Help Me Shop for (probably used) 2 Channel Integrated Amp

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O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I'm looking for a two channel amp that will be used with my HTPC for music, movies, and general TV viewing though the emphasis will be on music for the most part. Right now I'm using an Adcom GFA-545 (power amp) but that is less than ideal since I have no volume gain and no remote.

I've been browsing Audiogon for the past few days and have found a few prospects; a Denon PMA-200IVR which looks like a very solid amp and few others brands I'm not familiar with. I'd like to keep it around $500.

Denon PMA-200IVR
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1284773504&/Denon-pma-2000ivr

Primare I21
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1282573185&/Primare-I21

Jolida 1501RC
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1282983610&/Jolida-1501RC

Another option would be a new Onkyo A-9555
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-Integrat...9722615&sr=1-1

Thoughts, suggestions?

*EDIT*

I neglected to mention that I've been into DIY speakers for awhile now and I'll be progressively moving up the quality latter (think $2000 + retail equivalent) so I need an amp thats not going hold me back quality wise and also be friendly with lower impedance designs.
 
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slashbinslashbash

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,945
8
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If I were in your shoes, I'd keep the Adcom and just buy a preamp. Old stereo preamps are pretty cheap nowadays. I found an Adcom GTP-450 on fleabay for $182 shipped. No remote, though. And... scrolling down, there's another one, with remote, for $228 shipped. Cheaper solution, re-uses your old gear, probably equal or better results.
 
O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
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That is what I was going to originally do but I've heard mixed things about Adcom's mid range pre-amps. I also like the idea of going down to one component vs. a power amp and pre-amp.

The Adcom is 15+ years old, and while amp technology has changed little I'm sure they have made some strides since then in terms of quality.
 
O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
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That Peachtree looks pretty cool, though I thought I would just go with a dedicated DAC when the time comes, maybe a small unit I can just hide away.

It's a bit of a stretch but the other thought I had was to actually get a higher-end 5.1 receiver and use that for the time being. That way I could have to sets of speakers and use its 5.1 amp for movies and get a power amp for two channel music and use the receiver as a pre-amp and DAC. Specifically I was looking at this NAD.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intamult&1283805759&/NAD-T-755
 
O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
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Randomly came across an interesting Pioneer Elite 2 channel receiver that I've never heard about. Its only 55 watts which is a bit lower than I wanted but it seems to be a true dual mono design. It also appears to be a pretty decent DAC with USB input which means if amp isn't that great I could always bypass it and is it as pre-amp and DAC.

Just can't seem to find much about....

Canadian Hi-Fi review.
http://www.canadahifi.com/Pioneer_E...plifier_and_PD-D6-J_CD_SACD_Player_review.php

Pioneers page.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/P...nt/AudioComponents/Hi-FiAudio/ci.SX-A9-J.Kuro
 
O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
0
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ericlp said:
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150_about.html

you could try looking for this. It's a bit more then you want to spend but you might find one used. I hear a lot of good things about this amp.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Outlaw-Retro-Re...wItem&pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item1e5d06e6af

just gotta keep a look out for them...
Click to expand...

Hmm... yeah, I've actually seen that Outlaw before, looks like solid amp with the features I'm looking for, the bass management is nice bonus. I'll revisit it for sure, thing is I really don't care for the looks of it, we'll see.

Howard said:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-383

You're welcome

EDIT: If you're into DIY, you can do what I did and build yourself an opamp-based preamp. Very simple.
Click to expand...

I want something that is standard AV equipment sized, and I've actually never heard a Tripath amp before so I'm not sure I'd want it for my main amp. Also want something with a remote.

I asked around on the Parts Express forums too and I've had a couple more experienced builders vouch for the Elite 2 channel amps so I think I may go with the SX-A9-J. I think it will be a solid pre-amp and DAC, and if amp section ever comes up short I can always buy a bigger power amp or build one.
 
ericlp

ericlp

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,137
225
106
T-amp's are awesome... But they have a few or made a few that are discontinued that actually had remotes ... Maybe one day they will make a tamp based 5.1 channel receiver. I guess we will just have to wait
 
A

alcoholbob

Diamond Member
May 24, 2005
6,390
469
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How many tripath chips would you need daisy-chain to turn it into a receiver? I would imagine quite a few.
 
N

najames

Senior member
Oct 11, 2004
393
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Warning - I spent far too much time hacking around testing computer music.

I settled on a Chaintech sound card I had on hand, output digital (optical?) sound to a Gamma 2 DAC, then output to an old Rotel preamp/amp. I use an old pair od B&W 610 speakers.

I personally think that the key to good sound is digital out to a good DAC after that I'd say any decent older amp will work. Try foobar for your PC player too.
 
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O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
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Well I went with the Pioneer Elite for $500 which seems like a pretty good deal for new gear.

We'll see how it dose, but I think it will be fine. It looks like it has a pretty nice Burr Brown DAC, and a good pre-amp section. It looks like a lot of work went into the amp section as well (true dual mono design), my main concern is the 60 watts into 8 ohms is significantly less than my Adcom. But in reality thats not much of an issue anyway, this isn't going to be the be all end all amp for me, just something good to get started with.
 
