2. amps-preamps
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Agoners: Need Advice! Have 3K to spend on an Amp, what do I do with no way to audition?

Looking for a solid State Amp, something that will go for 30 years or more (My Last Amp), so I don't need high maintenance, with at least 200 WPC @ 8 ohm load.  SO many to choose from...I've narrowed my choices down to several brands, due to the consistency of great reviews; Krell, Pass Labs, Audio Research, McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Classe.  Now looking serious at a couple by Krell or Pass.  I love most types of music, classical, jazz, rock, punk, electronica, metal, but not Rap & Country.  I love great detail in my music, fast and bold but rich and  warm, played soft or loud with a big soundstage, love bass slam and crisp highs, too much midrange hurts my ears. Which amp does it all???  Wife has me limited to this, you know how that is :(...Please help me out here folks...I've been in this dilemma for a few years, it's time to make a decision and buy! 
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ott
37 posts
 
There's a pair of PrimaLuna Prologue Premium monoblocks on Audiogon for just over $3K.  A friend has them, and they're lovely. 
biketech60
51 posts
 
Manufacturer-direct is one option. I have and recommend highly the Gilmore Audio Raptor Class D monoblock pair at $2500 . He's a gem to work with and these have both single-ended and balanced inputs . Power 250 watts/ ch. @ 8 ohms , 500 @4 ohms . They worked well with my Klipsch speakers and now also with my Spatial Audio Hologram M3 Turbo S . Most satisfying sound I've heard .
matthewd
1 posts
 
For the money you have budgeted for an Amp. I'd go Adcom. I've heard quite a few 3K+ rigs and the Adcom Amps are hard to beat. One of my favorites was the GFA-555II...I'm bi-amping with 2 Adcom GFA-5802's and love them. Those Amps would drive a short. There are some great used units on ebay. If I had the money? I'd buy the latest Adcom flagship...The GFA-575se.
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audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,782 posts
 

Man you are getting bad advice, if you have $3k to spend and you want your amplifier to last 30 years buying a 5 year or older conventional solid state amp won't do.

Most conventional solid state linear power supply amplifiers use lots of expensive capacitors, which will age and fail over time.

You can get an analog switching amplifier that will knock your socks off and you can get it brand new for $1595.00

You should look at a Nuprime ST 10 shockingly good amp, fast, detailed, smooth, incredible bass control and it runs cool and will last a long time.

Quite frankly you have to spend 3-4 times more money to get an amplifier which betters it.

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