Good amps

[dave2010]

I'm wondering what others think are good amps in different price ranges.
I'd suggest up to £250, £250-£500, £500-£1k, £1k-1.5k, >£1.5k.

I have been interested in T-Amps - see http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6050 but I wonder if they are the only contenders say in the lower end of the price ranges.

(Wonders of modern science - I thought I'd started this some while ago. Guess I didn't hit the Submit button!)

[Ashmore]

I think it's a shame this thread hasn't taken off. I realise that it's all just opinions, and given all the variables (equipment matching, environmental, personal preferences etc) would hardly be objective. Nevertheless, I imagine it would become a useful resource for some who might be putting together a shortlist...

Unfortunately I don't have much experience, but I'd say that for 250 notes second hand my Arcam A85 is pretty good (and a damn sight better than the Rotel RA05 it replaced and which cost me more).

Simon

[The Grand Wazoo]

So, we're talking about new amps at those price points are we?

[Ali Tait]

Tripath amps can be very good.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Yeah, I just got ali's hlly 90 tripath- in the sub £250 bracket thier can't be an aweful lot that would out and out better it when buying new... But second hand you can get quite a lot for £250
also, is this power amps or integrated?
What are the rules of the questions :)

[Ali Tait]

I reckon it would rival amps costing quite a bit more Hamish.How are you getting on with it?

[Clive]

What are the rules of the questions :)

I think this is why there hasn't been much response. It's a bit like asking what's a good car. We all have different requirements, speed, economy, carrying capacity etc. Same with amps....phono stage, remote control, tone controls, balance control, speaker switching, what type of speakers should it be suitable for, size, colour.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Yeah your probably right Ali!
Very well thanks, I woke up this morning wanting to listen to it which is very much a good sign! I'm still getting a handle on it but first impressions are very good!
So far the bass is perhaps the most impressive aspect - I had hopes that it would be more capable in terms of bass reproduction but my hopes have been exceded! It also doesn't quite bring out the boxyness of my speakers in the mid band innthe same way my valves do, but in doing that it also lacks a lot of the full and rich sound I like about the midband my valves give me - if that makes sence? There is plenty if clean detail and it sounds very open which is a good thing for the most part apart from innthe high frequencys where I find it just a touch on the "etched" sounding side! I have just got my speakers set up perfectly in the room in terms of sound stage and dealing with the boxyness (I managed to sneak them a good 2 inches ferther from the walls without hannah noticing which helped a huge amount) putting the hlly in the sound stage seemed different somehow, but I'm not used to having a soundstage enough yet (since I changed the room around) to comment properly but the vocals sat nicely focused in the middle!
this is all based on it running as a power to my pre amp - I have the volume on it set to about 2 o'clock and then using the volume on my pre... Is this the oposite to what you told me to do? I only did it so I could use the remote for my pre!

[chrism]

If you are looking for a power amp take a look at the Avondale S100 (dual mono). The Kit is around £1000.00 but you can buy it ready built. I use an Avondale A260 which is similar (had it for 3 years) and it's stonkingly good.

See Avondale audio.com

Regards

Chris

[Ali Tait]

I found it best with the volume set to around three quarters and driven by my pre.Think you're saying about the same?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Yes that's about exatly what I'm saying!
I'm listening to it now, it is definatly compulsive listening - one of those 'track turners' if you follow my meanin?!
Listening to zero7 at the moment, and frankly it sounds bloody amazing! On the merits of this mornings listening I would rate it higher than I did last night... Perhaps it warmed up a bit since i left it on over night?!

[Ali Tait]

Yes it's a bloody good amp,especially at the price.I think you described it very well Hamish,that's pretty much exactly how it sounded to me.

