Hifi amplifier question

[mattyg]

Hi all,
I have a pair of old Polk stand mount speakers that I got off eBay and have been running off an old marantz av receiver that came with them for the last 6 months.
The marantz has just died an cannot be resurrected.
These are pretty excellent loudspeakers ( well for my limited budget anyway) so my question is-

Am I better off getting a brand new, entry level stereo amplifier such as a rotel ra-10 or the equivalent NAD for approx $500.

OR

Buying a second hand amp from eBay such as a pioneer a-400 or rotel ra-980bx for about $300.

Cheers
Matt

[loanrangie]

Is it just for music or for an home theatre setup ? I have an old 1999 Yamaha surround sound AV receiver amp that i bought about 5 years ago for $200 and its awesome, doesnt have any component or hdmi inputs but tv has enough so doesnt matter.
I also just bought a Hitachi AV receiver at a local 2nd hand store for $40 that has component inputs so may switch that with the yammy for outdoor system.

[jerryd]

Have a look through the classifieds here :) you might have to sign up first though, if you do it might be worth asking on the forum for advice.

StereoNET Australia (http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/)

[PhilipA]

I have run a set of Polk Audio speakers from a small JVC component amp with good results but best with 100RMS per side Marantz.
I bought them In Saudi Arabia in 1984 and my daughter and SIL still have them going strong.
I would go for the NAD personally as they outperform their specs and the Polks are pretty efficient.
Regards Philip A

[mattyg]

Thanks guys.

Music only.

Will check out stereo net - probably a better place than on a car forum!! Although there are many and varied interests represented here.

Yeah the polks are great 8ohm 89db sensitivity.
Although these particular ones are a 2 channel bookshelf with a passive sub that needs driving too.

Do older amps still cut it compared to the newer ones. I know the marantz av receiver I had was renowned to run hot and fail - how much risk is there of a second hand quality amp failing?

[Debacle]

Thanks guys.

Music only.

Will check out stereo net - probably a better place than on a car forum!! Although there are many and varied interests represented here.

Yeah the polks are great 8ohm 89db sensitivity.
Although these particular ones are a 2 channel bookshelf with a passive sub that needs driving too.

Do older amps still cut it compared to the newer ones. I know the marantz av receiver I had was renowned to run hot and fail - how much risk is there of a second hand quality amp failing?

If looking secondhand, definitely go for the NAD. I have a NAD 3020 from the eighties. Great sound and has never let me down.

[superquag]

For music I'd also say NAD. They always have had plenty of headroom, which is essential. Not only but also a pretty tried and proven circuit philosophy. - Can be repaired by any competant Tech, and parts are universally obtainable.

[flagg]

I used to have a NAD, but decided while it is a great unit I didn't like the sound... a bit flat or compressed?

So I give an other vote for Stereo.net.au.. set your budget and and then go and listen to everything you can.

Rotel are great (I have an RC-1070 and an RB-1070) but they have an almost clinical sound that IMO needs to be balanced out with a warm input and speakers. Paired with an RWA Isabellina with a Miniwatt Dario 7308 and the Rotel sings.

[superquag]

But if you want musicality & warmth... then a 5 to 10 watt valve amp is the only way to go.:angel::angel::angel:

[jerryd]

But if you want musicality & warmth... then a 5 to 10 watt valve amp is the only way to go.:angel::angel::angel:

I'll second that ;)

By the way I've got three Linn power amps, a nice set of Linn speakers and cables that I could be tempted to part with [bigwhistle]

[flagg]

But if you want musicality & warmth... then a 5 to 10 watt valve amp is the only way to go.:angel::angel::angel:


absolutely - was just talking about balancing out sharp / clinical amps.

Fwiw I'd love some big valve monoblocks but I've yet to hear some I like that I cam afford. The ones un my price range either have a limited range (you loose the bass) or go a bit muddy.

[DoubleChevron]

I was sure there would be an amp thread on here :) ... a few months back all my audio gear went for a swim .... For the last 20+years I've had an old (well it was new when I got it) yamaha natural sound amp, richter unicorn center, series I ricther wizards as mains and richter hydras as rears. They have been used every single day for the last 20+ years and never needed to be touched (no tv we have ever owned has had the sound turned up). For music I had an old NAD CD player ( it sounded fabulous)....

anyway, I'm looking around at the amps... I'm NOT and audiophile .. I'm not interested in buying "exotics" that my wife will struggle to use and operate ... I've been looking through the amps on ebay ... The NADs (which I was keen on) are either very expensive (high end) or the reviews you read online aren't that great.

Onkyo TX-NR808 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver, THX Select2 Plus Certified 751398009341 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Onkyo-TX-NR808-7-2-Channel-Network-A-V-Receiver-THX-Select2-Plus-Certified/122665298132'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649)

I spotted an Onkyo which I thought could be brilliant.... I read the review that all said "really good ... pitty the thing dies and is unreiable" .... sigh ... Well that is why its avaialbe "refurbished" I guess

Yamaha RX-V681 AV Receiver - 7.2CH 90Wx7 with Dolby Atmos and DTS-X | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Yamaha-RX-V681-AV-Receiver-7-2CH-90Wx7-with-Dolby-Atmos-and-DTS-X/262580018236'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649)

what do people think of the modern yamahas ... This seems to have good features and enough power. I'll not be upgrading from a 5speaker surround system (I drive my wife crazy enough with speakers all over the place as it it without going to Atmos) ...

I spotted a pair of brand new Richter Dragons on ebay last week with a mark on one speaker for $995 that I clicked "buy it now" on the second I saw them ..... Then found out they are WAY bigger than I was thinking when they arrived [bigrolf][biggrin] This means I better not try to push my luck any further .... certainly I wont mention I'd like to get a subwoofer as well for a while ... But hey, on the plus side ... The Dragons are brilliant!

seeya,
Shane L.