I'm tired of my Marantz integrated and my Cambridge Audio CD player. I want
to upgrade my system piece meal and wanted to start with the amp.

I want to replace my speakers at some point in the future too, so I thought
perfect opportunity to swap an integrated for a pre/power combo.

I'm looking for a relatively cheap used power amp right now - eBay and
Audiogon are my destinations. I was thinking about the Adcom GFA-545 II. Any
opinions or experiences with this? It's got pretty decent reviews on
audioreview.com.

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to are
Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more than
$275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

Schizoid Man said:

I'm tired of my Marantz integrated and my Cambridge Audio CD player. I want
to upgrade my system piece meal and wanted to start with the amp.

I'm looking for a relatively cheap used power amp right now - eBay and
Audiogon are my destinations. I was thinking about the Adcom GFA-545 II. Any
opinions or experiences with this? It's got pretty decent reviews on
audioreview.com.

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to are
Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more than
$275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

I hate Adcom.

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...
I'm tired of my Marantz integrated and my Cambridge Audio CD player. I
want
to upgrade my system piece meal and wanted to start with the amp.

I want to replace my speakers at some point in the future too, so I
thought
perfect opportunity to swap an integrated for a pre/power combo.

I'm looking for a relatively cheap used power amp right now - eBay and
Audiogon are my destinations. I was thinking about the Adcom GFA-545 II.
Any
opinions or experiences with this? It's got pretty decent reviews on
audioreview.com.

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to
are
Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more
than
$275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

It's a Class AB low bias design. Punch, dynamic, a little harsh to my ears.
They moved away from that in their next generation, which was MOSFET.

I recommend a Hafler Transnova as far superior.

"Robert Morein" wrote in message

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message

I'm looking for a relatively cheap used power amp right now - eBay and
Audiogon are my destinations. I was thinking about the Adcom GFA-545 II.
Any
opinions or experiences with this? It's got pretty decent reviews on
audioreview.com.

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to
are
Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more
than
$275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

It's a Class AB low bias design. Punch, dynamic, a little harsh to my
ears.
They moved away from that in their next generation, which was MOSFET.

I recommend a Hafler Transnova as far superior.

Thanks for the recommendation Bob.

I think the Hafler might be overkill for the application I have in mind. I
am using bookshelfs and have a fairly smallish listening room. If it helps,
my music tastes center around rock, guitar-centric jazz and electronica.

Schizoid Man wrote:

I think the Hafler might be overkill for the application I have in mind. I
am using bookshelfs and have a fairly smallish listening room. If it helps,
my music tastes center around rock, guitar-centric jazz and electronica.

Unless the Adcom has some gross design problems (unlikely)
or is defective or broken (also unlikely), it should sound
as good as any other good amp up to its overload point.
Don't let these idiots give you a bum steer about amplifier
sound.

Howard Ferstler

"Howard Ferstler" wrote in message

Schizoid Man wrote:

I think the Hafler might be overkill for the application I have in mind.
I
am using bookshelfs and have a fairly smallish listening room. If it
helps,
my music tastes center around rock, guitar-centric jazz and electronica.

Unless the Adcom has some gross design problems (unlikely)
or is defective or broken (also unlikely), it should sound
as good as any other good amp up to its overload point.
Don't let these idiots give you a bum steer about amplifier
sound.

So does that mean that there is nothing wrong with my current Marantz? And
me not liking it any more is purely psychological?

Schizoid Man wrote:

"Howard Ferstler" wrote in message

Schizoid Man wrote:

I think the Hafler might be overkill for the application I have in mind.
I
am using bookshelfs and have a fairly smallish listening room. If it
helps,
my music tastes center around rock, guitar-centric jazz and electronica.

Unless the Adcom has some gross design problems (unlikely)
or is defective or broken (also unlikely), it should sound
as good as any other good amp up to its overload point.
Don't let these idiots give you a bum steer about amplifier
sound.

