The best 2 channel amp is a good used ARC amp. But who am I to say that, there are plenty of others with different experiences as noted above. To me the VT-100 amplifier at about 3-3.5K used Mint is about as good as it gets. I repeat again that I have not heard ANY solid state amp that competes with a great tube design in so far as the presence that is so readily evident in live music. The ARC products offer excellent transient response, great bass (certainly not quite the slam as a powerful Krell, Levinson, Threshold etc.) and the thing that tubes do SO WELL the presence "You are there" and the dynamic shadings of music. I might be able to live with solid state but I have never heard any solid state (I owned a Threshold for 3 years) compare with the best tube designs with ARC being at least among the very best. Ultimately trust your ears. I have heard the McCormack with Vandersteens at an audio show "Yawn" I was expecting more after hearing so many good things about the McCormack. Hey there isn't anything wrong with it it just ain't tubes. Unless you have an aversion to replacing tubes or have a low impedence speaker check the differences for yourself.
best 2 channels power amp around $3k?
Hi all, I'm looking for a 2 channels amp (150-200W) strictly for music stereo listening. My preamp is the Lexicon MC-1. I've heard so many good stuffs about Krell, Classe, Theta, Bryston, Plinius, Mc Cormack, Conrad Jonhson, etc... Anyway, I'm so confused trying to pick one for around $3k. Can y'all help me please? Thanks