Thanks for all of the input.
Martykl: That's the issue I'm running into, not being able to find information as to whether the sub output is summed when in stereo or bypass mode (most manufacturers make no reference to it in their documentation). At the moment Im using primarily digital sources but I have a wonderful Kuzma turntable tone arm combo that will be put back into service soon. I have about an $800 budget at the moment and would much rather go with a higher quality used, vintage pre-amp/processor with higher sound quality than a newer unit with potentially more processing power.
Kr4: Thats exactly what Ive found doing my research but the McIntosh units Im finding are out of my current price range, even used.
Jdodmead: Thanks, Ill take a look at Arcams products and see what I can find out.
Willand: I have not heard any other amp that will belt out really low end bass through a good sub with the authority that an A250 does. I worked in an audio specialty store in Norhtern NY in the 1990s early 2000s and we specialized in finding affordable equipment that had the most bang for the buck as the owner put it. I never got to audition any really high end equipment (in the $5K+ range) but the sales reps would bring new equipment from a wide range of manufacturers all of the time and I did get to experience a large variety of different equipment. I listened to maybe as many as 100 different amps over the decade I worked there and nothing came close to the A250 for 20Hz 30Hz bone rattling bass. We designed custom speaker kits and after hearing 100s of custom made and name brand speakers I came to the realization that 2-way satellites paired with good subs was what worked for me. But after years of auditioning equipment and helping to fine tune speaker systems I fell into the awful trap of not being able to listen to the music any more. All I could hear was the sonic weaknesses in the equipment. That paired with the terrible, nasally glare that emanated from the CD systems of the 90s made it impossible for me to enjoy listening to much of anything other than my vinyl collection (5000+ LPs) and after my daughter was born there was no room for even that (physical room that is).
But after a decade away from it I am finally finding that Im able to listen to music again and with my shiny new 50 3D plasma TV and the acquisition of a used ACT-3 and A200x3 I jumped into Home Theater. But space limitations necessitate that my HT and music system be one and the same which is what brought me to Audiogon and the forums looking for advice from other audio/HT enthusiasts.
We started selling Paradigm speakers right at the end of my tenure at The Sound Room and they made some decent sounding speakers. I have not had any experience with the X-30 xover but I will look into it, thanks.
Martykl: That's the issue I'm running into, not being able to find information as to whether the sub output is summed when in stereo or bypass mode (most manufacturers make no reference to it in their documentation). At the moment Im using primarily digital sources but I have a wonderful Kuzma turntable tone arm combo that will be put back into service soon. I have about an $800 budget at the moment and would much rather go with a higher quality used, vintage pre-amp/processor with higher sound quality than a newer unit with potentially more processing power.
Kr4: Thats exactly what Ive found doing my research but the McIntosh units Im finding are out of my current price range, even used.
Jdodmead: Thanks, Ill take a look at Arcams products and see what I can find out.
Willand: I have not heard any other amp that will belt out really low end bass through a good sub with the authority that an A250 does. I worked in an audio specialty store in Norhtern NY in the 1990s early 2000s and we specialized in finding affordable equipment that had the most bang for the buck as the owner put it. I never got to audition any really high end equipment (in the $5K+ range) but the sales reps would bring new equipment from a wide range of manufacturers all of the time and I did get to experience a large variety of different equipment. I listened to maybe as many as 100 different amps over the decade I worked there and nothing came close to the A250 for 20Hz 30Hz bone rattling bass. We designed custom speaker kits and after hearing 100s of custom made and name brand speakers I came to the realization that 2-way satellites paired with good subs was what worked for me. But after years of auditioning equipment and helping to fine tune speaker systems I fell into the awful trap of not being able to listen to the music any more. All I could hear was the sonic weaknesses in the equipment. That paired with the terrible, nasally glare that emanated from the CD systems of the 90s made it impossible for me to enjoy listening to much of anything other than my vinyl collection (5000+ LPs) and after my daughter was born there was no room for even that (physical room that is).
But after a decade away from it I am finally finding that Im able to listen to music again and with my shiny new 50 3D plasma TV and the acquisition of a used ACT-3 and A200x3 I jumped into Home Theater. But space limitations necessitate that my HT and music system be one and the same which is what brought me to Audiogon and the forums looking for advice from other audio/HT enthusiasts.
We started selling Paradigm speakers right at the end of my tenure at The Sound Room and they made some decent sounding speakers. I have not had any experience with the X-30 xover but I will look into it, thanks.