New Amp or 2nd hand? £300 budget
Discussion
Magistrate said:
Didn't buy the NAD after the visit.
The seller was a decent chap and after listening to me explain how I like to hear music he suggested a Valve Amp. Anyone any comments on these? I hear they're expensive!!!
The good ones are but you can buy nice Chinese-bulit integrateds for £350-£400 but you need sensitive speakers.The seller was a decent chap and after listening to me explain how I like to hear music he suggested a Valve Amp. Anyone any comments on these? I hear they're expensive!!!
I think we need to go back to the beginning.
Can you list your current kit, what you think is missing from the sound and what sort of thing you listen to? What hifi have you heard that you liked / didn't like and why?
lol. Yes I agree. Drawing board!
I currently have some Keff Q55 speakers. Although I might soon change them for a shelf speaker.
I like a warm bassy sound. I listen to a lot of soft rock (Fleetwood Mac, etc), and like to here a kick for the bass.
I have listened to a Cyrus Amp in a local store which although was very clear, it lacked something for me. I think it was the bass. Unbelievably, a Marantz Amp for half the price was better suited to my listening.
I like the idea of a valve amp as I like the idea that it's a piece of furniture to look at rather than just a black box and the guy said it would suit my need for a warm sound.
The source will either be a Technics CD player, or from my Iphone with a Arcam DAC, Onkya Dock.
I currently have some Keff Q55 speakers. Although I might soon change them for a shelf speaker.
I like a warm bassy sound. I listen to a lot of soft rock (Fleetwood Mac, etc), and like to here a kick for the bass.
I have listened to a Cyrus Amp in a local store which although was very clear, it lacked something for me. I think it was the bass. Unbelievably, a Marantz Amp for half the price was better suited to my listening.
I like the idea of a valve amp as I like the idea that it's a piece of furniture to look at rather than just a black box and the guy said it would suit my need for a warm sound.
The source will either be a Technics CD player, or from my Iphone with a Arcam DAC, Onkya Dock.
The Q55s are good so if you can live with them, keep them. Bookshelves might not be such a good idea because you'll lose the bass you like (or it won't be as low) and smaller 'speakers tend to be less easy to drive with smaller valve amps. The Q55s are 91 dB/W/m which is about as insensitive as you want to go really.
You say you want a smooth(ish), warm, sound.
Starting at source. An iPod is a good source to use but only if you're using lossless files (flac, Apple Lossless or wav) or high data rate lossy files (eg 320 kb/s mp3). If you're using lowewr data rate lossy files then the sound won't be as full as you'd like.
However, it's got to be amp first....
If you re desparate to try valves, you might want to try the Affordable Valve Company (http://www.affordablevalvecompany.com/products.htm) - they do a 40WPC valve amp for £250 + £30 p&p and offer a money back (minus shipping) guarantee oif you hate it....
Big Ears Audio (http://www.bigearsaudio.org.uk/valve_amps/used_valve_amplifiers.html) currently have a World Audio Designs amp for £325 which is very good too and, more interestingly have a Luxman LV105 (http://www.bigearsaudio.org.uk/transistor_amps/more_used_transistor_amps.html) which is a solid state power / valve pre hybrid. It's up for £375 but he's had it a while so might take an offer.
Solid state does smoothness and detail too. For £300 I would audition any of these:
Marantz PM7200 - this has a Class A operation mode which, while low on power (ie 20W compared to the 70+ it delivers in 'normal mode') it has the reputation for being extremely smooth. Second hand, you can get one well within budget.
Audiolab 8000a - I'll still recommend one of these. They can be picked up for well under £200 and offer a very detailed and smooth sound (I had one for years). However, as it's very good at conveying exactly what goes in, you might want to swap your CD player with the change you get from your £300.
Aura Evolution VA100 MkII - If (and I mean if) you can find one of these and it's working, snap it up. I had one of these too and it had oodles of bass and detail. The only reaso I got shot of it was that it crapped out on me and I couldn't find a repairer.
Now, if you want to change source and you don't reckon the Arcam DAC is up to snuff, you can go for a Cambridge Audio DACMagic for £200 which is highly regarded or any of the Beresford DAC / Pre / Headphone amp units that also start at £200.
Looking at Big Ears Audio again he has a valve-based DAC for £145 (http://www.bigearsaudio.org.uk/cd_players/used_CD_players_and_DACs.html)
One other manufacturer is Little Dot (http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=126ec3c4c06024b466d99f7c50a2259c) who also does some nice products which can be tailored to meet your requirements.
However. My main piece of advice would be, go to a reputable hifi seller, explain what you want and budget and let them suggest some options and audition them. IME, whether your buying £300 or £3000 bits of kit, any decent dealer will let you audition for as long as it takes for you to decide you want / do not want it.
Anyway, good luck.
You say you want a smooth(ish), warm, sound.
Starting at source. An iPod is a good source to use but only if you're using lossless files (flac, Apple Lossless or wav) or high data rate lossy files (eg 320 kb/s mp3). If you're using lowewr data rate lossy files then the sound won't be as full as you'd like.
However, it's got to be amp first....
If you re desparate to try valves, you might want to try the Affordable Valve Company (http://www.affordablevalvecompany.com/products.htm) - they do a 40WPC valve amp for £250 + £30 p&p and offer a money back (minus shipping) guarantee oif you hate it....