So does that mean that there is nothing wrong with my current Marantz? And
me not liking it any more is purely psychological?

Anything is possible. The amp may actually have problems.
The way to find out is to get hold of a loaner of some kind
and do a level-matched comparison. Your Marantz has volume
and balance controls, so you can match its per-channel
output to a basic power amp. One way to do this without
instruments is use a pink-noise source (a test disc should
have this) and switch back and forth between each left
channel of each amp and each right channel of each amp until
they sound the same.

Admittedly, you will have to build a switch box (with both
switches and connectors) to do this, but the money you save
might be considerable, so the box would be worth the effort.

Once those levels are matched you could do some sighted
comparing to see if the Marantz is actually distorting. I
mean, due to its age or other factors it really could be.
However, it might be working just fine. One way to find out
is do that comparison. If you think you hear differences, do
the comparing blind, with a buddy operating the switches.

I built a box using double-throw switches that I got from
Radio shack. One switch for each channel. Make sure that
both the hot and ground sections are switched, to make sure
any kind of shorting is impossible. The box will cost a few
bucks and will take a bit of time to build (soldering
required), but it is really not rocket science. Nope, it is
not an ABX device, but it is better than guesswork.

Once the switch box was built, you could loan it to buddies
to do the same kind of comparing.

Howard Ferstler

"Howard Ferstler" wrote in message
...

Unless the Adcom has some gross design problems (unlikely)
or is defective or broken (also unlikely), it should sound
as good as any other good amp up to its overload point.
Don't let these idiots give you a bum steer about amplifier
sound.

It's funny how one person's failure to hear differences between amplifiers
implies that other people are idiots.

jeffc wrote:

"Howard Ferstler" wrote in message
...

Unless the Adcom has some gross design problems (unlikely)
or is defective or broken (also unlikely), it should sound
as good as any other good amp up to its overload point.
Don't let these idiots give you a bum steer about amplifier
sound.

It's funny how one person's failure to hear differences between amplifiers
implies that other people are idiots.

It might be a good thing if you bothered to at least do some
level-matched DBT work with amps before you assume that your
preconceptions are valid. The comparisons are not all that
hard to do.

Actually, they might not be idiots. They might be
level-headed as can be out there in the real world and just
become goofy when it comes to their hobby.

Howard Ferstler

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...

"Robert Morein" wrote in message

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message

I'm looking for a relatively cheap used power amp right now - eBay and
Audiogon are my destinations. I was thinking about the Adcom GFA-545
II.
Any
opinions or experiences with this? It's got pretty decent reviews on
audioreview.com.

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to
are
Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more
than
$275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

It's a Class AB low bias design. Punch, dynamic, a little harsh to my
ears.
They moved away from that in their next generation, which was MOSFET.

I recommend a Hafler Transnova as far superior.

Thanks for the recommendation Bob.

I think the Hafler might be overkill for the application I have in mind. I
am using bookshelfs and have a fairly smallish listening room. If it
helps,
my music tastes center around rock, guitar-centric jazz and electronica.

You can get them really cheap on eBay.
Ridiculously cheap.
They build these things no frills for the pro market, yet they sound
exceptional, because the circuit topology is unique and the component
quality excellent.
Packaging is simple sheet steel with large heatsinks, which, depending upon
the model, are either external or internal.
Don't listen to Howard. You dislike your Marantz because you hear something.
You really do hear it.

Robert Morein wrote:

You can get them really cheap on eBay.
Ridiculously cheap.
They build these things no frills for the pro market, yet they sound
exceptional, because the circuit topology is unique and the component
quality excellent.
Packaging is simple sheet steel with large heatsinks, which, depending upon
the model, are either external or internal.
Don't listen to Howard. You dislike your Marantz because you hear something.
You really do hear it.

Only if the unit has wear/age-related problems or he is
playing it at levels that cause it to clip.

