Best power amplifiers under $5k

[Randy Myers]

Since we did it for DACs, how about opinions on amplifiers at or under $5k (in other words more realistic price for a vast majority of people looking for an audiophile amplifier)... I'll start...

* First Watt SIT 3
* Audio Mirror SET 45 mono blocks
* McIntosh MC152
* PS Audio M700 mono blocks
* T+A AMP 8
* Goldmund Job 225

I am very sure there are many other solid contenders in this range.

[CPP]

PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium
Rogue Audio Atlas Magnum
Goldmund Job 225
Vincent SP331 MK
Byston 2.5B 3 cubed
Naim Supernait 2

[bart]

4K for these:

http://www.halgorythme.com/blocs_mon...0b_12-18w.html


I own 48W versions of these (9K):

http://www.halgorythme.com/blocs_mon...5_eml_24w.html

[Mike]

Odyssey
SIT-3
Parasound
PrimaLuna
T+A Amp8
Job225


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[nc42acc]

Nord 1200as
Rogue ST100

[Sean]

For a tad over $5K, the newest iteration of the Bryson 4B can be had. Not bad for 300 watts of clean power.

[jadedavid]

Add VALVET E-2 to the list.
A real sleeper.

[Paul]

For a tad over $5K, the newest iteration of the Bryson 4B can be had. Not bad for 300 watts of clean power.

+1 4B3 Cubed is excellent amp

[Mechnutt]

AVA FET Valve 400R, 600R and Ultravalve

[Mr Peabody]

ATI 3000 ( a monster, requires a real 20 amp outlet )
Parasound A21

Audio Alchemy monoblocks, not sure the model number ( outcome is system dependent, IMO. I heard two demos and one was quite a bit more impressive than the other, although the less impressive wasn't bad )

[matt_zak]

Have heard:

Bel Canto REF600M
ATI 3000
Jolida JD 1000P
PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP
Mcintosh MC152
Bryston 3B (4B for just over)

Haven't heard but probably sound great:

First Watt SIT-3
Job 225
T+A AMP8
Unison Unico DM
Halgorythme
Graaf (they still around?)

[Randy Myers]

4K for these:

http://www.halgorythme.com/blocs_mon...0b_12-18w.html


I own 48W versions of these (9K):

http://www.halgorythme.com/blocs_mon...5_eml_24w.html

These look like nice amps... loving SET amps so these look excellent!

[bart]

Randy, they are.
I sold a whole Burmester surround set-up for 3 mono blocks and 1 stereo power amp of this brand.
The fact the designer lives close to me is certainly an advantage.

[Skanda]

Odyssey
SIT-3
Parasound
PrimaLuna
T+A Amp8
Job225


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Odyssey is just so so so good. I have mine paired with a soulution pre and magicos and it is not being outpaced or a weak link at all. I love mine so much that I have a symphonic line kraft on the way, which is supposed to be more of everything.

Not sure if this is in the spirit of the lists/conversation - but vintage amps like the ol' big class A krells, ml's, arc's are all great bargains. i started out with a vintage audio research d120. it's one of their less popular offerings and, frankly, i can't see why. it has power and sings really well. the older tube gear gets much more love but is priced accordingly

[Obelus]

I have had a SIT-3 for a month and am enjoying it quite a bit. My only comparison in my current setup is to my Line Magnetic 218. The 218 has a touch more holography of voice with 3D presence being unbelievable. The SIT-3 is still very dimensional and organic with voice but with much larger stage, better separation, more articulate bass, more detail, more dynamic, etc. This is likely in part due to the integrated nature of the 218 vs the SIT-3 being fronted by my LTA microzotl preamp. The SIT-3 will be a long term keeper no matter what. Supply running low and waiting lists have been full from what I have heard though.

[tube-vds]

line magnetic LM-219IA - $3,700,-

https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/...c50e42a0a2822b

[Mikado463]

Rogue Audio - made in the good 'ole US of A !

[joeinid]

I have had a SIT-3 for a month and am enjoying it quite a bit. My only comparison in my current setup is to my Line Magnetic 218. The 218 has a touch more holography of voice with 3D presence being unbelievable. The SIT-3 is still very dimensional and organic with voice but with much larger stage, better separation, more articulate bass, more detail, more dynamic, etc. This is likely in part due to the integrated nature of the 218 vs the SIT-3 being fronted by my LTA microzotl preamp. The SIT-3 will be a long term keeper no matter what. Supply running low and waiting lists have been full from what I have heard though.

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

[Obelus]

Thank you joeinid. It has been a few years since I have participated in a forum. Now with some new gear I figure it may be beneficial and interesting.

[Penthouse-D]

A used Rogers EHF-100. Made in the U.S. . Lifetime warranty...

[Mordante]

A used Rogers EHF-100. Made in the U.S. . Lifetime warranty...

Assembled in the USA :p

Made in the USA is next to impossible according to the rules of the FTC. I know some companies were forced to change the lables.

[Denver]

My Benchmark ahb2 belongs on this list.

[Randy Myers]

My Benchmark ahb2 belongs on this list.

I have always heard good things about the Benchmark. I had their DACs for a while and thought they were good! Seems like well built gear! Considered the amp but decided to get ride of the Benchmark DAC so the amplifier never materialized for me ...

