A change of amp. Opinions please.

[Stiffy]

Has anyone got or heard one of the following amps?

Onkyo 9030 / 9050
Denon PMA-720AE
Sansui SAP-201
Pioneer A-30

My current amp is a Yamaha as-500 which I find a bit sterile if that's the right word so I'm thinking about changing it but have a very modest budget. In fact I would really only be looking to spend up to £300 tops on a new amp or £150 on a used one.

The ones I've listed above are the models in my budget stocked by my local dealer, apart from what I already have and the obligatory Marantz range.

I listen mainly to rock using Tannoy Mercury V4's and can't stand overly bright SQ, it messes with my head.

Anyone got any opinions? Polite & helpful ones please. :lol:

[The Grand Wazoo]

What's the logic behind halving the budget for a secondhand amp? You could easily blow a new £300 amp into the weeds with the same priced used amp.

[Stiffy]

I get your point but I don't think the rest of my kit is up to what I would likely get used for £300 if that makes sense.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I think it would be a mistake - take the opportunity to get something that will last you through another upgrade or two. How could that be a bad thing?

[Stiffy]

Aye you're right.

[Roy S]

I was using the same amp/speaker combination until fairly recently & was never satisfied with the sound (tried them with Sony amps as well & they were even brighter).

I've now got the Tannoys powered by a Quad 77 amp & they sound much better but I am kind of coming to the conclusion that generally they're not that good (having more fun with a little pair of Gale 4s I got for a tenner!)

[The Grand Wazoo]

What sources will you be needing to accommodate John?

[Macca]

Here is a review of those Tannoys using the same Yamaha amp:

http://licensetoquill.co.uk/2011/06/05/tannoy-mercury-v4-floorstanding-speakers-review/2/

Note this bit:

With that said, musically speaking, Hometown still sounds exciting. The treble and mids are powerful and beautifully balanced but never shrill or tinny.

Okay that's one person's opinion but does suggest to me that you might consider that either your source or your room might be the cause of the overly bright sound.

[Roy S]

Favourable reviews like that were the reason I went for the V4s in the first place (followed by the Yamaha amp) but the sound never gelled for me, specially with rock music.

Chris has said on my gallery thread that my speaker positioning looks 'compromised' so maybe I should try moving the speakers & revisit this combo...

[Stiffy]

What sources will you be needing to accommodate John?

A Yamaha CDS-300, Ariston RD60 TT and a Sony QS something or other tuner.
Although I could sell the lot and start again if need be but the missus will go berserk :doh:

[The Grand Wazoo]

I seem to remember you were thinking of buying a separate phono stage. Did you do that or will a new amp need to have one in it?

[Stiffy]

I seem to remember you were thinking of buying a separate phono stage. Did you do that or will a new amp need to have one in it?


I've kind of got one lined up but if it was a good integrated one then all the better.

[Stiffy]

I was using the same amp/speaker combination until fairly recently & was never satisfied with the sound (tried them with Sony amps as well & they were even brighter).

I've now got the Tannoys powered by a Quad 77 amp & they sound much better but I am kind of coming to the conclusion that generally they're not that good (having more fun with a little pair of Gale 4s I got for a tenner!)

I had a pair of MA Bronze BX2's previously and found them worse than the Tannoys. I didn't like them at all despite all the hifi press hype.

[twickers]

I had a pair of MA Bronze BX2's previously and found them worse than the Tannoys. I didn't like them at all despite all the hifi press hype.

I tried some BX2's last week and the treble still sounded a bit unruly even after about 60 hours of running them in.

The Dali Zensor 1 that i've got on home trial at the mo, sound much more even handed but maybe not as much detail as the BX2's? Very good tho'.

[Stiffy]

I've also got a pair of Mordaunt Short MS55Ti's that are about 28yrs old and sound better in my opinion despite their years.

I suppose they would cost considerably more than my Tannoys if they could be bought new today. I'm sure they cost more in 1985 come to think of it.

[The Grand Wazoo]

God, don't go getting the idea that new is better just because it's newer!
Ten minutes pootling around in the backwaters of AoS will tell you how many of us use old speakers in preference to new ones.

[synsei]

I've also got a pair of Mordaunt Short MS55Ti's that are about 28yrs old and sound better in my opinion despite their years.

I suppose they would cost considerably more than my Tannoys if they could be bought new today. I'm sure they cost more in 1985 come to think of it.

Well John, I need to ask: Why aren't the 55Ti's in your system if they sound better? :scratch:

My speakers are over 40 years old and I haven't heard many modern speakers which better them ;)

[Kember]

For £300 you might score a second-hand CEC 3300.

I have one in my study system. There is a whole lot of marketing voodoo about this amp, which I'd just ignore, because I don't understand it!

It sounds fine, powers almost anything and does not get too hot.

http://www.china-highend-hifi.com/C.E.C.%20AMP3300%20-%20001b.jpg

Detail at http://www.china-highend-hifi.com/prod01123131234.htm

No phono stage but that may not be a problem.

HTH

Peter

[Stiffy]

Well John, I need to ask: Why aren't the 55Ti's in your system if they sound better? :scratch:

My speakers are over 40 years old and I haven't heard many modern speakers which better them ;)

They are from time to time. I swop em around when I get bored.

[navigator]

£300/rock/phono/with dynamic heft/----low end rotel or nad [with cheap phono stage eg goldring]
Speakers need to be good at low mid/high bass .If not then try against wall to boost that range cos ts crucial for enjoyment of rock. Room may need thick mat and or reflectors esp if walls are bass sucking plasterboard. Otherwise turn it up!!! and use tone controls.
OOOPPPPPs i'm off to wash mouth out
Its about enjoying music not gear --enjoy!!!

[DSJR]

The Quad 77 integrated is a very musical and sweet toned amp, let down only by the iffy remote interface (on some samples) and lack of inputs.

[hoopsontoast]

Has anyone got or heard one of the following amps?

Onkyo 9030 / 9050
Denon PMA-720AE
Sansui SAP-201
Pioneer A-30

My current amp is a Yamaha as-500 which I find a bit sterile if that's the right word so I'm thinking about changing it but have a very modest budget. In fact I would really only be looking to spend up to £300 tops on a new amp or £150 on a used one.

The ones I've listed above are the models in my budget stocked by my local dealer, apart from what I already have and the obligatory Marantz range.

I listen mainly to rock using Tannoy Mercury V4's and can't stand overly bright SQ, it messes with my head.

Anyone got any opinions? Polite & helpful ones please. :lol:

For about £300 used, you could get the following:

Restek Challenger - More than enough of power and drive, great dynamics.
Sony ES (various, like the TA-F770ES) - Plenty of power and smooth with it. Refined.
Denon PMA-1500AE (I had the PMA-2000AE) - if they are at all alike, much like the Sony ES stuff.

[Alan]

I like Hoop's suggestion - especially the Sony. I'd also look at a vintage serviced Crown amplifier (old pro gear - think vintage Bryston), or big old Magnum (like MF250), or even an old Claymore.

No remotes there, but surely a lot of fun.