Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

[maynardg]

My 1973 Accuphase P-300 power amp has quit - for the moment at least. The protection circuits have kicked in and I have flashing meter lights and no sound. I will get it repaired at some point.

I've subbed in the Anthem PV-2 (105W - 8 ohm).
http://www.anthemav.com/products/ant...a-series/pva-2
Not beefy enough for me.

In any event, this has triggered thinking about a new amp. <$1000 total.

1) High power, 200W/channel 8 ohm min, with lots of reserve capacitance.
2) I'm not a fan of etched sound - more a fan of a warm sound.
3) Monoblocks OK.

Anyone have experience with the Emotiva XPA-2 or UPA-1?

Other recommendations?

And please, don't tell me silicon amps all sound the same. I'm not accountable for your inability to hear the differences.

[cwad8505]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

Fits in the budget... and I know it'll not disappoint!
Carver M-1.0t MKII op 2 upgraded
I recently bought one. They are old amps that are completely gone through and modified. There are basically 2 guys that do this. I got mine from Russ Kall. If you're interested, I'll send him a message to see if he has any close to being done. He had one on fleabay yesterday, but it appears it has sold. His are $700, but he also changes out the LED's to blue and warranties the product for his lifetime... can't beat that!
Hope this helps,
Chris

[martyh]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

http://emotiva.com/xpa2.shtm

Brand new to it Maynard. But this much I know:

• The bass is more authoritative
• The mids are richer, and...
• My Eros MK II's are happier than they've ever been.

I definitely need a pre-amp to compliment it, but it's been one heck of an investment/Christmas present!

Marty

[dwigle]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

Sorry to hear about the P300. A friend let me borrow his XPA-2 for my Acoustat 3s. I currently use an Adcom 5800. The Acoustats are a tough load. They put my P300s into shutdown mode.

The Adcom is fine with the load and I thought sounded pretty good until I heard the XPA-2. Better in every way. HF is grain free and airy, LF is tighter. I paid $450 for the Adcom, used. A new XPA-2 for $800 is a steal.

[maynardg]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

Sorry to hear about the P300. A friend let me borrow his XPA-2 for my Acoustat 3s. I currently use an Adcom 5800. The Acoustats are a tough load. They put my P300s into shutdown mode.

The Adcom is fine with the load and I thought sounded pretty good until I heard the XPA-2. Better in every way. HF is grain free and airy, LF is tighter. I paid $450 for the Adcom, used. A new XPA-2 for $800 is a steal.

Yes, I'm not sure what happened. The load was a new set of speakers I'm working on - should not have been a problem. Never goes below 3.5ohms, no weird phase angles.

I'll probably send it up to Glen McDonald in KC for repair. I hate to abandon it. But, perhaps technology moves on.

[jinjuku]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

Sorry to hear about the P300. A friend let me borrow his XPA-2 for my Acoustat 3s. I currently use an Adcom 5800. The Acoustats are a tough load. They put my P300s into shutdown mode.

The Adcom is fine with the load and I thought sounded pretty good until I heard the XPA-2. Better in every way. HF is grain free and airy, LF is tighter. I paid $450 for the Adcom, used. A new XPA-2 for $800 is a steal.

That grain that you hear in the HF on the Adcom is what the proponents call 'Warm'.

I picked my Crown XLS 402D with a 5v supply thrown on the fans was a steal at $179 NIB. Compared to my recently sold Adcom 5503 and the Parasound HCA 1000A that I own. Well I prefer the 402D.

[djg]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

Outlaw Audio M200/M2200 Monoblocks. 200@ 8 Ohms, 300@ 4 Ohms.

Class D Audio kits.

[GranteedEV]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

I would probably lean towards...

Hypex NC400
ATI 2002 from classic audio parts / audiogon
Crown XLS1500
Emotiva UPA-1 Dual mono

The above four would be my leading candidates.

[Face]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

Used Wyred 4 Sound ST500(250 8ohm/550 4ohm)

[fastbike1]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

Anything like this appeal to you?
http://www.zzounds.com/item--CWNXTI1002 or

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHNU3000DSP


Straight power amp:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--CWNXLS1500

[Paul K.]

Re: Slightly OT: Need a two-channel power amp recommendation

I have two recommendations: A used (don't know that you can still get a new one) Adcom 5802 which puts out 300 wpc into 8 ohms and usually available on Audiogon for $700-850. I've never heard one, however, so I'm basing this on others' comments and reviews. My second suggestion I listen to every day, a Quad 909. It doesn't quite have the power you want, 140 wpc/8 ohms but it has a wonderful midrange and is highly regarded. You can get a used one on Audigon for $900 or less.
Paul