Some people just want to spend money on a new toy. Hey,
think of all the recordings one could by simply by being
satisfied with an amp that works just fine and not
purchasing that new unit.

Howard Ferstler

"Howard Ferstler" wrote in message
...
Robert Morein wrote:

You can get them really cheap on eBay.
Ridiculously cheap.
They build these things no frills for the pro market, yet they sound
exceptional, because the circuit topology is unique and the component
quality excellent.
Packaging is simple sheet steel with large heatsinks, which, depending
upon
the model, are either external or internal.
Don't listen to Howard. You dislike your Marantz because you hear
something.
You really do hear it.

Only if the unit has wear/age-related problems or he is
playing it at levels that cause it to clip.

Yes, I definitely agree that your ears and brain are experienceing
wear/age-related problems. Your mouth is functioning excellently.

Are you copacetic with this?

"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...

I think the Hafler might be overkill for the application I have in mind.
I
am using bookshelfs and have a fairly smallish listening room. If it
helps,
my music tastes center around rock, guitar-centric jazz and electronica.

You can get them really cheap on eBay.
Ridiculously cheap.
They build these things no frills for the pro market, yet they sound
exceptional, because the circuit topology is unique

Can you be more specific? Exactly what is so unique about the Hafler
topology?

ScottW

"ScottW" wrote in message
news:EsLhe.6238$It1.4381@lakeread02...

"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...

I think the Hafler might be overkill for the application I have in
mind.
I
am using bookshelfs and have a fairly smallish listening room. If it
helps,
my music tastes center around rock, guitar-centric jazz and
electronica.

You can get them really cheap on eBay.
Ridiculously cheap.
They build these things no frills for the pro market, yet they sound
exceptional, because the circuit topology is unique

Can you be more specific? Exactly what is so unique about the Hafler
topology?

ScottW

The Transnova Haflers, as opposed to the older ones, really are quite
unique, perhaps as unique as switching amps, but in their own way.

When MOSFET amplifiers were introduced, they were acclaimed for their
smoothness. These amplifiers can draw considerable bias current and run hot,
yet require no protection against thermal runaway, the bane of bipolar and
IGFET designs. They are free of crossover distortion. Some designs, however,
have been criticized for the so-called "MOSFET mist". A standard MOSFET
design is inherently soft-clipping, because the outputs cannot be driven
into saturation, because the gate voltage would have to be raised above the
drain voltage, which is usually the maximum rail in a design.

The Transnova circuit is radically different. The entire power supply bridge
rectifier floats with respect to ground, connected to ground through
alternate push-pull arrays of MOSFETs. The MOSFETS swing the entire bridge.
With this setup, the outputs can be driven into saturation with a 23 volt
rail, which, in Transnova amplifiers, is provided by a regulated supply.

These amplifiers have a huge damping factor. At the time the TNT-200 was
introduced, it was specified as unmeasurably high, so high that fuses were
omitted because the resistance in the fuse would compromise this remarkable
characteristic. Together with the regulated low voltage supply, they seem to
maintain the damping factor at high volume levels, which means that a small
Transnova amp can provide big bass.

They also have phenomenal bandwidth. My Acoustat TNT-200 amps, the original
design, are flat -3dB out to 400 kHz. The reason is simple: the output
devices actually produce gain, as opposed to the original design, where they
were merely impedance converters. Consequently, a Transnova design can be
accomplished with only three gain stages. Since the signal transit time is
reduced, there is no need to limit bandwidth to achieve stability. Contrast
this with many of the amps currently being sold today, which sag at 50 kHz.

Unfortunately, Acoustat, Hafler, and their descendent, Rockford, have been
unable to reap the full rewards of this technological prowess, because audio
does not sell on merit. In large part, I fault the audio press, including
Stereophile, for their failure to spotlight this technology. But in truth,
the amps are so damn good, and so cheap, they would pose a severe menace to
the cognitive dissonance that plagues audiophilia.