[Skanda]

havent heard them myself but i'm reading insanely good things about the kinki bx mono's. the specs have goldmund/soulution level of bandwidth (0-2.5mhz) and i think they employ the JOB circuit. would love hear more about this from any sharks who've had the opportunity to listen. at $3500 for a pair of monos it could be as much of a bargain as the JOB amps

edit: i just don't understand why they would choose such a terrible name. i'm personally reading it as "kinky studio" which is hard to say without chuckling

[Randy Myers]

havent heard them myself but i'm reading insanely good things about the kinki bx mono's. the specs have goldmund/soulution level of bandwidth (0-2.5mhz) and i think they employ the JOB circuit. would love hear more about this from any sharks who've had the opportunity to listen. at $3500 for a pair of monos it could be as much of a bargain as the JOB amps

edit: i just don't understand why they would choose such a terrible name. i'm personally reading it as "kinky studio" which is hard to say without chuckling

I am not familiar with them. The Job is built in the Goldmund factory along side of Goldmund amplifiers. This definitely gives Job a hands up over many others. Unfortunately they do not offer the mono versions any more.

I can also say, from owning Goldmund Job 225 amplifiers, twice, that the T+A has a similar sound signature, only better in every way. Also much much better built. Built for the long haul which I felt the Job might not have been (in my view). The T+A AMP8 may be one of the better amplifiers available for under $5k and it is hand built at the T+A factory in Germany. I also know of someone who is offering a virtually brand new one for a great price simply because he recently went head long into tubes ....

[Bobvin]

used Audio Research Ref75. (I have one for sale )

[Randy Myers]

used Audio Research Ref75. (I have one for sale )

we are more or less talking about amplifiers with a retail price below $5k... The Ref 75SE and even the original Ref 75 were priced far above that level ...

[Jack]

Kinki is the region of Japan his wife's family is from.

[Bobvin]

we are more or less talking about amplifiers with a retail price below $5k... The Ref 75SE and even the original Ref 75 were priced far above that level ...

{thread de-rail}

I knew that!

But... I have purchased a lot of used gear as I moved up the food chain, allowing me to enjoy higher quality but still at "bargain" pricing. If I were looking for an amp with $5K in my pocket, I'd be looking for pre-owned.

{/thread de-rail}

[Randy Myers]

{thread de-rail}

I knew that!

But... I have purchased a lot of used gear as I moved up the food chain, allowing me to enjoy higher quality but still at "bargain" pricing. If I were looking for an amp with $5K in my pocket, I'd be looking for pre-owned.

{/thread de-rail}

You're funny Bob... maybe we can work a trade ... A Ref 75 would look really good sitting in my rack... you know I am right ...

[Skanda]

Kinki is the region of Japan his wife's family is from.

Ahhhh gotcha. Am I reading/pronouncing it properly? Also, i noticed you have the ex-1 in signature. have you written any impressions on it/can you link me?

[Penthouse-D]

Mordante, Made in Warwick, New York. Pretty bold statement without checking facts ...

[Rdoc]

Pass XA-25 $4995 and one sweet amp!

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

[Kuoppis]

An interesting point that surfaced in another thread is to specify what you want to use the amp for. Recommendations for an amp for 85 db efficient speakers is different than recommendations for more than >90 db efficient speakers.


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[Airman]

An interesting point that surfaced in another thread is to specify what you want to use the amp for. Recommendations for an amp for 85 db efficient speakers is different than recommendations for more than >90 db efficient speakers.

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Berendsen STA-150SE. I'm using it to drive Magico A3, preamp is Canary Audio C700 latest version. Good result.

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum Airman, thank you for joining.

[FDPDK]

Welcome to the forum

[wisnon]

I am not familiar with them. The Job is built in the Goldmund factory along side of Goldmund amplifiers. This definitely gives Job a hands up over many others. Unfortunately they do not offer the mono versions any more.

I can also say, from owning Goldmund Job 225 amplifiers, twice, that the T+A has a similar sound signature, only better in every way. Also much much better built. Built for the long haul which I felt the Job might not have been (in my view). The T+A AMP8 may be one of the better amplifiers available for under $5k and it is hand built at the T+A factory in Germany. I also know of someone who is offering a virtually brand new one for a great price simply because he recently went head long into tubes ....

You may like these too Randy...Swiss as well. Rowen:
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2019/...o-mini-review/




The Absolute Mono is capable of >1,000wpc into 0.5ohms! Same specs for the cheaper PA-1 which is more austere looking. Circa $5K a pair and $4K respectively. https://dynavox.ch/fr/guide.php

https://www.rowen.ch/en/poweramp.php

No relays, no feedback, nigh unlimited current (damping factor is extreme), and NEGATIVE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE technology.

[joeinid]

Any plans for USA distribution? I’d love to hear some of their amps.

You may like these too Randy...Swiss as well. Rowen:
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2019/...o-mini-review/




The Absolute Mono is capable of >1,000wpc into 0.5ohms! Same specs for the cheaper PA-1 which is more austere looking. Circa $5K a pair and $4K respectively. https://dynavox.ch/fr/guide.php

https://www.rowen.ch/en/poweramp.php

No relays, no feedback, nigh unlimited current (damping factor is extreme), and NEGATIVE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE technology.

[joeinid]

https://www.valvet.de/portfolio-item...fe-e2/?lang=en


If 12/20 wpc is enough, this E2 and the new SE version are spectacular.

[Randy Myers]

You may like these too Randy...Swiss as well. Rowen:
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2019/...o-mini-review/

The Absolute Mono is capable of >1,000wpc into 0.5ohms! Same specs for the cheaper PA-1 which is more austere looking. Circa $5K a pair and $4K respectively.

No relays, no feedback, nigh unlimited current (damping factor is extreme), and NEGATIVE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE technology.

These certainly look interesting Norman!