[Ali Tait]

Out of interest,try using the amp on it's own without the pre and see what you think.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Good stuff, perhaps I have a handle on it sooner than I expected to... I'm not usually that confident in my "first impressions"
The slightly etched high end is a funny one eh?! It sorta suits some music - namely zero7 sounds superb... .... ... Actually thinking about it zero7 sounded best when my amp had fresh valves... Perhaps it is produced quite softly?!
I can imagine it working very very well with speakers with a slightly more forgiving high end!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Out of interest,try using the amp on it's own without the pre and see what you think.

good idea! I'm getting a bit more of the majik ds's day time hashyness than I'm used to through the valves ... I'd perhaps expect that to be more evident without the pre in the chain?... Although that's only speculation of course....
I'm a bit routed to the sofa at the mo, il have a change round later I think... I really need to do some work at some point today!!

[Ali Tait]

That etched quality could probably be sorted with some cap changes,but maybe it's just a more typical SS sound,when you've been used to valves.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Yeah, I thought the same to be honest Ali, infact that was my initial reacation... I can't comfortably listen to the amps at work any more as they all sound really harsh... Although I think some of that can be put sown to them sharing the mains with 25 tv's!!

[Ali Tait]

Aye that wouldn't help!

[John]

Yeah your probably right Ali!
Very well thanks, I woke up this morning wanting to listen to it which is very much a good sign! I'm still getting a handle on it but first impressions are very good!
So far the bass is perhaps the most impressive aspect - I had hopes that it would be more capable in terms of bass reproduction but my hopes have been exceded! It also doesn't quite bring out the boxyness of my speakers in the mid band innthe same way my valves do, but in doing that it also lacks a lot of the full and rich sound I like about the midband my valves give me - if that makes sence? There is plenty if clean detail and it sounds very open which is a good thing for the most part apart from innthe high frequencys where I find it just a touch on the "etched" sounding side! I have just got my speakers set up perfectly in the room in terms of sound stage and dealing with the boxyness (I managed to sneak them a good 2 inches ferther from the walls without hannah noticing which helped a huge amount) putting the hlly in the sound stage seemed different somehow, but I'm not used to having a soundstage enough yet (since I changed the room around) to comment properly but the vocals sat nicely focused in the middle!
this is all based on it running as a power to my pre amp - I have the volume on it set to about 2 o'clock and then using the volume on my pre... Is this the oposite to what you told me to do? I only did it so I could use the remote for my pre!
Hamish
Remember if you do get stand mounts no matter how good they are they will always lack a bit in the bass, you might have to factor in subwoofers into the equation if you really want bass
After reading the above I am also wondering if some good sub plates to power the bass drivers and the valve amp to power mid and treble might work out for you, just do not know your system well emough. If you wish i could bring mine around sometime for you to try out for a few hours.
hat the mains quality like where you are In my system sorting out the mains had a big impact on bass detail and soundstage

[Steve Toy]

Hamish's valve amp is not short on bass.

[John]

I am not really questioning the amp Steve more how everything is intergrating into his system I heard one of Anthony amp and it sounded great
The apparent lack of bass grip could be due to a few issues
Speaker sensitivity
Poor mains
His room
I am also worried that if bass is important to Hamish then stand mounts are not the answer unless his uses sub woofers
I guess just want to say to Hamish take your time to get it right it will save you in the long run

[Ali Tait]

Don't quite see what you are getting at John? Hamish said the bass was better than he was expecting.

[John]

Yes from the hilly
Hamish was implying that he liked the Hilly in the bass and his valve amp in the mid and treble
My understanding is that the Hilly is giving him better grip so just wondering where this is heading and trying to get Hamish to fully figure out what he wants Otherwise I worry about another speaker or amp thread
Sorry Hamish I do not mean to be rude

[dave2010]

I think this is why there hasn't been much response. It's a bit like asking what's a good car. We all have different requirements, speed, economy, carrying capacity etc. Same with amps....phono stage, remote control, tone controls, balance control, speaker switching, what type of speakers should it be suitable for, size, colour.Originally I was expecting to consider new prices, but if there's older kit which can typically be obtained at reasonable and consistent prices, then why not mention that too?

I note that some round here get bargains from their local tip or car boot sales. Whilst they're of interest, I think that's an unreliable source, so I'd sugggest SH equipment which could be obtained via eBay or dealers, or from other members here.

