Amp for my 2 channel

[Feanor]

My birthday is coming up this summer and I want to add an amp to my 2 channel system, budget $400 max. Used is fine. I eventually will upgrade to a better pre-amp, but that will be later. I plan on keeping the KG4's until I die.

I was thinking of an Emotiva UPA-2 new or a used NAD, I have seen the used 2200, at least 10 years old, go for $250 or so.

The Emo headquarters is near my house so I could try a UPA-2 and easily return it.

I was wondering what you guys think would be the best fit for my 2 channel system.

Thanks

Well, if your willing to do minimal DIY fussing, I'd recommend the Class D Audio SDS-254, (see here). Where transparency and air are concerned, this will trounce any of the old Adcoms, NADs (for sure), and probably most Parasounds. The sound might a little "neutral" for some people's preference, though.

BTW, I'm not trashing Adcom. I enjoy a GFA-555II for awhile; it had a pleasant, slightly "earthy" sound, but like I say, didn't have the resolution of the CDA.

[frenchmon]

Well, if your willing to do minimal DIY fussing, I'd recommend the Class D Audio SDS-254, (see here). Where transparency and air are concerned, this will trounce any of the old Adcoms, NADs (for sure), and probably most Parasounds. The sound might a little "neutral" for some people's preference, though.

BTW, I'm not trashing Adcom. I enjoy a GFA-555II for awhile; it had a pleasant, slightly "earthy" sound, but like I say, didn't have the resolution of the CDA.

Hey Feanor...why dont you just put your amp where your money is....send it to me seeing I have the ADCOM and I can tell you if its better?

[Feanor]

Hey Feanor...why dont you just put your amp where your money is....send it to me seeing I have the ADCOM and I can tell you if its better?

I couldn't stand to be without it so long, Frenchie

[JoeE SP9]

I couldn't stand to be without it so long, Frenchie

From your comment it would seem you are using it as your "main" amplifier. May I presume that you like it as much as when you first built it? I've been waiting for some comments based on long term listening. C'mon out with it! Is it all that and a bag of chips? How much longer do you intend using it? Do you have a replacement in mind? If so, what? Your input here will have a large influence on me if no one else.

The two bridged Crown XLS-402's are doing just fine from 85Hz down driving my subs. Although I love the sound of my worked Dyna MK-III's their 60 Watts is just not enough. I'm saving my nickels for a couple of 200 Watt tubed mono blocks but I need more (affordable) power now.

Give us the skinny!

[Feanor]

From your comment it would seem you are using it as your "main" amplifier. May I presume that you like it as much as when you first built it? I've been waiting for some comments based on long term listening. C'mon out with it! Is it all that and a bag of chips? How much longer do you intend using it? Do you have a replacement in mind? If so, what? Your input here will have a large influence on me if no one else.

The two bridged Crown XLS-402's are doing just fine from 85Hz down driving my subs. Although I love the sound of my worked Dyna MK-III's their 60 Watts is just not enough. I'm saving my nickels for a couple of 200 Watt tubed mono blocks but I need more (affordable) power now.

Give us the skinny!

Joe, yeah, I'm still using the Class D Audio SDS-258 as my main amp. In fact a couple of days ago I switched back to Monarchy SM-70 Pros for a few selections but I didn't like it -- a bit too warm and "fleshy" after the CDA.

My earlier impressions are unchanged. This is an extremely transparent amp, grain-free, and totally neutral with true instrument & voice timbres. I easily tamed what seemed like a bit of brightness by installing 1 ohm resistors ahead of the my Magneplanar QR tweeters.

However what I call "neutral" some might call "lean". Coming off Dyna Mk III's that's likey how you would find them that way. But dang! I really love to hear my Maggies drive by the Dynas.

[frenchmon]

I couldn't stand to be without it so long, Frenchie

Oh yeah...I know that feeling.