A few months ago, I bought a used Audio Research LS3b preamp
from an auction on eBay, for a little over $500. My trusty
NAD 7175PE receiver's tone controls were getting flaky, and
the LS3b feeds the NAD's main-in jacks. Man, this thing sounds
good! I also bought a new CD player (NAD C541i) and got some
decent cables, and finally set up my Vandersteen 1b's properly,
so it's hard to say how much of the improvement is due to the
ARC preamp. I notice more detail and a bigger soundstage, but
with a sense of ease and a lack of strain.

So when I go to replace the receiver, I'm wondering if I should
look for an Audio Research power amp like the D130, which
sometimes turns up on the used market. Opinions? I could
connect the LS3b to the D130 in balanced mode.

What reviews I've read praised the D130, although some said
it could be soft in the low end and too laid-back. Others
said it was a matter of system matching, and that the D130
had plenty of oomph. I've been looking over specs on
www.arcdb.ws, and also investigating the Audio Research 100.2.
The 100.2 may be too pricey, even used, but the reviews I've
seen suggested that it would have plenty of oomph. This surprised
me, when I compared the specs for the D130 and the 100.2:
D130 has a damping factor of 100, 21 dB negative feedback,
hum and noise 55 microvolts RMS, and 104,000 uF power supply
energy storage. The figures given for the 100.2 are damping
factor of 20, 3 dB negative feedback, hum and noise 150
microvolts RMS, and 130,000 uF. Both have -3 dB power bandwiths
of DC to 150 or 160 kHz into 8 ohms. I suspect such comparisons
are rarely meaningful, although these amps were produced by
the same company. Maybe the moral is that they represent
different design philosophies.

Or maybe I should just wait and find a used Aragon 4004 Mk II??

Or maybe just keep the NAD for its power amp and tuner, and
save my $$ . . .

Thanks for all tips,

David Finton

What power amp would you recommend for the following system:

NAD C541i CD player
Audio Research LS3b line stage
(current power amp: NAD 7175PE receiver)
Vandersteen 1b speakers.

I listen to classical and jazz, mostly. I've been advised to
keep my eyes peeled for the following on the used market:

Audio Research D130
Audio Research D240
Audio Research 100.2
Aragon 4004 MkII
McCormack DNA
(or stay with the NAD for a while longer)

What would you choose if you were me--and why?

Thanks,

David Finton

"David Finton" wrote in message
...
What power amp would you recommend for the following system:

NAD C541i CD player
Audio Research LS3b line stage
(current power amp: NAD 7175PE receiver)
Vandersteen 1b speakers.

I listen to classical and jazz, mostly. I've been advised to
keep my eyes peeled for the following on the used market:

Audio Research D130
Audio Research D240
Audio Research 100.2
Aragon 4004 MkII
McCormack DNA
(or stay with the NAD for a while longer)

What would you choose if you were me--and why?

Buy one of the above a)if you have a chance to try it and like it, or b)you
have a chance to buy it at an exceptional price. They are all excellent
power amps. Audio Research is of course famed for the support it gives its
older products, which might be a long term edge.

I'd monitor eBay and Audiogon on these power amps until you get some idea of
what the actually trading value ("done deals") are for the units. Then, if
you have a chance to get one at an exceptionally good price, move quickly.
Otherwise, just enjoy the NAD. They are always "musical".

I have been very pleased with a Parasound 85x5 amp driving a pair of
Vandersteen 2Ce sig's. I use two channels per speaker and they are much more
dynamic then with one channel. I have never tried a single, more powerful amp
so I can't be sure if the improvement is due to bi-amplification of simply more
power. But either way, the Parasound HCA-855 was $600 and delivers plenty of
clean power.

I would check to be sure the 1b also has inputs for two sets of cable. if not,
perhaps look for a 2 channel, but more powerful Parasound. I think they offer
a great value.

--
http://www.jonlayephotography.com

I would probably avoid the McCormack, it has a somewhat honky midrange. Pass
Labs amps used are also good ones.

"David Finton" wrote in message
...
What power amp would you recommend for the following system:

NAD C541i CD player
Audio Research LS3b line stage
(current power amp: NAD 7175PE receiver)
Vandersteen 1b speakers.

I listen to classical and jazz, mostly. I've been advised to
keep my eyes peeled for the following on the used market:

Audio Research D130
Audio Research D240
Audio Research 100.2
Aragon 4004 MkII
McCormack DNA
(or stay with the NAD for a while longer)

What would you choose if you were me--and why?

Thanks,

David Finton

"David Finton" wrote in message
...
What power amp would you recommend for the following system:

NAD C541i CD player
Audio Research LS3b line stage
(current power amp: NAD 7175PE receiver)
Vandersteen 1b speakers.

I listen to classical and jazz, mostly. I've been advised to
keep my eyes peeled for the following on the used market:

Audio Research D130
Audio Research D240
Audio Research 100.2
Aragon 4004 MkII
McCormack DNA
(or stay with the NAD for a while longer)


I own a McCormack DNA 1 Deluxe and Vandersteen 2c's. The combination
is quite wonderful. If I assume that your preamp is tubed (as is
mine), the overall combination has great synergy. I had heard that
Richard Vandersteen preferred McCormack power amps if he needed to use
a solid state amp (for stability or durability). That was the basis
for my purchase and I have ben happy with ot for years. There are
rumors that Vandersteen likes tube amps with the speakers, but that
may not be valid for the Model 1's. Good luck!!

Subject: Which power amp for ARC LS3b and Vandersteen 1b's?
From: (Steve Fine)
Date: 3/4/2004 9:44 PM Pacific Standard Time
Message-id:


"David Finton" wrote in message
...
What power amp would you recommend for the following system:

NAD C541i CD player
Audio Research LS3b line stage
(current power amp: NAD 7175PE receiver)
Vandersteen 1b speakers.

I listen to classical and jazz, mostly. I've been advised to
keep my eyes peeled for the following on the used market:

Audio Research D130
Audio Research D240
Audio Research 100.2
Aragon 4004 MkII
McCormack DNA
(or stay with the NAD for a while longer)


I own a McCormack DNA 1 Deluxe and Vandersteen 2c's. The combination
is quite wonderful. If I assume that your preamp is tubed (as is
mine), the overall combination has great synergy. I had heard that
Richard Vandersteen preferred McCormack power amps if he needed to use
a solid state amp (for stability or durability). That was the basis
for my purchase and I have ben happy with ot for years. There are
rumors that Vandersteen likes tube amps with the speakers, but that
may not be valid for the Model 1's. Good luck!!







I would go with the Audio Research amps. Any of them. You might want to
consider an old D-70. They can be had for under a thousand dollars.