The Transnova design performs best with soft dome tweeters, as well as the
new Audax and Vifa ring tweeters. It does well with aluminum domes, matches
poorly to titanium domes, and curiously, doesn't do well with the
VonSchweikert Juniors, even though they have soft domes. It works magically
well with KEF Reference III, Kef Q1's, Polk LSi11, and old AR's. The extreme
speed of this design -- slew rate of 165 volts/microsecond, seems to wake
resonances in some metal domes that are better left to sleep.

It can tame any woofer.

"Robert Morein" wrote in message

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message

I'm tired of my Marantz integrated and my Cambridge Audio CD player. I
want
to upgrade my system piece meal and wanted to start with the amp.

I want to replace my speakers at some point in the future too, so I
thought
perfect opportunity to swap an integrated for a pre/power combo.

I'm looking for a relatively cheap used power amp right now - eBay and
Audiogon are my destinations. I was thinking about the Adcom GFA-545 II.
Any
opinions or experiences with this? It's got pretty decent reviews on
audioreview.com.

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to
are
Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more
than
$275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

It's a Class AB low bias design. Punch, dynamic, a little harsh to my
ears.
They moved away from that in their next generation, which was MOSFET.

I recommend a Hafler Transnova as far superior.

Or assuming that my next set of speakers will also be bookshelfs, am I just
better off with an integrated from Arcam or Rotel?

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...

Or assuming that my next set of speakers will also be bookshelfs, am I
just better off with an integrated from Arcam or Rotel?

Probably.

"jeffc" wrote in message

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message

Or assuming that my next set of speakers will also be bookshelfs, am I
just better off with an integrated from Arcam or Rotel?

Probably.

Thanks, Jeff. I did research some equipment today and have more or less
settled on my purchase. Thanks for your input.

Robert Morein wrote:

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to
are
Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more
than
$275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

It's a Class AB low bias design. Punch, dynamic, a little harsh to my ears.
They moved away from that in their next generation, which was MOSFET.

I recommend a Hafler Transnova as far superior.

Why not at least suggest a level-matched DBT - just to make
sure.

Howard Ferstler

Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more

than

$275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

I'd look at used McIntosh myself or an old Yamaha CA
series in mint condition. I have a couple of CA-1000s
running my HT setup and it's great. Will it drive a pair
of stats or a stack at a rock concert? No. But it will
get the job done and take years to break down or need
repairs.

A Yamaha CA/CT combo is a very nice choice, IMO, for that
sort of money(though the tuner is pretty optional, it's
nice)

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...
I'm tired of my Marantz integrated and my Cambridge Audio CD player. I
want to upgrade my system piece meal and wanted to start with the amp.

I want to replace my speakers at some point in the future too, so I
thought perfect opportunity to swap an integrated for a pre/power combo.

I'm looking for a relatively cheap used power amp right now - eBay and
Audiogon are my destinations. I was thinking about the Adcom GFA-545 II.
Any opinions or experiences with this? It's got pretty decent reviews on
audioreview.com.

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to
are Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more
than $275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.


The Pass designs are very, very good. Some of the other stuff sucks, like
the early GFA555 power amp. Just awful.

Cheers,

Margaret

"Margaret von B." wrote:

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to
are Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more
than $275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

The Pass designs are very, very good. Some of the other stuff sucks, like
the early GFA555 power amp. Just awful.

While it certainly is possible for an amp design to be poor,
it is likely that if it is designed to adhere to basic
design standards it will perform admirably and as well as
any other good amps, at least up to their respective power
limits.

Just what was wrong with this amp that made it perform so
poorly?

Note that when Nousaine visited our little friend down in
Miami some time back, the DBT involved a pair of expensive
Pass monoblocks and a rather vintage Yamaha integrated amp,
and Zipser could not reliably hear a difference. One would
think that the differences would have jumped right out
during the comparison, but they did not.