Big Ears Audio (http://www.bigearsaudio.org.uk/valve_amps/used_valve_amplifiers.html) currently have a World Audio Designs amp for £325 which is very good too and, more interestingly have a Luxman LV105 (http://www.bigearsaudio.org.uk/transistor_amps/more_used_transistor_amps.html) which is a solid state power / valve pre hybrid. It's up for £375 but he's had it a while so might take an offer.
Solid state does smoothness and detail too. For £300 I would audition any of these:
Marantz PM7200 - this has a Class A operation mode which, while low on power (ie 20W compared to the 70+ it delivers in 'normal mode') it has the reputation for being extremely smooth. Second hand, you can get one well within budget.
Audiolab 8000a - I'll still recommend one of these. They can be picked up for well under £200 and offer a very detailed and smooth sound (I had one for years). However, as it's very good at conveying exactly what goes in, you might want to swap your CD player with the change you get from your £300.
Aura Evolution VA100 MkII - If (and I mean if) you can find one of these and it's working, snap it up. I had one of these too and it had oodles of bass and detail. The only reaso I got shot of it was that it crapped out on me and I couldn't find a repairer.
Now, if you want to change source and you don't reckon the Arcam DAC is up to snuff, you can go for a Cambridge Audio DACMagic for £200 which is highly regarded or any of the Beresford DAC / Pre / Headphone amp units that also start at £200.
Looking at Big Ears Audio again he has a valve-based DAC for £145 (http://www.bigearsaudio.org.uk/cd_players/used_CD_players_and_DACs.html)
One other manufacturer is Little Dot (http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=126ec3c4c06024b466d99f7c50a2259c) who also does some nice products which can be tailored to meet your requirements.
However. My main piece of advice would be, go to a reputable hifi seller, explain what you want and budget and let them suggest some options and audition them. IME, whether your buying £300 or £3000 bits of kit, any decent dealer will let you audition for as long as it takes for you to decide you want / do not want it.
Anyway, good luck.
Edited by Seeker UK on Wednesday 2nd March 08:10
Cheers for that, some good info!
I have had a conversation with the guy from affordable valve company, and to say he can talk is an understatement!
60 minutes later I have bought a £688 version A3 model. Although 'bought' is a bit of a loose comment. Apparently, my word is my order, he wanted no money upfront, and it won't be ready for 2 months! I pay when it's ready to ship. Amazing guy, and if his promises are true it should be an outstanding product, and whilst extremely difficult to understand, he seems to know his onions. But I have got 2 months to wait, and try out some others. From what he was saying, he's got a big backlog, so I guess if I don't take it, he will be able to sell it on no problem.
I still want to demo a valve amp, but there's no local specialists with any in!
I have had a conversation with the guy from affordable valve company, and to say he can talk is an understatement!
60 minutes later I have bought a £688 version A3 model. Although 'bought' is a bit of a loose comment. Apparently, my word is my order, he wanted no money upfront, and it won't be ready for 2 months! I pay when it's ready to ship. Amazing guy, and if his promises are true it should be an outstanding product, and whilst extremely difficult to understand, he seems to know his onions. But I have got 2 months to wait, and try out some others. From what he was saying, he's got a big backlog, so I guess if I don't take it, he will be able to sell it on no problem.
I still want to demo a valve amp, but there's no local specialists with any in!
Magistrate said:
Thanks but I don't want another AV amp, just stereo for me this time.
Valve amps are a different world to solid state.Most of them require "maintenance", which is fine if you're into such.
If you want to obsess about origin, current manufacture versus NOS, checking bias, it's all fun.
Then, type, SET? probably for the purist with very efficient speakers, perhaps horns.
£300, I'd suggest as someone else has, some of the older SS.
Although, playing with the glowing tubes might be fun.
Your choice.
WhoseGeneration said:
Valve amps are a different world to solid state.
Most of them require "maintenance", which is fine if you're into such.
If you want to obsess about origin, current manufacture versus NOS, checking bias, it's all fun.
Then, type, SET? probably for the purist with very efficient speakers, perhaps horns.
£300, I'd suggest as someone else has, some of the older SS.
Although, playing with the glowing tubes might be fun.
Your choice.
Yeah, I hear what you say, but I think I just fancy a change from the norm. I quite like the idea of a bit of maintenance and the looks of the thing.Most of them require "maintenance", which is fine if you're into such.
If you want to obsess about origin, current manufacture versus NOS, checking bias, it's all fun.
Then, type, SET? probably for the purist with very efficient speakers, perhaps horns.
£300, I'd suggest as someone else has, some of the older SS.
Although, playing with the glowing tubes might be fun.
Your choice.
I'm going to give the affordable valve company a chance I think. Anyone ever used them?
Magistrate said:
Yeah, I hear what you say, but I think I just fancy a change from the norm. I quite like the idea of a bit of maintenance and the looks of the thing.
I'm going to give the affordable valve company a chance I think. Anyone ever used them?
They appear to be well regarded across audio forums, so, why not.I'm going to give the affordable valve company a chance I think. Anyone ever used them?
Problem of the internet is, it can delay personal decision.
Too many options.
Ultimately just follow your feelings, afterall that's what music is about.
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