@markj941 - You're going to need to provide more information to get any informed recommendations. What speakers do you have? Are you looking for tube or solid state amps? What is your room size? What type of music do you prefer? How loud do you want to listen?
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I'm curious as to why you want to go for monoblock amps on a limited budget. Generally, you get more bang for your buck with fewer chassis'. I would think that $2000 would get you a better stereo amp than monoblock amps. $2500 would probably get you a better integrated amp. The more chassis' you want, the more $$$ you will need to spend. |
I hate to say it, but if you really want monoblocks for that price, the best you will probably do on recent stuff is Emotiva XPA-1 or 1L. Or look for some really old equipment. There's a set of Class M700 (90s) on ebay. like jmcgrogan2 - you're probably better off getting a stereo amp. For example, Parasound A21. |
I seriously doubt you can find ‘quality’ and newer tube monoblocks in your price range. While you considering your options, I would recommend looking into ATI’s Class D amps, I own a pair of 544 series amps and they are quite amazing. http://ati-amp.com/AT52XNC.php Prepare to pay more for monoblocks as jmcgrogan2 pointed out. |
@markj941 - As already stated, for a $2K budget you are likely going to have difficulty finding quality tube monoblocks. If they are enough power, you could use something like the Bottlehead Paramours, however most were built as kits and you have to be careful about the build quality. I built a pair for myself several years ago and they were pretty darn good driving a pair of Reference 3A MM DeCapo speakers in a small/medium sized room. Otherwise, you might find a pair of rebuilt Dynaco 35's, but again you have to consider condition/re-build quality. For something completely different, but also very good sounding, you could buy a pair of Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro's. They are stereo, but bridgeable. I had a pair and thought they sounded very good. I did have A/C noise problems with them and had to run them off of the same outlet to get rid of the hum. But on the same outlet, they sounded really good. Should be well within your budget, if you can find them. Honestly, with a $2k budget, I would stick to a stereo amp unless you simply had to get the amps off the audio shelf and located close to the speakers. You can buy lots of quality stereo amps within your budget. |
There's a nice pair of Consonance Cyber 800 monoblocks here on A'gon sold by Quest For Sound for $2200, modified AES/Cary six pack monoblocks on USAudiomart for $1500, Icon monoblocks also on USAudiomart for $2500, a pair of Cary SLM 100 on USAudiomart, a pair of Hyperion HT88 for $1450CAD on Canuck Audio Mart (CAM), and surely many others.... If you want tube monoblocks, there are plenty of good options for $2000 or so. Good luck! |
markj941, These guys are very reputable. I’ve been dealing with them for 15+ years. Classe’ M700 monos https://m.ebay.com/itm/Classe-M700-Pair-Mono-Blocks-Audible-Elegance-Cincinnati-Ohio-/162715839410?_... Good luck in your search. N |
I have a pair of Quicksilver Mid Monos , paid $1050 used, like new only a year and a half old.... honestly if I paid $1895 new i would still feel like it was a tremendous value...... 40 watts with stock EL34 which sound quiet good. 45 with KT88s , ive run them with both and really like the KT66 that are in them now..... put it this way, if i ever replace them I will never sell them. They are that good. And if i do it will be with a pair of 120 monos |
I concur with Dweller. In that price range Klaus Bunge of Odyssey can likely build you Khartago amps. I would recommend an upgrade to extremes. These amps for the money rival anything under $5k and I will tell you I have seen his bigger amps give $10k amps a run for their money. There are certainly better amps but these solid state units are pretty darn good. They are built in Indianapolis and based on a German design. |
A pair of wired M-125 monoblocks new would run you $800 above your budget but you'd be happy: http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm#M125 |
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What is the difference between two mono block amps and one dual-mono stereo amp? Many times you can get the dual-mono stereo amp or even an integrated dual mono stereo amp for a better price. http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/m6series/m6500i I had heard this one and it is very good, although this model is discontinued. |
tinlub, I owned a "Son of Ampzilla" back in the seventies. Great amp as I remember. Thanks for the memories. mofojo, I have the Jolida fusion pre, but haven't used it yet. I will look into the Odyssey product you mentioned. I'm currently using a Jolida fusion 801 integrated amp. Any comment on the comparison of the Odyssey vs the 801? |
@markj941 The SST Ampzilla 2000 mono blocks as well as the Son of Ampzilla 2000 are a different animal from the Ampzilla and Son of Ampzilla from the 70's. There is a new Son of Ampzilla II out now also and it is yet a different amplifier.... My recommendation was the Ampzilla 2000 Mono .Blocks There are a ton of reviews out there, here is 1 http://www.10audio.com/ampzilla_2000.htm |
Enthusiastically recommend the mono blocks by Electron Kinetics, now EKSC Eagle. The company was originally conceived by John Iverson after the breakup of Electro Research. The model 400's were the first mono blocks and many others have followed. Russell Sherwood acquired the company and has very substantial increased amplifier knowledge that has allowed all Electro Research, Electron Kinetics, and EKSC Eagle products to be upgraded to continue incredible performance from these earlier robust designs. I currently own a used pair of 11 Prime mono blocks. Very likely the crème de la crème of them all. These will be difficult to find as owners are often so pleased that they never let them out of their mitts, even gladly selling their tubed counterparts to own the Eagles! Look for EKSC Eagle branding as they have been upgraded and will perform exceedingly well. |
Thank you all for your input. I see I indeed have a considerable number of options in the $2000 range. Quicksilver, Odyssey, Classe’ M700 monos and Jolida jd 3000a to mention a few. Also, there's been comments on solid state as an option. Honestly, I thought "class D" amps were mostly for car installs and most receivers. What an education this site can provide. I've looked into both the Jeff Rowland 201's and Bel Canto ref500/ref1000. Can you help explain the pros and cons of a "D" amp hooked up to a tube pre? |
Last year I decided that I really did not like Class D amps. I have listened to them, but they are just too clean -- they are extremely clean, but they just did not reach out and grab me - it was just not emotionally engaging. I did not get excited listening to them. However, there a couple Class D monoblocks you could look at. These have discrete Class A input stages which will make the amps more rich sounding and engaging. Keep an eye out for a set of used PS Audio Stellar M700 monoblocks. You could also look at the Nord One Up or One Up SE monoblocks. Choose the Sparkos op amp for this as it is definitely a warmer/richer sound. I use Sparkos op amps in both my DAC and line mixer from my computer system and they are awesome sounding. |
I'd be cautious about wired VTA products. As built by VTA, the M-125's were very noisy, but can be quietened quite a bit. In my case, almost 40db. Complete instructions: http://ielogical.com/Audio/VTA_M-125.php |
Yepper on Odyssey. I sold my top of the line Kismet monos a year ago and still kicking myself in the ass. Try to score a pair in the Stratos cases. You can do more upgrades than in the Khartago cases. As good as they are re-sale is very affordable. Make sure you insure the shipment. Klaus’s boxes are not his strong suit. |
Two affordable suggestions with upgrade paths: 1. New Odyssey Khartago stereo chassis with Kismit upgrade. When funds allow, send it back to Odyssey to convert to more powerful monoblock and buy another one. They have a very affordable upgrade option to support this 2. Buy used older Khartago monoblocks (should be in your budget). When funds allow, send them back to be upgraded to Kismit level. Both of these options offer gutsy but balanced sounding solid state amps. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. |
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