Searching for a power amp

Printable View

  • 10-18-2004, 07:15 PM
    Audio Insanity
    Searching for a power amp
    I am currently looking for a nice amp to team up with my NAD t753. I have a magnum intergrated and absolutely love it, but much to my dismay, they no longer make poweramps. I have the Halo but am dissapointed with the build quality, sound, heat, and MADE IN TAIWAN. I am currently auditioning an ATI amp, well see how that goes.
  • 10-18-2004, 09:30 PM
    RGA
    You don;t supply a lot of info - so I can generally say look at Bryston or Rotel. The former is about as well built as it gets and 20 year transferable warranty. The latter will be cheaper and many think they are subjectively nicer sounding. Perhaps it will depend on the rest of the system - ATI I heard years ago and it seemed to be a good amp considering the relatively low price. But who's to say what the new ones are like could be better for all I know.
  • 10-22-2004, 09:34 PM
    spacedeckman
    You didn't like the Halo? That's a first for me
    I had the A21s home for a few weeks and just loved them. A friend has replaced the Halcros with the JC1s after success with the A21. I've known half a dozen guys with ears who have all raved about the Halo stuff. I'd much rather have that than a Krell, Levinson, Bryston, or most others out there.

    Are you sure your dissatisfaction with the sound/build quality didn't stem out of the "made in Taiwan" sticker on the box?
  • 10-23-2004, 12:03 AM
    corwin99
    I agree the Halos sounded very good, especially for the price. The A21 is quite good, and the JC1's are amazing. I personally was disappointed to find out that they were made in Taiwan as well, but it doesn't mean it does not sound good (i wish the case were a bit tougher myself).

    What i'd like to know is, where is the NAD made? As far as i know, all recent NAD products are made in Malaysia and China or something like that.
  • 10-23-2004, 03:47 AM
    kexodusc
    I'll second the Rotel/Bryston comments from RGA. I love my Rotel integrated...and I love every Bryston I've ever heard (and can't afford).
    For low budget high performance, Rotel is tough to beat, but I'd also throw Adcom out there. Solid bang-for-the-buck - I have 2 Adcom's connected to my receiver right now that replaced more expensive Parasound amps.
    Depending on the model, NAD's are built in several countries...I think my old 3140 is from Malaysia.
  • 10-23-2004, 09:48 AM
    psonic
    Rotel is very good for the $, although you can do better if you can spend much more money. If you are aiming to top the NAD amp section in the 753 I would shoot for 150-200wpc min. Here are some other SS names below that I've heard very good things about:
    Odyssey, aragon, classe, levinson, bryston, forte, musical fidelity, ps audio parasound.
  • 10-23-2004, 01:30 PM
    Geoffcin
    The real question you have to ask is;
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Audio Insanity
    I am currently looking for a nice amp to team up with my NAD t753. I have a magnum intergrated and absolutely love it, but much to my dismay, they no longer make poweramps. I have the Halo but am dissapointed with the build quality, sound, heat, and MADE IN TAIWAN. I am currently auditioning an ATI amp, well see how that goes.
    How much power do I want/need, and how much an I willing to spend. Once you answer that, then there's a lot of possibilities.
  • 10-23-2004, 01:51 PM
    kexodusc
    Good point Geoffcin...no sense in getting anyone's hopes up for a Bryston if they've been working hard to get $400 put away for a new amp...