Looking for a new power amp

Re: Looking for a new power amp

bear <bearlabs@netzero,net > wrote:

> Ummm... sorry to disagree with your assertion regarding the vernerable
> Bryston and the venerable Krell amps.
>
> Interestingly enough the earlier "classic" (can we call them that now?)
> versions of both amplifiers - the ones that made them "famous" - had
> *identical* topology! That means the same circuit.

I know only the latest SST series - and they are very distortion free.
Never checked any Krell amps, think they are way overpriced. Bryston is
expensive, but not that bad.

At home I have just a small Rotel integrated ...

cug

-- http :// www .event-s,net

Re: Looking for a new power amp

On Jan 28, 10:13 pm, Ted <the busmas...@msn,com > wrote:
> Unfortunately, my McIntosh2500 power amp was turned into a paperweight
> by a shipping company. So now I'd like to find something to replace
> it. I'm using a McIntosh c-38 preamp, so I'd simply like to have some
> opinions as to whether to use a tube power amp or a SS. My speakers
> are a pair of Infinity RS!!'s with the emit tweeters. I don't need
> anything near the power of the 2500 to get some decent sound out of
> the them, so the question again becomes what might be substituted at a
> reasonable cost. Thanks..Ted

If you like the McIntosh house "sound" (and I assume you do since you
have a C-38), my humble advice wold be to stay within the McIntosh
family. And I also think you really do need to stay in the 200 wpc
range with these particular Infinity speakers (For those of you
unfamiliar with this good speaker, click on http :// tinyurl,com /396ejo)
- This speaker dips below 4 ohms across much of its bandwidth and is a
difficult load for many amps, so I believe you do need an amp that
does not mind seeing low-impedance loads.

If you liked the MC2500, consider an MC2300. Many Mac enthusiasts
consider it even better sounding than the MC2500 and it pumps out the
same power.

And I'd also look at the MC2200, MC2205, MC2250 and MC2255 if you
liked the sound of your MC2500 - All of these would be very close
sonic matches and would easily power your Infinity speakers. You can
research the specs on these vintage amps on Roger Russell's site at
http :// www .roger-russell,com /aboutmc.htm

Good luck in finding a replacement.

Re: Looking for a new power amp

"Ted" <the_busmaster@msn,com > wrote in message
news:fnm5l50bvs@news1.newsguy,com

> Unfortunately, my McIntosh2500 power amp was turned into
> a paperweight by a shipping company. So now I'd like to
> find something to replace it. I'm using a McIntosh c-38
> preamp, so I'd simply like to have some opinions as to
> whether to use a tube power amp or a SS. My speakers are
> a pair of Infinity RS!!'s with the emit tweeters. I
> don't need anything near the power of the 2500 to get
> some decent sound out of the them, so the question again
> becomes what might be substituted at a reasonable cost.

Of 125 wpc suffices, then try a Behringer A500. AFAIK it will pass a
straight wire bypass test into a tough speaker load, which is all you should
expect from a power amp.

Re: Looking for a new power amp

> Of 125 wpc suffices, then try a Behringer A500. AFAIK it will pass a
> straight wire bypass test into a tough speaker load, which is all you should
> expect from a power amp.

Have you tried this AMP? I considered it once based on the "audio
critics" recommendation but searching the Internet found a lot of
complaints about its reliability. I have got a feeling (I may be
wrong) that audio objectivists (if I may describe you as such) laud
this AMP without having had to live with it.

Re: Looking for a new power amp

"Steve" <goldstarsteve@gmail,com > wrote in message
news:foclsu02is0@news1.newsguy,com

>> Of 125 wpc suffices, then try a Behringer A500. AFAIK it
>> will pass a straight wire bypass test into a tough
>> speaker load, which is all you should expect from a
>> power amp.

Here's a published technical test of one:

http :// theaudiocritic,com /blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=20&blogId=1

> Have you tried this AMP?

