2. amps-preamps
  3. 1013027494

My first amp purchase

I'm in the process of putting together my first "real" system. I've had Sony gear powering Energy speakers during my college years, but I'm a big boy now and it's time to enter the real world of separates.

I have just purchased the Monitor Audio Gold Reference 60's and other speakers in that line.

Here's my question....

What SS amp should I buy now that will really last for the long haul? My uncle has always told me to save up and buy the best because they will last the longest and sound the best - he's had his lexicon setup forever, and it still sounds amazing. I want to make my amp the next big purchase, because the world of pre amps seems to be changing so quickly. I'm assuming the longer I can put off buying a great pre amp the better the technology will be. In the meantime, I can just get a cheap used pre amp before I move up. THINK AMPS RIGHT NOW GUYS!

The thing is, I don't want to drop $2k now on a great used amp and then some amazing new amp technology comes out in like 5 years that makes what I spent my hard earned money on basically useless. Should I just get a generic integrated unit right now and wait five years or what?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated
jasonalanpowell

Showing 1 response by bob_bundus

bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
Craig's suggestion re: McCormack is definitely a good starting point; the gear is very affordable & is good quality. The DNA-1 or DNA-2 is nice but get the Deluxe model, a noticable improvement over stock for only a few more $.
Regarding preamp I would absolutely avoid skimping on that piece. Everything downline depends upon a quality signal from the pre, and a cheap pre will also veil the quality of every source component that passes through it. Many hobbiests put the most $ into their preamp which is money well spent. My pre cost considerably more than any of my amps did, even considering used prices.
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