.

The thing is though, good high-current integrated amps are few and far between, all the more so under $1,500.

 

@devinplombier yes, I know, my budget makes it hard. 

But anyone could make it happen from an unlimited budget, where is the fun or challenge in that?

I had the Cyclops Extreme SE ... it was excellent...I connected a DAC to the one input, and had CD Transport, Streamer, CD Changer all hooked into the 1 input...lots of great choices have been presented here, even at your budget...