Amp for my 2 channel

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

The UPA-2 would be a good choice and as new you'd have a warranty. Used I'd look for Adcom or Parasound. In my opinion the Adcom is a more robust sound than NAD. The only Parasound I've owned was a 750, it seemed to be more clean sounding but lacked the bottom end of Adcom. You wouldn't need much power for the Klipsch and could pick up an Adcom gfa-535 for under $200.00, or maybe a newer gfa-5300. I'm not sure how much Rotel amps go for on the used market but that's also something to look at.

If you can hold out Emo usually has a party or open house type of thing during one weekend in the summer and they give good discounts to visitors so your money could go further at that time. I think it's called "Emo Fest". Keep watch on the site or listen to their Podcasts.

I totally agree with Mr. Peabody with the amps mentioned. I would add that the Adcom 545 series 2 is what I use and I used to sell Adcom in the 90's and it seemed to be the cleanest and overall best sounding of the 500 series Adcoms so look for it and also the 5000 series there was the 5300 and 5500 which were both excellent sounding models but the 5500 would be more power than your speakers need which is not necessarily a bad thing just that I think the 545 series 2 would be a perfect fit for your system, its not to bright and has the low end to make your speakers come alive and they are to be had used at good prices, well below the $400 price you set. But if Emo is that close to you maybe you could try one of their amps and see how it does. I have heard Emo's are brighter sounding which might be a negative to your KG-4's since they are horn driven and might sound overly bright with a bright amp but I have not heard one myself to confirm that Emo amps are bright so my opinion is just from reading about them but I will say I would go Adcom before parasound and Nad any day from what I have heard in my life but I have not heard all of the offerings from these brands and it seems that every model seems to offer something different. I have heard the Halo Parasound stuff is really good but they are way past your price range and frankly with your price range used would be the way to go to get something good. In my opinion looking at the circuits and design I would go used Adcom over the UPA Emotiva as far as sound quality concerns. That is my opinion and is subject to change upon hearing said amps.

I will add that a good preamp makes all the difference in the world. I was running my Adcom with my Yamaha receiver before upgrading to a Nuforce preamp and I will say that it does make a difference so any amp you go with will improve the sound but a great preamp is the heart of the system that most people overlook as a sound quality changer but it does effect the sound quality in a big way and it makes sense for it to since the volume control, preamp circuits, and inputs all go through this unit to be switched to what you are wanting to listen to and that means that it does a lot of work and needs to be quality built to get the most out or your amp and speakers. so do dismiss that as a upgrade once you settle on a good amp.

You may want to check this out...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....Original-Owner.

I have this amp and its a very good amp.

Heres another good one. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ower-Amplifier

of course you'll get the same emo recommendations around here, but i'd recommend a used name brand amp. Give the Anthem PVA2 some consideration before settling. This model has been out many years and can be found used for around your budget or lower.

http://www.anthemav.com/products/ant...a-series/pva-2

I own a PVA model (multichannel) and really enjoy everything about it.

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Originally Posted by Tarheel_

of course you'll get the same emo recommendations around here, but i'd recommend a used name brand amp. Give the Anthem PVA2 some consideration before settling. This model has been out many years and can be found used for around your budget or lower.

http://www.anthemav.com/products/ant...a-series/pva-2

I own a PVA model (multichannel) and really enjoy everything about it.

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can that be had within his budget?

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Originally Posted by cyto

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

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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.

http://classdaudio.com/media/catalog...ds-254_kit.jpg

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Originally Posted by Feanor

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.

http://classdaudio.com/media/catalog...ds-254_kit.jpg

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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?:thumbsup::devil:

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Originally Posted by frenchmon

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?:thumbsup::devil:

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

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Originally Posted by frenchmon

can that be had within his budget?

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I've seen them on audiogon for as low as $300, while most hover in the $400-500 range.

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Originally Posted by cyto

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

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Since Emo is near your house, then you really have nothing to lose with a free in-home-trial... I don't recommend Emo products to overseas customers like myself (based on the issues I've had - especially the cost of shipping a heavy amp back to the US is service is needed - but none of that would affect you as you can just carry it right back to Emo if you have an issue)...

Clearly, if you are willing to buy used then there are LOADS of alternatives available... Same if you are handy with a soldering gun and opt for DIY... However, I don't really see Emo gear as being aimed at those persons; rather I see it is as intended for persons who want New, fully assembled gear in which case there is very little competition, with similar specs and sound quality, available at the price...

Great responses! Now I have a couple of questions:

1) Would the Adcom GFA-535 have enough power? I like the prices and physical size. The Technics I am now using is 50wpc and I was wondering if a 60wpc amp (although separate) would offer much more?

2) I see quite few GFA-5400's on Ebay, would that be a good option?

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Originally Posted by Feanor

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

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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!

