Amplifier Headache!

[pzblues]

Hi
I'm on the lookout for an amplifier which would be a good match for my marantz 63 ki cd player and mordaunt short ms10i classic speakers. I have tried the marantz 66 ki, audiolab 8000s, denon 350se and harmon kardon(can't remember exact model). All were ok but i think i may be able to do better. On reading reviews etc i'm drawn towards the pioneer a400 and the naim nait 3. Any suggestions most welcome.

Oh, btw my musical tastes are quite varied but i do like classic rock and blues...

Thanks
Kaz

[John]

I do not know your speakers so hard to really say but the Croft is a great amp and if that is to expensive then perhaps a Rega Brio but try them in your system first or ensure you get a sale and return deal

[The Grand Wazoo]

What's your budget Kaz?

[Effem]

Hi
I'm on the lookout for an amplifier which would be a good match for my marantz 63 ki cd player and mordaunt short ms10i classic speakers. I have tried the marantz 66 ki, audiolab 8000s, denon 350se and harmon kardon(can't remember exact model). All were ok but i think i may be able to do better. On reading reviews etc i'm drawn towards the pioneer a400 and the naim nait 3. Any suggestions most welcome.

Oh, btw my musical tastes are quite varied but i do like classic rock and blues...

Thanks
Kaz

An idea of your budget would be very helpful and possibly the reasons why you didn't like the amps you have already auditioned

[chelsea]

From what i remember your cd player is a bit bright so i would stay away from the a400 and naim nait 3.

[John]

The speakers from what I read are also bright so perhaps think of something more valve in its sound Perhaps class D "Bantam golds" ?

[pzblues]

An idea of your budget would be very helpful and possibly the reasons why you didn't like the amps you have already auditioned

Hi
My budget, £300 tops(would prefer less :)) , the amps i have tried were mostly ok (very hard to explain) but each excelled in its own area but not in others, a combination of all of them would probably be perfect. I want something musical, with good detail and a bit of clout. Reading reviews of the pioneer a400 would suggest it fits the bill although i haven't heard it, the naim nait 3 is described as being very rhythmic. I've also flirted with the idea of getting rid and trying the linn classik music or arcam solo all in one systems?

Kaz

[chelsea]

I'd try the exposure x.
Usually around the £200 mark.

[Ali Tait]

Go for one of these, they are amazing for the money-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bantam-Gold-Digital-Audiophile-stereo-Amplifier-/280591824361?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item41549375e9#ht_11113wt_1139

I'd say they have all the qualities you are after.

[Effem]

Hi
My budget, £300 tops(would prefer less :)) , the amps i have tried were mostly ok (very hard to explain) but each excelled in its own area but not in others, a combination of all of them would probably be perfect. I want something musical, with good detail and a bit of clout. Reading reviews of the pioneer a400 would suggest it fits the bill although i haven't heard it, the naim nait 3 is described as being very rhythmic. I've also flirted with the idea of getting rid and trying the linn classik music or arcam solo all in one systems?

Kaz
As someone else has also said, the Pioneer tends to be a tad on the bright side, a little unrefined too and as for Naim Nait 3, "rhythmic" is not the way I would describe it. It has a relentless paciness which I find can be tiresome, although your tastes may of course differ. Subtle it isn't.

My recommendation would be a Marantz PM7200, which is one of the most underrated amps ever. Switchable between Class A and Class B it has a wonderful tonal palette which is beguiling. Well within budget secondhand. I have an XTZ D1000 integrated which is the best amp I have ever owned but is way beyond your budget and in sound terms the Marantz PM7200 comes very close.

[pzblues]

Go for one of these, they are amazing for the money-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bantam-Gold-Digital-Audiophile-stereo-Amplifier-/280591824361?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item41549375e9#ht_11113wt_1139

I'd say they have all the qualities you are after.


First I've seen of this one, only one input means it is slightly limited but it gets rave reviews. Have you tried one??

Kaz

[chelsea]

You can an input selector for a tenner.

[Ali Tait]

Yes, I have two driving my open baffles speakers actively using a Behringer DCX2496. They are not the last word in power, being about 15w/ch, but they are a very good sounding amp with more than a touch of the valve sound in the mid, but with SS clout in the bass. I think they will provide the musicality you are after. Would probably be even better if you could save a little longer and buy the monoblocks, which are not far over the top end of your budget. They will give you 40w/ch. The Gold should be fine though, as long as the MS are not too difficult a load.

Here's a pic-

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/791/imag0143h.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/221/imag0143h.jpg/)

[Ali Tait]

If you do a search on here for these amps you will see a few threads by several owners on here.

[pzblues]

I'd try the exposure x.
Usually around the £200 mark.

Thanks, how would you describe this amp's qualities, do you own one? Is it called 'exposure x 10' ?

Kaz

[chelsea]

Not anymore but used to have one and a nait 3.

The exposure was far better.
Very good musically and a clear crisp sound.
More than enough power for most speakers.
It does give a thump on turning it on as do the older naits.
Also best to use with naim or exposure speaker cable.

A lot of people like the a 400 but i found the sound a bit bright.

You shouldn't lose any money if you buy a nait 3 or a400 or exposure though.

For a cheaper amp the a&r a60 is very good value,around £50 - £80.

[worthingpagan]

Hi
My budget, £300 tops(would prefer less :)) , the amps i have tried were mostly ok (very hard to explain) but each excelled in its own area but not in others, a combination of all of them would probably be perfect. I want something musical, with good detail and a bit of clout. Reading reviews of the pioneer a400 would suggest it fits the bill although i haven't heard it, the naim nait 3 is described as being very rhythmic. I've also flirted with the idea of getting rid and trying the linn classik music or arcam solo all in one systems?

Kaz

The Yamaha A S500 is a giant killer, at around £300 or usually less it's a real hifi bargain, imo, and whf :cool:

[Peter Stockwell]

Go for one of these, they are amazing for the money-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bantam-Gold-Digital-Audiophile-stereo-Amplifier-/280591824361?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item41549375e9#ht_11113wt_1139

I'd say they have all the qualities you are after.

+1, especially if you only need a single source

[Jac Hawk]

well guess what? not only do i have a set of Mordaunt Short MS10'S but also a Pioneer A400, and yes as some of you have said this combo does sound a bit bright, i tried them together just after i got the A400 and right away thought they didn't belong together, however my MS10's aren't really my main speakers you see i use them as rears in my surround set up and my A400 is partnered with my Castles which in my view have a smoother more fluid tweeter and partner the A400 very well.

Anyway as some of you know i did quite a lot of modding to the A400, replaced the caps and messed about with the bias, and this has taken the A400 into another league, given it a smoother presentation and so opened up a wider range of speaker options, so if you don't mind doing a bit of fettling an A400 is in my opinion worth a look, i got mine off ebay for £50, so that would leave you a fist full of notes to buy the bits you need, i like to look at the A400 as the amp version of the SL1200, great in it's own right, with the potential to be truly awesome after a bit of tinkering.

[grimmers]

another vote for the marantz pm 7200

[Marco]

Hi Alan,

Welcome to AoS :)

Could you do me a favour please and pop into the Welcome area and say hello, by telling us what system you've got and what music you like?

This is required of all new members joining our community.

Cheers! :cool:

Marco.