Howard Ferstler

"Howard Ferstler" wrote in message
...
"Margaret von B." wrote:

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to
are Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend
more
than $275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.

The Pass designs are very, very good. Some of the other stuff sucks, like
the early GFA555 power amp. Just awful.

While it

No one cares.

Margaret

On Sat, 14 May 2005 20:22:22 -0400, Howard Ferstler
wrote:

Note that when Nousaine visited our little friend down in
Miami some time back, the DBT involved a pair of expensive
Pass monoblocks and a rather vintage Yamaha integrated amp,
and Zipser could not reliably hear a difference.

Opinion stated as fact.

dave weil said:

Zipser could not reliably hear a difference.

Opinion stated as fact.

There you go again, bashing Harold's religious devotions. ;-)

"dave weil" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 14 May 2005 20:22:22 -0400, Howard Ferstler
wrote:

Note that when Nousaine visited our little friend down in
Miami some time back, the DBT involved a pair of expensive
Pass monoblocks and a rather vintage Yamaha integrated amp,
and Zipser could not reliably hear a difference.

Opinion stated as fact.

The fact is that Zipser could not tell the difference, he amply demonstrated
that in the test. How is that "opinion?" Let alone "opinion stated as fact?"

severian wrote:
"dave weil" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 14 May 2005 20:22:22 -0400, Howard Ferstler
wrote:

Note that when Nousaine visited our little friend down in
Miami some time back, the DBT involved a pair of expensive
Pass monoblocks and a rather vintage Yamaha integrated amp,
and Zipser could not reliably hear a difference.

Opinion stated as fact.

The fact is that Zipser could not tell the difference, he amply
demonstrated
that in the test. How is that "opinion?" Let alone "opinion stated as
fact?"


Generic excuse: blind tests make the listener(s) "stress out",
rendering their golden ears tin and making them unable to tell ****
fron shineola.

Specific excuses:
1)Zipser had a hangover
2)the testers made "noises"
3)Zipser was just "getting it" when the test was ended by a bad ABX
box.


Excuses, excuses!!

"dave weil" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 14 May 2005 20:22:22 -0400, Howard Ferstler
wrote:

Note that when Nousaine visited our little friend down in
Miami some time back, the DBT involved a pair of expensive
Pass monoblocks and a rather vintage Yamaha integrated amp,
and Zipser could not reliably hear a difference.

Opinion stated as fact.

My opinion: my Yamaha M-50 doesn't sound any different on my Legacy focus or
my Original large Advents than my Krell KSA-150. However, both amps are
rated at 150W, Krell is supposedly pure class A but I have heard that
debated... I think the Yamaha is AB. At normal listening I don't think I
can differentiate either from a 35 W Sansui AU-6500 that I've had for 30+
years. If I wanted to get a different sound from my system by changing
amplifiers I'd explore different technologies, perhaps some of the better
Class D amps (I don't have any real experience there) or enter the world of
tubes.

ScottW

"ScottW" wrote in message
news:gqLhe.6237$It1.1817@lakeread02...

"dave weil" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 14 May 2005 20:22:22 -0400, Howard Ferstler
wrote:

Note that when Nousaine visited our little friend down in
Miami some time back, the DBT involved a pair of expensive
Pass monoblocks and a rather vintage Yamaha integrated amp,
and Zipser could not reliably hear a difference.

Opinion stated as fact.

My opinion: my Yamaha M-50 doesn't sound any different on my Legacy focus
or
my Original large Advents than my Krell KSA-150. However, both amps are
rated at 150W, Krell is supposedly pure class A but I have heard that
debated... I think the Yamaha is AB. At normal listening I don't think I
can differentiate either from a 35 W Sansui AU-6500 that I've had for 30+
years. If I wanted to get a different sound from my system by changing
amplifiers I'd explore different technologies, perhaps some of the better
Class D amps (I don't have any real experience there) or enter the world
of
tubes.

