Opinion of Acurus 2 and 3 channel amplifiers is ... what?

Willand.

thx!

Very simple design but with mil spec parts.  
I will probably send my Acurus amps to these guys sometime in the near future.  Heard/read really good things about them.
https://www.ebcelectronics.com/acurus-a100x3-Repair-Service.html

Bill

The internals of these Acurus amps are very simple, so any good electronics repair technician can do it.  There are just the two big 23,000 uf cabs for the main power supply and looks like just one small cap per amp board (probably 100uf).

Good to know.

When recapping amplifiers - do you suggest sending it back to mfgr or finding a local shop?  If local - what sort of shop would one take it to?

It can be as low at 10-15 years, depending on the electrolytic capacitor.  The electrolytic caps do dry out over usage and time due to heat during use.

Some believe they last longer when used a lot. But great variance. Like 15-25 years. Sound changes though amp still works. 

jl352.

Good point. 

Ok - so at what point should I expect to have to recap an amplifier - and how would I know when its time?

Sorry - for the stupid question. Just never had to do it.

Is lightly used vs more use better or worse - or indifferent - as it relates to having to recap etc?

just remember that the caps dry out with time, even if not used 

unsound...

As I recall - Acurus - was ’bang for the buck’ which is what I remember last time I heard them driving some old 801s at the shop I used to frequent. But if the Acurus won’t compliment my b&w’s - although seems like a good deal - I think I will take the advice and skip the deal.

Rotel and Parasound Halo seem to be on the top of every recommendation, but I know there are endless possibilities. I am trying to locate a Rotel or Parasound at a decent price. In the mean time -- I have seen some great gear for sale for decent price - so I would appreciate input on them if possible.

I will be soon acquiring a Marantz 7704. New. This week. If that makes a difference.

So - opinions on:

Bryston -
B&K
Parasound - older - HCA stuff?  
Lexicon ( rebadged bryston? )
Proceed ( Mark Levinson? )
Sunfire theater grand
McCormack
Vincent
Classe -

Thanks in advance.

I have the acurus a250, is a fine amp, and design.  I regret not buying the aragon gear at the time, which is the big brother of that manufacture.  that being said, acurus is a fine amp. its clean and has good power.  you wont go wrong if you purchase it.  I have them mated to a pair of axiom speakers out of Canada and they sound fantastic together.  the axiom are a very clean, clear and accurate speaker that works will with the acurus line.  

I purchased a new A200x3  in the 90's.  I used it in my home theater system for many years until I replaced it with a Parasound Halo. I then used the Acurus in my secondary 2 channel system for several more years. It never failed me and sounded very good. I sold it a coupe of years ago for about $450. The new owner was quite happy with the purchase.   

IME the Acurus amps had bass response way better than their cost and/or size might suggest. On the other hand; they had a dry chalky top end that I couldn’t live with, and doubt it would compliment the B&W house sound. YMMV.

After the second time sending my then new A250 back to Mondial to fix the same annoying buzz, I sold it. Note the buzz had been fixed again, I told the guy who bought it all about it, and have no clue if that pesky buzz reappeared...Mondial may have fixed it for him too! Note it sounded excellent when working properly, and I auditioned one of their preamps and that was great sounding, but by then I was a little too worried about the reliability. 

agree (as usual) with willand--i owned the a150 and was very pleased--very neutral and less colored than comparably priced b&k, parasound, adcom, etc.

willand.

Thx for the input.

Well, considering I own an A200 and A200x3 and have owned another A200, 200x3, pair of A150s, pair of 200FIVEs, a pair of A250s, A100, A100x3, I guess I will respond.

Can't say how the Acurus will sound with your B&W's but with my Klipsch RF-63/RC-64/RS-35s setup, they sound wonderful.  Great punch/bass drive and detail and surprisingly neutral with the horn loaded titanium compression drivers.

Of all the Acurus amps I have owned, none have failed in any way and have been quiet as a mouse though I am considering recapping my current pair due to their pushing 20 year age.

If you can get the pair for around $600.00, then I say go for it.  If it does not mate well with your B&Ws, then you should be able to recoup all $$$ with no problem.

Bill