Melc Posted June 29, 2013 Posted June 29, 2013 Greetings all just wanting to canvass member views on solid state power amplifiers . l have an all valve system which l enjoy very much. However, l was thinking of adding a solid state power amplifier into the mix so as to provide a little variety of sound. l have listened to Electrocompanet (to my ears nice but a little too slow and ponderous) and Krell ( to my ears a little too sharp and fatiguing). Using these as parameters l would welcome memeber's suggestions on used power amplifiers that would fall within these extremes with a maximum (used) price of, say, $1500. l appreciate that the nature of my enquiry is fraught with so many problematic issues - but welcome your views nevertheless. Thanks in anticipation, Mel
soundfan Posted June 29, 2013 Posted June 29, 2013 (edited) Greetings all just wanting to canvass member views on solid state power amplifiers . l have an all valve system which l enjoy very much. However, l was thinking of adding a solid state power amplifier into the mix so as to provide a little variety of sound. l have listened to Electrocompanet (to my ears nice but a little too slow and ponderous) and Krell ( to my ears a little too sharp and fatiguing). Using these as parameters l would welcome memeber's suggestions on used power amplifiers that would fall within these extremes with a maximum (used) price of, say, $1500. l appreciate that the nature of my enquiry is fraught with so many problematic issues - but welcome your views nevertheless. Thanks in anticipation, Mel Rather than get 8 billion suggestions from 7.9 billion members, may I suggest you have a good read through the threads? Plenty of reviews, opinions and what not to be found in the amplifier threads. Oh..... and welcome to the forums. Edited June 29, 2013 by soundfan
Soundscape Posted June 29, 2013 Posted June 29, 2013 Check out a Naksa 80, which is the latest in a stable of very fine Australian designed and manufactured power amps. Normally it comes as a very simple diy kit for <$1k, but the designer, Hugh Dean, will build it for you if necessary for a fair price. 1
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted June 29, 2013 Posted June 29, 2013 (edited) See if you can locate an ME power amp. They're only available second hand, but are still fully supported. ALL ME products, due to their lack of global NFB, offer the benefits of SS, with the sound quality of a good valve amp. Be aware that many ME models MUST be used with a low output impedance preamp (such as those manufactured by ME), although the amps can be modified, this will result in a small sonic degradation. Depending on the speakers, this is an approximate desirability range (highest to lowest): ME1400 (mono) ME1400/ME1500 ME900 ME850 ME150 ME85 ME1200 ME550-II (hi-cap) Speaker dependent. In some situations, the ME750, et al, may be superior) ME550-II ME750 ME75C ME75B ME50 ME100 ME200 ME75 ME550 ME55 The ME850 is, arguably, the most desirable amp in the range, due to it's size, price, power and suitability to most speakers. There is an ME75C in the classified section right now, for what is, IMO, a very good price. The ME75C will work with any preamp. Edited June 30, 2013 by Zaphod Beeblebrox 2
davewantsmoore Posted June 30, 2013 Posted June 30, 2013 ZB - Could you put the 550 (both original and mk2) into that list please !?
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted June 30, 2013 Posted June 30, 2013 ZB - Could you put the 550 (both original and mk2) into that list please !? Oops. Done.
AudioGeek Posted June 30, 2013 Posted June 30, 2013 Hey, whar ever happened to the me relaunch? I remember reading they were coming up with new/upgraded amps.
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted June 30, 2013 Posted June 30, 2013 Hey, whar ever happened to the me relaunch? I remember reading they were coming up with new/upgraded amps. All the old models will receive upgrades early next year. The first models will be the ME750, followed by the ME850. Then, probably, the ME1400/1500 amps. Then, perhaps, if demand is healthy, the ME550. Beyond that, we're not certain. Due to the age and value of older models, it is likely that owners may not take advantage of upgrades, if offered. Depending on demand, Peter may provide upgrades for non-fan cooled models. It is anticipated that the upgrades will spin off onto replacements for the ME850 and ME1400/1500 models. Probably around 4th quarter 2014. Knowing Peter, that date is likely to be slightly optimistic.
