2. amps-preamps
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Solid state amps under 1000

I know this thread has been done. I still would like more opinions. My current line up is:

Musichall MMF-25 cd player
Musichall MMF-5 Turntable
NEC T-6 tuner
C-J pv10a preamp with phono
Hafler 9500 Transnova power amp
Spica TC-60 monitor speakers
ACI Sub-One stereo subwoofers
Audioquest Crystal/type 6 tri-wire speaker cable
Various interconnects, mostly Homegrown Audio silver

I have enjoyed the Hafler for over 8 years. At 250 watts, it is probably overkill for my Spica's however (16 X 14 ft room). I love the c-j preamp and have an itch to replace the power amp. Oldest starts college this fall and finances are tight. $1000 tops. Candidates are:

Conrad Johnson 2250 (my leading choice)
Bryston 3B-St (always recomended)
Musical Fidelity A3cr (anytime Sam Tellig likes something this much, I get nervous)
Belles 150A hot rod
McCormick DNA .5 (so many versions out there)

Criteria, a definite improvement over the Hafler or why bother. A good value at or below $1000 used. A piece that will hold its value for future resale and be reliable. Must run cool as we also have a new baby in the house. Finally, if possible, looks other than a simple black box ( see why the C-J is leading).

Thanks in advance for your interest and opinions.

Paul
pcs
pcs OP
109 posts
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. Sugarbrie, I don't know much about Blue Circle, but I thought they were tube amps. Is this a solid state design? What is the power rating etc? Eric, I will look into both Odyssey and Norh amps. Obviously I would prefer to hear all the amps under consideration, but that is not possible. Please keep the thread going. Any C-J 2250 owners out there that have also heard the Belles and Musical Fidelity amps?

Paul
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Hi Paul,
Blue Circle makes three solid state amps. The BC22 is 125 watts; the BC26 is 200 watts; and the CS is 85 watts. The BC22's matching preamp is the tube BC21. It is a great combination. There are quite a few Agon members with the BC21/22 combo. I do know there is at least one happy Agon member who runs the BC22 with a CJ PV-10.
glide3
402 posts
 
Here's one you don't hear much about but it is a little wonder. The Job stereo. They can be found used for around $750. I would imagine them to be a great match with the Spica. They are a brushed silver and tiny (think cigar box) very industrial design and have a volumn pot so it can be used as a single source integrated. They are 60w and very good.
For a bit more you can get the Job mono's around $1100 used and these provide a bit more of everything.
If you go to the Glodmund site and find the Job tab you can learn about these fine amps.
I also strongly second the Coda 10.5....a very nice amp and a big bargin at that price.....maybe too much of the black box you are looking to avoid.
troy10
11 posts
 
I would easily recommend a Aragon 8008ST. I sold one, but they are definately one of the best in this price range. I currently have a Musical Fidelity A3CR. I think the MF is more revealing, but the Aragon has more muscle and finesse. It depends on what you feel is lacking in your system. You could probably get either used for 1K.
platsolos
90 posts
 
I used to have the Aragon 8008BB which is their top of the line model before getting my MF A3cr. The Aragon certainly had much more muscle, but paled in comparison when it came to musicality, transparency, detail and depth of image. Other than the great bass of the Aragon, the MF is really in a completely different class of amplifiers. The MF has much tighter, accurate bass, although less of it. I think if you A/Bed these amps, the MF would be by far the most musical and transparent amp around!
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