Got a Musical Fidelity 'The Pre Amp' any suggestions for a good power amplifier ?

[nickthechef]

Hi All,

Thought I would throw this one out there.

Got a really nice immaculate version of this pre-amp. In fact this exact one.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?11665-Sale-or-Swap-Musical-Fidelity-quot-The-Preamp-quot

Am looking for a quality power amp to go with it. Got a budget of around £300/400 for something second hand. Was thinking Quad 606 or something similar..

Music wise I like a lot of 'indy' and acoustic music. Basically a lot of natural sounding recordings.

Speakers are Dali Zensor 3's

Any suggestions would be lovely !

[Ali Tait]

This could be a good choice-

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?34952-Consonance-C200-power-amp

[DSJR]

A Quad 606mk2 is an excellent choice - loads of power which properly increases into 4 ohms, UK build so better caps than late 909's had (although it's fixable) and a very well known and capable circuit that has stood the test of time and which doesn't need loads doing to it to keep it sounding sweet. I'm sure the recommendation above is fine too, but I don't know it sadly.

[nickthechef]

Hi Dave,

Have been looking at these for a while.
Are they expensive to maintain?

I have a Technics SE-A1000 Reference power amp running on it at the mo which sounds actually quite pleasant but am looking for a big step up.I take it the Quad should do that?

[walpurgis]

I agree with Dave,

a Quad would be a good match. The MF 'The Pre Amp' can sound a bit 'in yer face' with the wrong power amp and is best used with a not too bright/forward sounding power amp, the 606 has a nice well controlled sound.

A Cambridge Audio P500 or Audiolab 8000P would probably suit too. They've been around for a while and would probably benefit from servicing before serious use, but they'd work with the MF.

[struth]

I have a P500 and it is a really good power amp that can be had for reasonable sums these days.

[KONDO]

Hi All,

Thought I would throw this one out there.

Got a really nice immaculate version of this pre-amp. In fact this exact one.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?11665-Sale-or-Swap-Musical-Fidelity-quot-The-Preamp-quot

Am looking for a quality power amp to go with it. Got a budget of around £300/400 for something second hand. Was thinking Quad 606 or something similar..

Music wise I like a lot of 'indy' and acoustic music. Basically a lot of natural sounding recordings.

Speakers are Dali Zensor 3's

Any suggestions would be lovely ! my croft twinstar 1 400pp,alloy front,chrome cover.yours charlie

[wee tee cee]

Maybe a bit left field but have you considered Temple audio mono blocks?

[nickthechef]

Maybe a bit left field but have you considered Temple audio mono blocks?


Looks interesting, however looking fir something with a bit more power to drive the Dali speakers

[nickthechef]

I agree with Dave,



a Quad would be a good match. The MF 'The Pre Amp' can sound a bit 'in yer face' with the wrong power amp and is best used with a not too bright/forward sounding power amp, the 606 has a nice well controlled sound.



A Cambridge Audio P500 or Audiolab 8000P would probably suit too. They've been around for a while and would probably benefit from servicing before serious use, but they'd work with the MF.


Have had Audiolab before actually and really liked them. Interesting idea to mix the two. The 8000p is more reasonably priced as well. Could be worth investigating. Thanks

[myles]

I have a Denon POA-2400 power amp that you are more than welcome to take away and audition. It's a big old bruiser that does everything fantastically. I'm in Marlow so not astronomically far away.
http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj359/myles1972/Planar%202/20141101_104035_zpsx5grwvpv.jpg

[Rush2112]

Not sure how easy these are to find but how about MF P180 and perhaps a CRPS too ?

[Rush2112]

http://2ndhandhifi.co.uk/sold/musical-fidelity-p180-power-amplifier-with-crps-choke-regulated-power-supply

[struth]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-CAMBRIDGE-AUDIO-P500-STEREO-POWER-AMPLIFIER-in-V-G-C-/301447973824?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item462fb30bc0

just listed on ebay...looks in good nick.

[Andrei]

Pologies to Nick et al for a hi-jack. It is a related topic as I think I am in the same boat. I too have a pre-amp (ATC) and require a power amp: budget is variable. Up to 1.5K quid if the power amp is for keeps, otherwise something cheap and cheerful pending better things. I should add that the ATC P1 power amp is not really an option as I am looking for something (a) a bit different, and (b) does not operate in Class A all the way to 100W (we are getting temps of 30 degrees at the moment) and also my power bill is cutting into my single malt budget.

[Floyddroid]

Defo, i would go the 606 route. cracking amp.

[DSJR]

QUAD 606? Bargain, stable, will happily drive 200W+ into a 4 ohm load, looks boring and forgettable in use because of this, but a great future classic and priced a tiny fraction of the closely related current model, which despite cheaper manufacture, costs multiples of the 909 price.....

This whole Class A thing is silly these days IMO. Modern transistors are so much better matched they don't NEED to be biased full-on to work in a properly linear fashion. hell, even Naim's don't exhibit much if any severe crossover distortion these days I understand and at the power levels most listen at (a very few Watts a lot of the time), many amps are running in class A anyway.

I had the ATC power amp that matched their expensive pre (I still can't remember the model). Weighed a ton, loads of metal/iron inside it, yet the bias drifted all over the place and by six years old, the trip prevented the amp from working due to excessive DC on the outputs, just as I wanted to sell it (I'd gone back to active ATC's). ATC adjusted it and all was well again for the new owner, but it sort of put me off when other solid state amps either self adjust or don't drift off in the first place!!!!!

[nickthechef]

Thanks all for your input.
Quad looks interesting and so does Audiolab (have had them before and liked them)

Food for thought!

Cheers

[nickthechef]

Well in an update I have taken the plunge and gone a bit left field.

Was about to buy a Quad 909 when a Naim NAP100 power amp got thrown into the mix.
Completely different but I am going to give it a try.

I know Naim have one hell of a reputation so will let you know how it goes.

[walpurgis]

Well in an update I have taken the plunge and gone a bit left field.

Was about to buy a Quad 909 when a Naim NAP100 power amp got thrown into the mix.
Completely different but I am going to give it a try.

I know Naim have one hell of a reputation so will let you know how it goes.

Not a move I'd make, but it's your money. I'd have picked the Quad.

[nickthechef]

Why not Naim? I am not driving massive speakers? Dali Zensor 3's
Just in case I have also got my eye on a Quad 909, so can move the Naim to another system.

[nickthechef]

In an updated update,
Got the Naim power amp in the end and all I can say is WOW!

What a difference. Incredible little amp. Clean, tight and really clear sounding. Have started listening to all my favourite albums again.
Happy days