Yes, I have one.

> I considered it once based on
> the "audio critics" recommendation but searching the
> Internet found a lot of complaints about its reliability.

Not a problem for us.

I searched the web for confirmation of the idea that there are reliability
problems with the A500 and came up empty. Maybe you have some URLs?

Here's a guy with seven of them:

http :// forums.audioholics,com /forums/archive/index.php/t-22943.html

> I have got a feeling (I may be wrong) that audio

> objectivists (if I may describe you as such) laud this
> AMP without having had to live with it.

Amps are generally reliable for me. The last amp I creamed was a Pioneer 100
wpc stereo receiver, that I managed to fry with some highly questionable
audio from a TV set with a partially-broken sound section. Fortunately, the
probable ultrasonic noise that creamed the amp did not hurt the speakers.

Re: Looking for a new power amp

"Arny Krueger" <arnyk@hotpop,com > wrote in message
news:focqun022o1@news4.newsguy,com ...
> "Steve" <goldstarsteve@gmail,com > wrote in message
> news:foclsu02is0@news1.newsguy,com
>
>>> Of 125 wpc suffices, then try a Behringer A500. AFAIK it
>>> will pass a straight wire bypass test into a tough
>>> speaker load, which is all you should expect from a
>>> power amp.
>
> Here's a published technical test of one:
>
> http :// theaudiocritic,com /blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=20&blogId=1
>
>> Have you tried this AMP?
>
> Yes, I have one.
>
>> I considered it once based on
>> the "audio critics" recommendation but searching the
>> Internet found a lot of complaints about its reliability.
>
> Not a problem for us.
>
> I searched the web for confirmation of the idea that there are reliability
> problems with the A500 and came up empty. Maybe you have some URLs?
>
> Here's a guy with seven of them:
>
> http :// forums.audioholics,com /forums/archive/index.php/t-22943.html
>
>> I have got a feeling (I may be wrong) that audio
>
>> objectivists (if I may describe you as such) laud this
>> AMP without having had to live with it.
>
> Amps are generally reliable for me. The last amp I creamed was a Pioneer
> 100
> wpc stereo receiver, that I managed to fry with some highly questionable
> audio from a TV set with a partially-broken sound section. Fortunately,
> the
> probable ultrasonic noise that creamed the amp did not hurt the speakers.
>

I've often considered items such as Behringer's A500 (for lesser
applications in secondary systems). I believe its input jacks are only of
the professional 'balanced' variety, (additionally IIRC this amp has been
said not particularly durable, failing too often). Is there and adapter
available to allow for the more common "hobbyist's" RCA plug to fit into
their XLR jacks? If so, could you kindly point me in its direction.

Re: Looking for a new power amp

"Norman M. Schwartz" <nmsz@optonline,net > wrote in message
news:fof9ju0sp2@news3.newsguy,com

> I've often considered items such as Behringer's A500 (for
> lesser applications in secondary systems). I believe its
> input jacks are only of the professional 'balanced'
> variety,

The A500 has unbalanced phono jacks, as well as 1/4" and XLR balanced jacks
for inputs.

Re: Looking for a new power amp

Try here, Norman...under cables and connectors. You are looking for an
RCA->XLR adaptor. BSW carries the ubiquitous HOSA brand and they are a
reasonable connector:

Hosa GXM133

http :// www .bswusa,com /proditem.asp?item=GXM133m

Harry

"Norman M. Schwartz" <nmsz@optonline,net > wrote in message
news:fof9ju0sp2@news3.newsguy,com ...
> "Arny Krueger" <arnyk@hotpop,com > wrote in message
> news:focqun022o1@news4.newsguy,com ...
>> "Steve" <goldstarsteve@gmail,com > wrote in message
>> news:foclsu02is0@news1.newsguy,com
>>
>>>> Of 125 wpc suffices, then try a Behringer A500. AFAIK it
>>>> will pass a straight wire bypass test into a tough
>>>> speaker load, which is all you should expect from a
>>>> power amp.
>>
>> Here's a published technical test of one:
>>
>> http :// theaudiocritic,com /blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=20&blogId=1
>>
>>> Have you tried this AMP?
>>
>> Yes, I have one.
>>
>>> I considered it once based on
>>> the "audio critics" recommendation but searching the
>>> Internet found a lot of complaints about its reliability.
>>
>> Not a problem for us.
>>
>> I searched the web for confirmation of the idea that there are
>> reliability
>> problems with the A500 and came up empty. Maybe you have some URLs?
>>
>> Here's a guy with seven of them:
>>
>> http :// forums.audioholics,com /forums/archive/index.php/t-22943.html
>>
>>> I have got a feeling (I may be wrong) that audio
>>
>>> objectivists (if I may describe you as such) laud this
>>> AMP without having had to live with it.
>>
>> Amps are generally reliable for me. The last amp I creamed was a Pioneer
>> 100
>> wpc stereo receiver, that I managed to fry with some highly questionable
>> audio from a TV set with a partially-broken sound section. Fortunately,
>> the
>> probable ultrasonic noise that creamed the amp did not hurt the speakers.
>>
>
> I've often considered items such as Behringer's A500 (for lesser
> applications in secondary systems). I believe its input jacks are only of
> the professional 'balanced' variety, (additionally IIRC this amp has been
> said not particularly durable, failing too often). Is there and adapter
> available to allow for the more common "hobbyist's" RCA plug to fit into
> their XLR jacks? If so, could you kindly point me in its direction.
>

Re: Looking for a new power amp

On Thu, 7 Feb 2008 07:54:38 -0800, Norman M. Schwartz wrote
(in article <fof9ju0sp2@news3.newsguy,com >):

> "Arny Krueger" <arnyk@hotpop,com > wrote in message
> news:focqun022o1@news4.newsguy,com ...
>> "Steve" <goldstarsteve@gmail,com > wrote in message
>> news:foclsu02is0@news1.newsguy,com
>>
>>>> Of 125 wpc suffices, then try a Behringer A500. AFAIK it
>>>> will pass a straight wire bypass test into a tough
>>>> speaker load, which is all you should expect from a
>>>> power amp.
>>
>> Here's a published technical test of one:
>>
>> http :// theaudiocritic,com /blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=20&blogId=
>> 1
>>
>>> Have you tried this AMP?
>>
>> Yes, I have one.
>>
>>> I considered it once based on
>>> the "audio critics" recommendation but searching the
>>> Internet found a lot of complaints about its reliability.
>>
>> Not a problem for us.
>>
>> I searched the web for confirmation of the idea that there are reliability
>> problems with the A500 and came up empty. Maybe you have some URLs?
>>
>> Here's a guy with seven of them:
>>
>> http :// forums.audioholics,com /forums/archive/index.php/t-22943.html
>>
>>> I have got a feeling (I may be wrong) that audio
>>
>>> objectivists (if I may describe you as such) laud this
>>> AMP without having had to live with it.
>>
>> Amps are generally reliable for me. The last amp I creamed was a Pioneer
>> 100
>> wpc stereo receiver, that I managed to fry with some highly questionable
>> audio from a TV set with a partially-broken sound section. Fortunately,
>> the
>> probable ultrasonic noise that creamed the amp did not hurt the speakers.
>>
>
> I've often considered items such as Behringer's A500 (for lesser
> applications in secondary systems). I believe its input jacks are only of
> the professional 'balanced' variety, (additionally IIRC this amp has been
> said not particularly durable, failing too often). Is there and adapter
> available to allow for the more common "hobbyist's" RCA plug to fit into
> their XLR jacks? If so, could you kindly point me in its direction.
>

Most music stores that sell sound reinforcement and recording equipment can
help you here, or you can go to someplace like Spectrum Electronics on the
web and purchase an XLR Male to RCA Female adapter like the one shown here:

http :// www .allspectrum,com /store/product_info.php?products_id=816

for about $4.00 each.

