DigiPete Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 Adcom GFA-5800 or Adcom GFA-5500 Any opinions on the above (or any other amp) in the $500 used price range, give or take? Looking to power my Paradigm Ref 100 v4s Cheers Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Aragon 4004 would do the job nicely at the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigiPete Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Thanks! I am mulling over the following also: Brytson 3B-ST Rotel RB-1080 any others?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Given that you can solder and do casework, you could pick up some icepower modules... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 yeah, I second the question on DIY or no. If DIY, then how much so, low end of the scale being grawk's suggestion, high end of the scale being something that deals with heat sinks and the casework chores that go with it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigiPete Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Having built a Dynamite with all the requisite case/heatsink work, I am not daunted at all. But.... how would the Class Ds sound against any of the aformentioned amps?? Don't want a bright amp.... but transparent, neutral, and sweet highs. Probably want 200w into 8 ohms... ish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 The icepower amps are VERY good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigiPete Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 The icepower amps are VERY good. aaarrggghhhhh....... I must resist another DIY project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 It's really easy DIY, actually. Just connectors and casework, maybe some capacitor upgrades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigiPete Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 It's really easy DIY, actually. Just connectors and casework, maybe some capacitor upgrades. Hmmm...... ok, what you got in mind? Does it meet the Head Case audiophoole seal of approval Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigiPete Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Of course then I'm going to need a pre-amp.... here it goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I think you could put a pot on the front end of the Ice modules with out much of an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigiPete Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Good to know. I guess if the impedance is right you don't have to worry about loosing bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I think there are a few commercial products that use a pot to call the modules an "integrated" solution. But more research required, otherwise just throw a two channel something like a MINT upstream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Does it meet the Head Case audiophoole seal of approval Absolutely. To wit: DEW ET! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigiPete Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Listening to the rig through an Adcom 5400 I borrowed from a buddy, so far I like it. Hard to place what its doing over and above the Denon receiver.... subtle The sound seems more whole, bass is a bit better, less digital sounding overall, nice placement. has a tiny bit of a buzz though... I'll have to play with cables and placement of power cords to see if I can improve. The thing is f'ing tank. Gargantuan torroid in it, about three times the size of whats in the Denon 3808 receiver. This makes me think a seperate amp is definitely going to be in the cards for my speaker rig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Hey Pete, I got an email from Outlaw today saying they're doing 20% off and free shipping. That would get you to $560 for a new pair of their 2200 monoblocks, which are pretty sweet and seem to be a favorite over on the Hoffman forums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pars Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Odyssey Stratos should be doable for under $700; check Audiogon and ebay. You should be able to get the balance of the 20 year warranty. I've had mine for 5 years at least. One of these has survived Reks for a few months so far, minus a blown fuse incident... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigiPete Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 me and my money seem destined to be parted Ok, so I like an amp that is not cold and clinical, but transparent with sweet highs and just a touch or warmth. what to do.... what to do..... ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 NHT Power 2 amp, 200 wpc, ICE power, REDUCED!! - eBay (item 200283766630 end time Jan-02-09 18:00:00 PST) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 diyAudio Forums - Gb: F5 Pcb - Page 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigiPete Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Odyssey Stratos should be doable for under $700; check Audiogon and ebay. You should be able to get the balance of the 20 year warranty. I've had mine for 5 years at least. One of these has survived Reks for a few months so far, minus a blown fuse incident... How would you and Reks characterize the sound signature of this one? Looks intriguing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pars Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Odyssey uses a licensed design from the German Symphonic Line brand. Klauss Bunge (the principal and designer, etc.) of Odyssey is German and appears to have a close working relationship with Symphonic Line. I don't pretend to be an audio reviewer, but I would characterize the sound as leaning towards warm (plenty of detail, just not cold). Odyssey Audio Stratos Reviews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 If you can get a Musical Fidelity with Choke Regulation in your price range, do it. (A3, a3.2, I think most of the others are going to be too far up there, your best chance is with the a3) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torpedo Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 If you can get a Musical Fidelity with Choke Regulation in your price range, do it. (A3, a3.2, I think most of the others are going to be too far up there, your best chance is with the a3) Have you heard them Dusty? I had a A3cr pre and power amp combo and while had some "musicality" in it, the bass was overcooked driving the pair of 4312A monitors I had then, which are sensitive and quite an easy load for any amp. Not sure they're a good match for the Paradigms. Odyssey amps are quite good for the price. I tried a stereo Stratos here. Not the most transparent and clean sounding amp ever, but remarkable performance for the price indeed. Kind of honest, which is the gear I like better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.