Brute power cheap?? Adcom Vs. Rotel vs. NAD


I my never ending neurosis about what to reccomend to my buddy (you guys know I am even worse about my own rig) who has Maggie 3.6's.Yes Yes Bryston,Sim,Bel Canto they all seem appetising but he has a limtied budget.Rotel 1090 would be good with 380 watts but used prices are too high at $1500.So two NAD 218THX's bridged to give what is it 700 wats (1100?) or go with Adcom GFA 5802 at 300 watts.Impression is that (without bridging) the NAD has more bass but a thicker sound.My tendency is towards an Adcom 300 should do it, amp remains balanced (NAD when bridged becomes un-balanced)and i think the Adcom has a warmer character.Thoughts gentleman?
chazzbo

Showing 1 response by docwarnock

I have a set of smaller Maggies in a second system that I replaced amplification for about a year ago. I did mucho auditioning and will give you my impressions.

1) Rotel 1080 was precluded because it doesn't like low impedance loads.
2) Adcom amps struck me as having a bright top end, not to my liking.
3) NAD 218 has a solid bottom end, but not as much detail in the high frequencies.
4) Parasound HCA 1500A has great mids and smooth and detailed top end, but a little soft in the bottom registers.
5) I've not auditioned the Hafler 9505, but the amp I replaced was a 20 year old DH200 still in fine working order. I do like the Hafler sound.

I chose the Parasound and have been pleased with it.

P.S. Regarding bridging, I ruled it out as bridged amps don't do well into low impedance loads and bass can get sloppy. I would consider two amps in vertical biamp over bridged mode. Two NAD 218's or Parasound 1500A's can be had used in the neighborhood of $1,000 total.