ScottW

The M-50 is an exceptional amp. I had one, and got rid of it only because of
those pain-in-the-ass clip connectors.
However, I'm surprised the Sansui satisfies. It was designed at a time that
predates modern amplification, which started approximately 1981.

dave weil wrote:

On Sat, 14 May 2005 20:22:22 -0400, Howard Ferstler
wrote:

Note that when Nousaine visited our little friend down in
Miami some time back, the DBT involved a pair of expensive
Pass monoblocks and a rather vintage Yamaha integrated amp,
and Zipser could not reliably hear a difference.

Opinion stated as fact.

If this comparison had involved the Pass monoblocks and
another high-end amp combo I would have to cut you some
slack.

However, the other amp was that old Yamaha integrated unit.
The Pass monoblocks (if the tweakos are correct) should have
mopped up the floor with that Yamaha. However, no matter
what anyone might think about Zipser's excuses or even
Nousaine's excuses (they obviously ended up disagreeing
about what went on), the fact is that Zipser HAD REAL
TROUBLE (even by his own admission) hearing differences. And
he was listening for differences and not just happily
listening to music for pleasure. If he had been doing the
latter with the Yamaha amp (without knowing it was playing),
my guess is that he would never have been able to be
anything but happy with the sound.

Howard Ferstler

"Margaret von B." wrote in message
...

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...
I'm tired of my Marantz integrated and my Cambridge Audio CD player. I
want to upgrade my system piece meal and wanted to start with the amp.

I want to replace my speakers at some point in the future too, so I
thought perfect opportunity to swap an integrated for a pre/power combo.

I'm looking for a relatively cheap used power amp right now - eBay and
Audiogon are my destinations. I was thinking about the Adcom GFA-545 II.
Any opinions or experiences with this? It's got pretty decent reviews on
audioreview.com.

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to
are Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend
more
than $275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.


The Pass designs are very, very good. Some of the other stuff sucks, like
the early GFA555 power amp. Just awful.

Cheers,

Margaret

That's what I think.
The Pass designs are at least passable.

Schizoid Man wrote:

I'm tired of my Marantz integrated and my Cambridge Audio
CD player.

More likely, you're tried of the way your speakers and room
sounds.

"Arny Krueger" said:


I'm tired of my Marantz integrated and my Cambridge Audio
CD player.

More likely, you're tried of the way your speakers and room
sounds.


You may have a point.

Ever since we moved, I haven't been able to get the sound back that we
had in our old house.
Same speakers, same gear, same furniture, but different room
dimensions.

--

"Audio as a serious hobby is going down the tubes."
- Howard Ferstler, 25/4/2005

Sander deWaal said:

Ever since we moved, I haven't been able to get the sound back that we
had in our old house.
Same speakers, same gear, same furniture, but different room
dimensions.

The only thing that doesn't change is change itself.

Schizoid Man wrote




I'm tired of my Marantz integrated and my Cambridge Audio CD player. I want
to upgrade my system piece meal and wanted to start with the amp.

I want to replace my speakers at some point in the future too, so I thought
perfect opportunity to swap an integrated for a pre/power combo.

I'm looking for a relatively cheap used power amp right now - eBay and
Audiogon are my destinations. I was thinking about the Adcom GFA-545 II. Any
opinions or experiences with this? It's got pretty decent reviews on
audioreview.com.

Any other recommendations? I suppose the type of brands I am limited to are
Rotel, NAD, Adcom, maybe Arcam. Ideally I would like to not spend more than
$275 to $300 on each unit, hence my desire to buy used.


Schiz, having auditioned amps/preamps from Adcom spanning the
past ten years, I've grown weary of them. To me, their contributing
sound is akin to a huge Sony boomboxes suffering from bulimia.
Their sound is clean and lean, but thin on dynamics.