Re: Looking for a new power amp

"Sonnova" <sonnova@audiosanatorium,com > wrote in message
news:fofui001if@news4.newsguy,com ...
> On Thu, 7 Feb 2008 07:54:38 -0800, Norman M. Schwartz wrote
> (in article <fof9ju0sp2@news3.newsguy,com >):
>
>> "Arny Krueger" <arnyk@hotpop,com > wrote in message
>> news:focqun022o1@news4.newsguy,com ...
>>> "Steve" <goldstarsteve@gmail,com > wrote in message
>>> news:foclsu02is0@news1.newsguy,com
>>>
>>>>> Of 125 wpc suffices, then try a Behringer A500. AFAIK it
>>>>> will pass a straight wire bypass test into a tough
>>>>> speaker load, which is all you should expect from a
>>>>> power amp.
>>>
>>> Here's a published technical test of one:
>>>
>>> http :// theaudiocritic,com /blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=20&blogId=
>>> 1
>>>
>>>> Have you tried this AMP?
>>>
>>> Yes, I have one.
>>>
>>>> I considered it once based on
>>>> the "audio critics" recommendation but searching the
>>>> Internet found a lot of complaints about its reliability.
>>>
>>> Not a problem for us.
>>>
>>> I searched the web for confirmation of the idea that there are
>>> reliability
>>> problems with the A500 and came up empty. Maybe you have some URLs?
>>>
>>> Here's a guy with seven of them:
>>>
>>> http :// forums.audioholics,com /forums/archive/index.php/t-22943.html
>>>
>>>> I have got a feeling (I may be wrong) that audio
>>>
>>>> objectivists (if I may describe you as such) laud this
>>>> AMP without having had to live with it.
>>>
>>> Amps are generally reliable for me. The last amp I creamed was a Pioneer
>>> 100
>>> wpc stereo receiver, that I managed to fry with some highly questionable
>>> audio from a TV set with a partially-broken sound section. Fortunately,
>>> the
>>> probable ultrasonic noise that creamed the amp did not hurt the
>>> speakers.
>>>
>>
>> I've often considered items such as Behringer's A500 (for lesser
>> applications in secondary systems). I believe its input jacks are only of
>> the professional 'balanced' variety, (additionally IIRC this amp has been
>> said not particularly durable, failing too often). Is there and adapter
>> available to allow for the more common "hobbyist's" RCA plug to fit into
>> their XLR jacks? If so, could you kindly point me in its direction.
>>
>
> Most music stores that sell sound reinforcement and recording equipment
> can
> help you here, or you can go to someplace like Spectrum Electronics on the
> web and purchase an XLR Male to RCA Female adapter like the one shown
> here:
>
> http :// www .allspectrum,com /store/product_info.php?products_id=816
>
> for about $4.00 each.

Thanks to all those who responded to my inquiry.
Norman

Re: Looking for a new power amp

"Ted" <the_busmaster@msn,com > wrote in message
news:fnm5l50bvs@news1.newsguy,com ...
> Unfortunately, my McIntosh2500 power amp was turned into a paperweight
> by a shipping company. So now I'd like to find something to replace
> it. I'm using a McIntosh c-38 preamp, so I'd simply like to have some
> opinions as to whether to use a tube power amp or a SS. My speakers
> are a pair of Infinity RS!!'s with the emit tweeters. I don't need
> anything near the power of the 2500 to get some decent sound out of
> the them, so the question again becomes what might be substituted at a
> reasonable cost. Thanks..Ted

The best power amp I used with my Infinity RSIIb's were the Nestorovic Alpha
1 monoblocs. I upgraded my speakers to the Infinity RS1b's and the
Nestorovic pair were then no longer suitable.

Mike