Re integrated amp or amp (minus pre-amp), personally I'd like at least a volume control, and the ability to feed in a DAC, which I think is provided by the HLLY amps.

Keep 'em coming!

[chrism]

Hi Dave, Sorry that your thread has, well been taken over by others. I too was interested in your original question and replies about recommended amps.

I use a Beresford Caiman as a pre and then a power amp. Is this how you are configuring your set up.

Regards

[leo]

That etched quality could probably be sorted with some cap changes,but maybe it's just a more typical SS sound,when you've been used to valves.

Probably not much interest but anyway the input caps and output filter caps have quite an effect, I've only seen small pics but it looks like the Hlly uses metalised polyester which are not the best choice especially on the output filter.
The psu quality also tends to have a lot of influence on the Tripath's.
This is not to put the Hlly down in anyway, it looks fantastic value for money but obviously couldn't use all top parts and keep it low priced, with a bit of fettling I bet it offers a lot of potential

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Yes from the hilly
Hamish was implying that he liked the Hilly in the bass and his valve amp in the mid and treble
My understanding is that the Hilly is giving him better grip so just wondering where this is heading and trying to get Hamish to fully figure out what he wants Otherwise I worry about another speaker or amp thread
Sorry Hamish I do not mean to be rude

yeah, you have the wrong end of the stick buddy...
i prefer every aspect of the valve amp... the hlly has better bass than my previous tripath type amp

[John]

Ahh opps my mistake

[Ali Tait]

Probably not much interest but anyway the input caps and output filter caps have quite an effect, I've only seen small pics but it looks like the Hlly uses metalised polyester which are not the best choice especially on the output filter.
The psu quality also tends to have a lot of influence on the Tripath's.
This is not to put the Hlly down in anyway, it looks fantastic value for money but obviously couldn't use all top parts and keep it low priced, with a bit of fettling I bet it offers a lot of potential

Of interest to me Leo,I'm looking at modding this amp that Duncan built.I've ordered some Rifas for smoothing caps and also some schottkies.I've not looked at the boards yet,and not knowing much about these,what would be your recommendations?

The Hlly has a Rifa. PS cap,and the toroid is a decent size,so as you say,the boards would be ripe for modding.Duncan's amp has what looks like a toroid for each channel and 30,000uf of PS caps per channel.I haven't traced the circuit yet.I'll be replacing the caps with some large Rifas and making some diode bridges,but I'd be grateful for any other suggestions Leo.

[Ali Tait]

Sorry for the thread hijack,maybe we could start a new thread Leo?

[dave2010]

Chris
I use a Beresford Caiman as a pre and then a power amp. Is this how you are configuring your set up.
Actually at present I do use my Caiman feeding into an integrated amp, but I hardly ever switch the inputs now on the amp, as the Caiman works so well.

I realised a bit earlier that my requirements haven't been too well thought out. I actually have a spare amp, so if I simply want to have another set up around I can get that out and wire it up with some loudspeakers - also lurking around.

Two other factors are size and quality. On the one hand I might want to have a seriously good amp, and replace everything I've got at present, while on the other hand some of those T-amps are small, and could work fine with something like a Squeezebox, for example in a bedroom, or office.

I was nevertheless hoping that I'd get some fairly up to date tips on good amps. I rather liked the MF A5, though it's big, and maybe that's not such a good idea. I also thought that some others might like to have a list of amps in different price ranges.

[leo]

Sorry for the thread hijack,maybe we could start a new thread Leo?

Sure why not:)

Be easier if we can collect as much info for the amp and stick everything in one place, type of chip etc so we can look at the datasheet.
Example the output filter caps is worth using lowest inductance , some of the plastic wound higher inductance types can be a little ringy in the high's, metalised polyester seem quite a popular choice in a lot of these Chinese amps, maybe because their cheap? either way I'd rip them out


Anyway enough off topic on here :o

[Ali Tait]

Ok I'll take some pics tomorrow and post them up.It's a TA2022 amp.

[leo]

Ok I'll take some pics tomorrow and post them up.It's a TA2022 amp.