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Originally Posted by cyto

Great responses! Now I have a couple of questions:

1) Would the Adcom GFA-535 have enough power? I like the prices and physical size. The Technics I am now using is 50wpc and I was wondering if a 60wpc amp (although separate) would offer much more?

2) I see quite few GFA-5400's on Ebay, would that be a good option?

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Answers:
1)Yes, it probably has enough power. These are not "receiver" Watts. However, the difference between 50 and 60 Watt's is negligable on the dBW scale. IMO a 535 will sound like at least twice the power when compared to a Technics receiver. Any of those Adcoms will drive (maybe not very loud) Apogee Scintilla's when strapped for 1 Ohm operation. If you try that with your Technics it will either go into protection mode or let out all the magic smoke.

2) Yes. The 545 and 5400 series have 100WPC and act like more. One of those is what I would be looking for.

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Originally Posted by JoeE SP9

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!

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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.

I hope this isn't some kind of violation. I just got this and thought it pertinent to the original post.

Memorial Day Weekend Sale!
Take advantage of huge summer savings during our weekend-only Memorial Day Sale.

While supplies last. Sale ends Monday, May 30, 2011.
UPA-2 Two Channel Audio Amplifier: $350.00
UPA-1 Mono-Block Power Amplifier: $314.00
USP-1 Stereo Premplifier: $404.00
ERD-1 Surround Speakers: $359.00
ERM 6.2 LCR Monitor: $269.00
ERM 6.3 LCR Monitor: $539.00
ERT 8.3 Reference Towers: $1438.00
UAW 6.2 In-Wall Speakers: $134.00
UAW 8.2 In-Wall Speakers: $152.00

Gearing-Up for Emofest!
It's that time of year again... Emofest, our hugely popular customer appreciation and open house weekend, is September
3-4, 2011. Bring your family, friends, Lounge Lizards, even strangers, if you must. We'll have activities for everyone! AND it's free to attend.
Get more info and register for Emofest here.

New Podcast
A new podcast is up! Be sure to check out the news section of our website for the lates updates on products and the company.

>> Listen to the latest podcast <<

Thank you and have a great weekend!
Your friends at Emotiva

Looks like the links didn't come through but you know where to go.

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Originally Posted by Feanor

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

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Oh yeah...I know that feeling.

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Originally Posted by Tarheel_

I've seen them on audiogon for as low as $300, while most hover in the $400-500 range.

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$300...that would be a deal.

Since your Klipsch speakers are highly efficient at 94 dbs your are indeed fortunate to be in S.E.T. territory. This class A single ended amp from Musical Paradise for $260 will sound better with your speakers than anything mentioned in this thread. It's 6.5 wpc is more than you'll ever need with 94 db speakers, I promise.


http://www.musicalparadise.ca/mp/ind...products_id=75

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Originally Posted by Poultrygeist

Since your Klipsch speakers are highly efficient at 94 dbs your are indeed fortunate to be in S.E.T. territory. This class A single ended amp from Musical Paradise for $260 will sound better with your speakers than anything mentioned in this thread. It's 6.5 wpc is more than you'll ever need with 94 db speakers, I promise.


http://www.musicalparadise.ca/mp/ind...products_id=75

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What do the others here think of this option? I like the idea of a tube amp and I see that they have a 7 day return policy.. Excuse my ignorance Poultrygeist, but what is S.E.T.?

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Originally Posted by cyto

What do the others here think of this option? I like the idea of a tube amp and I see that they have a 7 day return policy.. Excuse my ignorance Poultrygeist, but what is S.E.T.?

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"Single-Ended Triode" is a different sound from any of the solid state amps previously mentioned. Some people worship the sound, others not so much. The latter argue that the sound, though charming, as little to do with sonic accuracy.

I'm also skeptical about 6.5 wpc; a lot will depend on the size of your room and you willingness to listen at no more than moderate levels.

A SET is a tube amplifier that uses one tube for the output. Triode refers to the tube's design. In this case a tube with three elements. There are single ended SS amps also. Almost all single ended amplifiers are relatively low power devices. There are some exceptions such as WAVAC and Kron. They both make SET's with upwards of 100 Watt outputs.

Most amplifiers are push pull devices which need two or more pairs of output devices.

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Originally Posted by Feanor

"Single-Ended Triode" is a different sound from any of the solid state amps previously mentioned. Some people worship the sound, others not so much. The latter argue that the sound, though charming, as little to do with sonic accuracy.

I'm also skeptical about 6.5 wpc; a lot will depend on the size of your room and you willingness to listen at no more than moderate levels.

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This is why you need more experience Feanor - You are saying a 6.5wpc amp can't play a speaker above moderate levels. You need to listen to better systems if you really believe this statement.

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Originally Posted by RGA

This is why you need more experience Feanor - You are saying a 6.5wpc amp can't play a speaker above moderate levels. You need to listen to better systems if you really believe this statement.

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By "better systems" do you really mean more efficient speakers? Or are you being condescending?