O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
0
0
Right now I'm using TriTrix MTs. They are a pretty small 5 1/4 two way monitor using the Dayton Classic drivers.

Design page.
http://www.speakerdesignworks.com/TritrixMT_pg_1.html

Pic of my build.
http://a.imageshack.us/img145/8225/issixcoatstungoil052709.jpg

I also have my Dad's old DCM Timewindow's but I prefer the TriTrix so the DCMs don't get much use. In terms of power the DCMs can take a ton of power, more than the Adcom and supply while I can easily exceed the Xmax on the TriTrix.

I also plan on building at least one speaker before this summer is out. I was thinking about an 8" 2-way, specifically I was looking at Mark K's all Dayton Reference (though I would probably build it as a tower) as I already have the tweeters.
http://www.audioheuristics.org/projects_gallery/RS225_RS28A_updates/dayton_reference_rs225.htm
 
O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
0
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Yeah, thats certainly the case. The Elite should be good enough to get into some of the higher-end builds without holding me back. At that point I can upgrade to a power amp and later down the road to separate pre and DAC.

Though I do have to say the TriTrix are pretty good speakers (even if you don't factor in their cost), probably somewhere along the lines of Polk RTi in terms of overall performance. Have you heard them by chance?

Thanks for the links. Zaph I was aware of and closely follow, Ged Lee however I haven't heard much about. His designs seem to be geared more towards studio or pro (wave guides, and lightweight paper cones).

Like I said I was kinda leaning towards trying an 8" two-way for the bass performance (and visual impact of a 8" woofer). Mark's designs are all well regarded so any of his speakers are gold, the only downside to that particular design is the crossover complexity drives up the cost but thats what you get with metal coned woofers/mids.
 
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Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
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Operandi said:
Thanks for the links. Zaph I was aware of and closely follow, Ged Lee however I haven't heard much about. His designs seem to be geared more towards studio or pro (wave guides, and lightweight paper cones).
Click to expand...
Nah. If anything, his products, or the derivatives of his work (Audio Kinesis, etc.) are mostly prevalent in the home audio sector.
 
KGB

KGB

Diamond Member
May 11, 2000
3,042
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If, down the road, you want to build a nice project... check out a Nelson Pass F-5 power amp.

Google it. It will not disappoint.
 
O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
0
0
KGBMAN said:
If, down the road, you want to build a nice project... check out a Nelson Pass F-5 power amp.

Google it. It will not disappoint.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Nelson Pass is a legend. He did a lot of design for Adcom too.

I'll definitely keep it in mind but I was thinking my first DIY would be something a little more simple like a chip amp. Perhaps a Gainclone.
 
SlickSnake

SlickSnake

Diamond Member
May 29, 2007
5,235
2
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Too bad you already took the plunge. If you have buyers remorse, Harman Kardon practically gives away 2 channel refurb 120 and 80 watt 8 ohm receivers capable of driving 4 ohm loads here:

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio

Seriously, they frequently go for ridiculously cheap prices. They offered several top of the line H/K 3490 a few days ago and one closed for like $220, but now I only see the H/K 3390-Z 2 x 80 watts per channel one.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Mfg Model: HK 3490 [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2 x 120W Receiver[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The insanely powerful Harman Kardon HK 3490 combines all of an audiophile's must-haves (high-performance phono preamp, preout/main-in jacks, high-current amplification) with an array of multichannel extras (digitial-audio inputs, video switching, dual subwoofer outputs and Dolby Virtual Speaker technology). Add The Bridge II docking station, and the HK 3490 will connect as elegantly to your newfangled iPod as it does to your time-honored turntable. The HK 3490 isn't a snob about where the music comes from, as long as it sounds great when it reaches its final destination — your ears. Bridge II is compatible with this model. [/FONT]
 [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
You can browse the full specs here:

[/FONT]http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=HK%203490&status=

Personally, I love all the H/K gear long time sailor boys. And I just bought 2 refurb receivers to upgrade my 2 HTs to drive my various Infinity Interludes and Betas to prove it.
 
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Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Operandi said:
Yeah, Nelson Pass is a legend. He did a lot of design for Adcom too.

I'll definitely keep it in mind but I was thinking my first DIY would be something a little more simple like a chip amp. Perhaps a Gainclone.
Click to expand...
I can sell you my gainclone kit, partially assembled
 
O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
0
0
I've had the Elite for a little more than a weak now but I just today got the chance to put it through its paces with some music and I have to say I'm pretty damned impressed with the sound and my expectations have been met and exceeded.

I haven't done a direct comparison but compared with the Adcom but this amp sounds a bit more forward, the details seem more pronounced and the overall sound is bigger and wider. Bass also seems to have been improved; it has more control and presence, something I wasn't really expecting considering the small size of the TriTrix.

This amp shows that the TriTrix still had more to offer but now I'm really looking forward to building some better speakers :).

Next step is to try the amp's DAC with the USB input.

Also, the build on this amp is very nice. Thick AL face plate, machined volume, and input knobs. And very heavy duty insulated binding posts though they oddly don't accept banana plugs.

Howard said:
I can sell you my gainclone kit, partially assembled
Click to expand...

Thanks but I think it will be awhile. I have (want) to build at least one or two sets of speakers. After that I'll have to take it easy on the spending for awhile.
 
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