Opinions on 200w x 2 amplifiers

Posted by Alan L. Maier [SysOp] [IP: 38.27.144.135] on August 01, 1999 at 23:03:56
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In Reply to: Opinions on 200w x 2 amplifiers posted by Scott Redman on July 25, 1999 at 18:27:03:

Scott,

I would not avoid the Adcom GFA-5500, it is a good, sweet sounding power amp. Enough have been sold that they are popping up on the used market from time to time and bargains are to be had during the summer months.

Beside that option - I cast a hearty vote for the ATI. Never a bad work spoken about them, and they sound good.

Alan

: Hello All,

: I am in the process of putting together a new audio-only system. I am also in the process of building a new pair of speakers. I have been bitten by the DIY bug, and am building a pair of MTM monitors. Nominal impedance is 4 ohms. These speakers use the Seas P17 poly mid-bass, and Seas Excel tweeter.

: Along with the monitors, I am also building a pair of "subs" for lack of a better term. Each of these subs will house 2- 10" woofers (again, 4 ohms nominal impedance).

: This system is going to be vertically bi-amped, using a Marchand XM9 to handle the crossover duties between the subs and the monitors.

: Now to meat of the question. I am in the market for 4-channels of amplification to drive this setup. I either need (2) 2-channel amps, or a 4-channel amp.

: As for 2-channel amps, I have the following on my shortlist:

: Acurus A200
: B&K ST3030II
: Rotel RB991
: Adcom GFA-5500
: Parasound HCA-1500

: All of these are right about $1k each. Or, another possibility is the ATI-1504 4-channel amp.

: My musical tastes are soft(er) rock, like Big Head Todd, Phish, Blues Traveler, with an ocassional indulgence into Rush ;) I also love jazz and classical. Looking for something that won't be too bright.

: Of all the amps listed above, I'm a little leary of the Adcom, mainly due to reviews I have read about the 5XXX series. Some feedback I have gotten say that the B&K may be for me - a little warmer sound than the rest, almost tube-like.

: Unfortunately, I don't have dealer in my area for 1/2 of these brands, and no dealer that carries at least 2. A/B testing is all but impossible.

: The ATI seems like it would be the best buy at $1,400 and a few reviews I have read are encouraging. Still, I'm a little if-fy on this one.

: HELP!

: Scott

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