Power amp

[realysm42]

Can anyone recommend a power amp with balanced inputs in the price range of no more than 3k?

I want to try one out and use my M-dac as the pre amp; all suggestions welcome.

Anyone tried the Primare A32 Dual Mono Stereo Power Amplifier?

[Reid Malenfant]

You could pick up quite a few different Krells under £3k :eyebrows:

No idea on the valve front, though there may well be some!

FPB200 would probably suit you sir.

[realysm42]

Just the man, thanks for the info.

I'm open to vlave suggestions, but it seems really hard to find valve stereo power amps with xlrs (or any blinking valves with xlrs for that matter lol!).

[Reid Malenfant]

For that kind of money look out for a few things & get a listen to them.. Krell wise:- KSA80B (not the standard version), this is a full class A amp & is humungous :eyebrows: KSA150 also has balanced inputs, but only runs class A up to a certain level. KSA250 is the same as the 150. FPB200 is meant to run in class A all the time, unless it gets too hot, in which case it'll go AB like the KSA150/250.

You might even find an FPB300 for less than £3k. In fact you may well be lucky & source something bigger, or a set of FPB mono blocks if you look carefully & play the waiting game ;)


On a different note, you may well find some Passlabs kit with balanced inputs at below that price.

Bryston amps may be worth checking out as well. How does a 20 year warranty sound! :eyebrows:

[The Grand Wazoo]

You're right, there are not too many valve amps with balanced operation - they're mostly of US origin: some ARC models have had it, BAT (Balanced Audio Technology - there's a clue there somewhere!), some Manleys, VAC's, Mcintosh.
There's a few things to check out.

[Chops]

You're right, there are not too many valve amps with balanced operation - they're mostly of US origin: some ARC models have had it, BAT (Balanced Audio Technology - there's a clue there somewhere!), some Manleys, VAC's, Mcintosh.

My EAR 890 has balanced inputs. Don't think it's a true balanced design though. Price new is more than the £3k budget so you'd have to find a s/h model.

Chris

[hard1175]

Jordan Acoustics
They have a nice McIntosh Mc275 with balanced inputs in their pre owned section for 2.5K

Bernie

[MartinT]

On the used market: Chord, Krell, Pass and Ayre are virtually all balanced circuits with balanced inputs. Valve amps are rarely internally balanced which is why you don't find many with balanced inputs.

[daytona600]

how about one of these sanders magtech
500wpc 8ohms 900wpc 4ohms 1600wpc 2ohms
made in usa lifetime warranty Xlr & rca inputs
use two myself

http://www.avguide.com/review/the-ten-most-significant-amplifiers-all-time?page=2&utm_campaign=Weekly%20Email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email-82

[hoopsontoast]

What about the matching Audiolab 8200MB's?
Was very impressed with them when I heard them a couple of years back.

[Firebottle]

One valve amp I do know that is balanced throughout is the Graaf GM20,

Cheers :cool:

[technobear]

Lyngdorf SDA 2175

Bel Canto do a few: S125, S300, eVo 200.2, etc.

Audio Analogue Donizetti Cento

Didn't some of the Meridian power amps have balanced input?

[The Black Adder]

I'd suggest Chord too. One like Martins, mega boogie box is that.

[Yomanze]

For the budget you could get a Krell KRC-3 preamp and something like a Krell KSA-50 or KSA-250, which would be in a totally different league to your Roksan amps, and fully balanced from DAC straight through to amp. :)

Whilst I haven't heard the Audiolab I haven't heard any DAC do as good a job as a good active pre.

Having said this, given the budget, there are many standmount speakers out there like the Usher Tiny Dancers, Amphion Argon3, ProAc Response D1 etc. that would offer a much bigger upgrade.

[wee tam]

yes a lot of the meridian ones have balanced , damned fine amps into the bargain
Lyngdorf SDA 2175

Bel Canto do a few: S125, S300, eVo 200.2, etc.

Audio Analogue Donizetti Cento

Didn't some of the Meridian power amps have balanced input?

[MartinT]

I'd suggest Chord too. One like Martins, mega boogie box is that.

It sure is, but sadly rather expensive now :(

[technobear]

yes a lot of the meridian ones have balanced , damned fine amps into the bargain

Indeed. To answer my own question, the 557 is one such.

[wee tam]

everything in the "5" series is so musically right :)
Indeed. To answer my own question, the 557 is one such.

[realysm42]

Intesting advice chaps, many thanks :)