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Review: Aragon 8008 BB Amplifier

Category: Amplifiers

I bought this used from a fellow audiogoner after he assured me I would be floored by the difference in quality I would soon experience. Let me just say that he was right, my movie watching (sadly) has gone way down. I just can't stop listening to music on my "new" system. I have never heard my speakers until now. The Aragons dual mono design and my Pre is dual mono as well, has given me outstanding imaging despite the limitations of my small listening area. Bass is now there! deep and powerful, no more listening fatigue or digititis! Blues, hard rock, classical, all sound great. I have been inspired to buy many remastered editions of my favorite albums because the better the recording, the more this baby shines. I thank the stars I bought this and now I'm looking at a BPT ac product to get my system the high quality current it now deserves.

Associated gear
Musical Fidelity Pre amp
Cal Audio Labs Alpha-Delta
Mirage M5si Bi Polar speakers

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None in this league, though I did upgrade from Adcom separates
zar
gammajo's avatar
gammajo
844 posts
 
I too love my 8008BB. Just upgraded to Von S VR4Sr's and they seem to love the amp, showing me how much more the 8008 can do well. The amp is also bullet proof. Twice in four years during installs live speaker cables touched and all that blew were the rail fuses. My area has much ambient lightening and surges - the amp has always come through these fine (I do use a surge protector but other equipment has failed because of the surges). And if you need information or service Steve at Aragon (866) 781-7284 is wonderful. Enjoy!
zar OP
185 posts
 
Sly and Gammajo, thanks so much for the input. I did the same thing (touching wires) and sadly I blew a transistor as well. a nearby repair shop set me up again for about 150.00 bucks. Sly, don't think I can do the 240v line lie you suggested but would a Richard Gray or Ps Audio=Bpt do fine plugged in my new dedicated line? it's 20 amp and wire is 12-4. Groundwire is 10 gauge. I have noticed a much more solid bass foundation since the new line was installed. The Signal Cable power cords and inters I bought also improved things slightly. I have to believe though that I do need to go the route of a popwer component because all thoise new cords and new line are being utilized with a monster power strip only. Amp is plugged into the wall. What do you guys think?
uppermidfi
277 posts
 
Zar, you paid $150.00 to have the fuse replaced? You could do it yourself for less than $3.00. The fuse is right under the lid. Make sure you are being EXTREMELY careful, but there really is little danger of hurting yourself. Remove the lid, replace the fuse, run like mad! If it doesn't explode you'll be fine till the next time you touch a couple of wires. : )

Nice catch, that's a good amp. You'll have to spend a lot more money to get something better, but it'll give you a taste of what is available, but at a reasonable price. I had one for several years, and I bought mine from a magazine reviewer several years after he wrote the review.

I'm not sure what you're asking with the power question, but ideally you should have a seperate circuit for the amp and another from the rest of the system.
zar OP
185 posts
 
Uppermid, a transistor blew out as well in addition to the fuse. I have no more room in the breaker box for another dedicated line, but I would think the cheap Monster power strip can be hugely improved upon with a good power component. that was my question, I guess. Mark
slv
87 posts
 
Zar,

You should get the benefits of common mode rejection with a balanced transformer that plugs into 115VAC power, like the BPT unit provides. I haven't used them myself, but the BPT power conditioners have received excellent reviews.

As far as your dedicated circuit is concerned, you should be fine with 12awg wire, especially if the wire length is relatively short. Personally, I like to use 10awg or larger wire, but I have fairly long wire runs.

Concerning the repair to your amp, I also shorted one of the speaker outputs when I first bought my amp. The result was blown fuses which I easily replaced, but when I called Aragon to see if I should send it in to be checked, they told me the internal component specs well exceeded the fuse rating and that nothing should be hurt, which it wasn't. I just wonder if your local repair shop was maybe a little less than honest with you - just wondering.

Again, I hope this helps. :o)
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