Thoughts on old school versus new amps?

[john03]

I did buy a jolida jd302b but the kid wanted me to pay outside of the audiogon website he seemed really shaky so im back to square one it seems he wanted me to do a money transfer that would've negated any protection I would've got but I do have my hk up for sale there why? did you see something somewhere I think to after I went and listened to a couple newer amps a Marantz and a rega and a block im not really sure if im digging the sound don't get me wrong they are not bad but im still comparing it to me old onkyo which my cousin got fixed for a mere 45 bucks lol I should've gotten it fixed lol I did stop by a friends house who has a carver tfm 25 I know many people here dismayed the carver lol but it did blow away the newer amps I did listen to that particular amp is 225 watts per channel at 8 ohms I thought it sounded great especially I wasn't sold on the new Marantz or the rega the block to me was the best sounding out of those 3 I asked my buddy if he had any trouble with the carver the only thing he had happen was one of the lights burned out on one of the vu meters he bought a spare on ebay for 15 dollars anyone want to make me a deal on the hk its listed on audiogon lol

[blackraven]

Give a listen to Parasound, Peachtree and Rotel amps. You could use the HK as a preamp for them. You might also want to consider an Emotiva amp.

[john03]

I haven't found dealers around me within a reasonable driving distance and I mean by that is 2 hrs each way is my cap on that would love to hear those though and just a note the carver did definitely blow away this hk in every way power and sound
3 people agreed that was with me and the 4th is the guy that owned the carver im in no hurry so I will see if I can find a chance to listen to other amps as I just want to be happy at the end and not have to shop anymore for this stuff???? lol would rather spend time and money on wax

[Mr Peabody]

Very wise decision on the Audiogon thing.

All amps do not sound the same as you are finding out, the Marantz and Rega would sound different from the Onkyo, I would suspect some warmer without the bass slam. If you want an amp that comes close to the Onkyo you'll have to listen to amps with similar character or design. The Jolida would have also been a shock to your ears. I can't imagine the Carver having the bass control or slam of the Onkyo although it may have played louder. The Parasound Halo gear is a good suggestion, as well used Adcom gfa-5500 or 555, Vincent Audio I think you'd also find would do the job. Still a bit expensive used but Bryston amps would be great, as well as used Krell integrated, both of these would kill the Onkyo. Although conservatively rated at 80 watts into 8 ohms Onkyo has a new Reference amp that looks good with a retro finish complete with power meters, it sounds good as well if you like the Onkyo sound.

[Mr Peabody]

Actually, take a look at the new Onkyo Reference gear, if you thought you might be interested there is a dealer in my area who has a demo unit he wants to sell but I'm not sure if he would sell the amp separate from the preamp, I can check though. The gear would have full warranty.

Also, keep in mind what ever you listen to in a store will sound different in your own room and associated gear. The problem is to get the type of performance the vintage Onkyo delivered costs so much more today.

[john03]

I found my buddies carver to be well rounded I did like it it was very clear as with my onkyo my onkyo was rated at 60 watts per channel I did listen to a new onkyo rated at 85 wpc again didn't like the sound of it I want to do this once I do want a tube amp for different listening moods and also a solid state
I want to take a trip to Cleveland to see don better and listen to some stuff up there
im just holding off to find what I could be happy with as it does stand right now the carver is ahead so far my friend has that tfm25 paired up with a carver ct 7 pre amp his speakers are Vienna acoustic mozarts he doesn't have to even turn it up at all to get power out of that thing I was a lil impressed is it the perfect sound I like not 100 percent but very tolerable I will try to find a dealer around here that has the amps you listed above also I do not know how the carver would sound paired up with my psb t6s

[Mr Peabody]

The Onkyo Reference is not the same as the regular line, I'll try to find a link, the amp retailed for over $2k. Will your friend let you hook the Carver up to your speakers?
Onkyo M-5000R 2-channel power amplifier at Crutchfield.com

[Feanor]

The Onkyo Reference is not the same as the regular line, I'll try to find a link, the amp retailed for over $2k. Will your friend let you hook the Carver up to your speakers?
Onkyo M-5000R 2-channel power amplifier at Crutchfield.com

Or with the same $2500 and a little patience you might just get a Pass Labs X150.5 on Audiogon.

[john03]

yes ive already arranged that next week to hook up the psbs to his amp I have seen that onkyo you are referring to in ads etc need to find somewhere close enough to hear one