Yes, he may have already sorted most of it leaving you little to try :)
You really get to hear the signature of the coupling caps used with the Tripath's too

[Ali Tait]

The power supply is well fettled,but I don't think the boards have been touched.

[dave2010]

Sorry for the thread hijack,maybe we could start a new thread Leo?Depends! You might as well just stick around here for a while, unless you're going to generate another 50 posts about caps and resistors :)

Intrigued - you mentioned you like the HLLY - but you also said you prefer your valve amp. Which one is that, and is it affordable. Would that be your top recommendation in its range?

I'm just debating (with myself) whether I've got more money than sense, and whether, for example, to try out one of those Bantam units. On the other hand I could invest in BP.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

skip the bantam and go for the hlly... its much much better and not much more money!
my valve amp is better than the hlly in every sence, but it cost 10 times more than a new hlly... (did you mean to aim that at me?)

[Ali Tait]

Hi Dave,
IMO the Hlly is as good if not better than a lot of valve amps,and certainly anywhere near the cost.One I would recommend is the World Designs KEL84,a kit amp that is a real giant killer,but again it's 3-4 times the cost of the Hlly.If SPPV is paramount,then I'd have to recommend the Hlly,though you may find a secondhand KEL for 2-300 if you keep an eye out.

[Ali Tait]

BTW the new thread will have to wait Leo,my router is buggered (doing this on my phone) I'll post pics next week when the new router arrives.

[leo]

BTW the new thread will have to wait Leo,my router is buggered (doing this on my phone) I'll post pics next week when the new router arrives.

No probs Ali, whenever its convenient mate ;)
Sounds like it may already be fettled although its worth going over just incase

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I can't tell you how please with this hlly I am Ali!
How can it cost so little? It really belies belife!

[dave2010]

Hamish
skip the bantam and go for the hlly... its much much better and not much more money!
my valve amp is better than the hlly in every sence, but it cost 10 times more than a new hlly... (did you mean to aim that at me?)Which Bantam are you referring to? I mean the new Bantam Gold - have you heard it? If not, how can you be so sure the HLLY is better?

OK - another valve person! Which one have you got? Around £1.5k? There might be some around here who'd pay that much. I might - though there is "other user" acceptability to consider. How would your valve system compare with, say, a MF A5, which is similarly priced?

Also, if you have valve units do you leave them on all the time? If so, doesn't that consume power unnecessarily, and also perhaps be a potential fire hazard?

I leave some of my kit on a lot of the time, but I'm not sure I'd want to have valve systems on - I suppose it depends on the power though. Maybe no worse than leaving a small light bulb on, and of course would keep you warm in the winter.

Thanks for replying.

[Ali Tait]

I never leave valve kit on when I'm not there,too much potential for harm.Not a big problem,they normally warm up in 15-30 minutes.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Just the standard bantam, and I haven't heard the bantam gold. But I'd be willing to put money on the hlly still coming out on top over the bantam gold! I just can't see how the bantam is ever gonna have the bass authority of the hlly ... Perhaps I'm wrong, but I doubt it!

I have a tube distictions modified pure sound a30, it was indeed around £1500 but then I had to have a pre amp built as it was modded into a power amp!
It spends it's time switched off when not in use bit seems to only take 15-20 minutes to sound most of the way to how it should, then after about an hour it sounds 100%
i often switch it on half hour prior to listening anyway so that's not really an issue

i bought it off steve toy after he brought it round to mine, I was so shocked by how good it was with steves pre amp I asked Anthony of tube distictions to build me a pre like steves to go with the power amp.
I ended up spending much more than I ever intended but can't see me moving on from this amp/pre for a long long time!

[Ali Tait]

Agree about the Bantam Hamish,it uses a different chipset to the Hlly.The TA2022 is known for it's bass from what I've read.

[Ali Tait]

BTW,I believe the amp can be bridged,so you could have two with twice the power!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Yep, I read that yesterday ... I'm on the look out for a second one at the mo :)

[Ali Tait]

Good,let us know how it goes if you get one.I'd guess even more bass authority.