"EddieM" wrote in message

Schiz, having auditioned amps/preamps from Adcom spanning the
past ten years, I've grown weary of them. To me, their contributing
sound is akin to a huge Sony boomboxes suffering from bulimia.
Their sound is clean and lean, but thin on dynamics.

Thanks, Eddie. Any experience with Arcam or Audio Refinement? I think that I
am steering towards an integrated now.

Schizoid Man wrote
EddieM wrote in message




Schiz, having auditioned amps/preamps from Adcom spanning the
past ten years, I've grown weary of them. To me, their contributing
sound is akin to a huge Sony boomboxes suffering from bulimia.
Their sound is clean and lean, but thin on dynamics.

Thanks, Eddie. Any experience with Arcam or Audio Refinement? I think that I
am steering towards an integrated now.

I have the Arcam FMJ T-21 Tuner, but I haven't heard amps from
both mfr.

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...

"EddieM" wrote in message

Schiz, having auditioned amps/preamps from Adcom spanning the
past ten years, I've grown weary of them. To me, their contributing
sound is akin to a huge Sony boomboxes suffering from bulimia.
Their sound is clean and lean, but thin on dynamics.

Thanks, Eddie. Any experience with Arcam or Audio Refinement? I think that
I
am steering towards an integrated now.

If you can afford the high prices for small amps, the British make the best
small amps. They seem to incorporate features of big American designs, such
as near-DC response, with proportionately reduced power.

I have a Sugden A48 mkII, love it.

They just don't have the bang-for-the-buck that Haflers do, and they don't
sound better.

"Schizoid Man" wrote in message
...

"EddieM" wrote in message

Schiz, having auditioned amps/preamps from Adcom spanning the
past ten years, I've grown weary of them. To me, their contributing
sound is akin to a huge Sony boomboxes suffering from bulimia.
Their sound is clean and lean, but thin on dynamics.

Thanks, Eddie. Any experience with Arcam or Audio Refinement? I think that
I am steering towards an integrated now.



Smart choice. Keep your CD player and find yourself a Plinius 8200, you
won't regret it. Lush, powerful, dynamic and unbreakable amp that will drive
almost anything for years to come. And it won't leave you wanting tubes
either. Power can be addictive.

Cheers,

Margaret

Schizoid Man wrote
EddieM wrote


Schiz, having auditioned amps/preamps from Adcom spanning the
past ten years, I've grown weary of them. To me, their contributing
sound is akin to a huge Sony boomboxes suffering from bulimia.
Their sound is clean and lean, but thin on dynamics.

Thanks, Eddie. Any experience with Arcam or Audio Refinement? I think that I
am steering towards an integrated now.



I just came accros this thread again, but I hope you weren't steering
away from Adcom because, among other things, of the experience
I had with them.

These were encounters I had happened under circumtances and
conditions that is without doubt will be different from yours. There's
also no doubt that I've audition only a tiny fraction of their products
wrt amps and preamps starting back in '95, and that I listen to them
in my system that differs from everyone here.

"EddieM" wrote in message

Schizoid Man wrote
EddieM wrote


Schiz, having auditioned amps/preamps from Adcom spanning the
past ten years, I've grown weary of them. To me, their contributing
sound is akin to a huge Sony boomboxes suffering from bulimia.
Their sound is clean and lean, but thin on dynamics.

Thanks, Eddie. Any experience with Arcam or Audio Refinement? I think
that I am steering towards an integrated now.



I just came accros this thread again, but I hope you weren't steering
away from Adcom because, among other things, of the experience
I had with them.

These were encounters I had happened under circumtances and
conditions that is without doubt will be different from yours. There's
also no doubt that I've audition only a tiny fraction of their products
wrt amps and preamps starting back in '95, and that I listen to them
in my system that differs from everyone here.

I think for my current needs, a separate pre/power combo might be overkill.
Since I am planning to use bookshelfs for the the immediate future I think I
could live with a good integrated.