Monkeyboi Posted June 30, 2013 Posted June 30, 2013 See if you can locate an ME power amp. They're only available second hand, but are still fully supported. ALL ME products, due to their lack of global NFB, offer the benefits of SS, with the sound quality of a good valve amp. Be aware that many ME models MUST be used with a low output impedance preamp (such as those manufactured by ME), although the amps can be modified, this will result in a small sonic degradation. Depending on the speakers, this is an approximate desirability range (highest to lowest): ME1400 (mono) ME1400/ME1500 ME900 ME850 ME150 ME85 ME1200 ME550-II (hi-cap) Speaker dependent. In some situations, the ME750, et al, may be superior) ME550-II ME750 ME75C ME75B ME50 ME100 ME200 ME75 ME550 ME55 The ME850 is, arguably, the most desirable amp in the range, due to it's size, price, power and suitability to most speakers. There is an ME75C in the classified section right now, for what is, IMO, a very good price. The ME75C will work with any preamp. AFAIK, Peter can still supply ME850-HC units according to his website . Cheers, Alan R.
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted June 30, 2013 Posted June 30, 2013 AFAIK, Peter can still supply ME850-HC units according to his website . Cheers, Alan R. The ME850HC has finished it's production run. The next product will be the ME850-II (or whatever Peter decides to call it). It will likely be based on the ME850 chassis and power supply, but with completely new output modules. Those output modules will be available to ME850 owners, thus enabling previous purchasers to be able to remain current. 1
Monkeyboi Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 The ME850HC has finished it's production run. The next product will be the ME850-II (or whatever Peter decides to call it). It will likely be based on the ME850 chassis and power supply, but with completely new output modules. Those output modules will be available to ME850 owners, thus enabling previous purchasers to be able to remain current. Thanks for clarifying that. Cheers, Alan R.
Newman Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 I thought there might be more than one brand of SS amp worth recommending, but it seems I am wrong. :nana 1
andyr Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 I thought there might be more than one brand of SS amp worth recommending, but it seems I am wrong. :nana I counted 2, so far. Andy
Melc Posted July 3, 2013 Author Posted July 3, 2013 Thanks to you all for your responses - looks like l may have to look into ME gear
frankn Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Hi Melc, You might need to revise your price limit when you go looking for ME gear. I don't think you will purchase an ME550 or above models (550 - 1500) that is in really good working condition (ie not needing a full service) for your Max $1500 PM Zaphod for typical (retail) 2nd hand pricing. You might be lucky and find one privately but ppl who own them generally tend to know what they are worth, and it seems that many more ppl are on the lookout for them nowadays Cheers F
Newman Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 I like the recommendation for a NAKSA 80. The whole amp and power supply comes fully built on a heatsink; all the buyer has to do is put it in a box and wire up a power transformer. Sweet. My experience is with earlier AKSA amps, but still.......
Guest Willow Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Hi Melc, You might need to revise your price limit when you go looking for ME gear. I don't think you will purchase an ME550 or above models (550 - 1500) that is in really good working condition (ie not needing a full service) for your Max $1500 Cheers F http://www.decibelhifi.com.au/me-750-power-amp/
danter Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 There's an ME550II on Sydney gumtree for $1350 at the moment.
Soundscape Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 (edited) I like the recommendation for a NAKSA 80. The whole amp and power supply comes fully built on a heatsink; all the buyer has to do is put it in a box and wire up a power transformer. Sweet. My experience is with earlier AKSA amps, but still....... That's right. It couldn't be simpler although you need to be able to solder the inputs and out puts. Other than that it is just a matter of plugging in a few terminals and bolting down the modules and trannies. The kit come with extremely comprehensive instructions. A significant saving can be made on the cost of a new high quality amp this way, similar to the saving made buying second hand. The trouble with second hand is that you are generally not covered by a warranty, and it can be hard to know the history of a second hand device. Hugh offers 2 years limited warranty on his Naksa amps, and his email support, in my experience, is second to none. Edited July 4, 2013 by rehabitat
thoglette Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 I thought there might be more than one brand of SS amp worth recommending, but it seems I am wrong. :nana Getting your tongue out of your cheek for a moment.... The problem is that most SS amps (and therefore most press) are conventional, high feedback AB amps. There are a few makers of "other" types (especially sub $1500) and as a result, even fewer people who've heard a range of them. Most of the interesting designs are DIY (eg Parker, JLH, Hiraga) There's probably someone commercially producing a JLH but I'm not aware of one. And it'd probably be more than $1,500. Even a gainclone type amp (eg. Audiosector Patek) breaks the $1,500 mark. There are other AU/NZ brands (eg. Redback, Plinius) but again price will be a problem. There are also some older (no longer available) amps but they;d be second hand only
thoglette Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 Getting your tongue out of your cheek for a moment.... The other option (instead of A or AB) is to look at D - in the value for money stakes they are way ahead. I have a little $20 Muse unit on the way (just needed a few watts for PA) and will give it some time in the main room for laughs. More seriously, the Red Wine Audio entry level model is about $1500AUD and getting very positive reviews. (It's battery powered would will get around most of the problems I suspect we will see with class D )
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