Best SS amp for $200

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SoundMann

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Jun 29, 2022
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Denver, CO
Hi. I am trying to find a used solid state amp for $200 max that achieves a smooth, fatigue and grain-free sound that is also reasonably transparent, with a clean, tight but realistic low end, and a good soundstage with palpable imaging as well.
I know this is a pretty daunting challenge, but I must try.

My primary source is a Micro-Seiki BL-51/Grace 707 II/TK7e setup with a transparent clone of an EAR 834.

My preamp is a PS Audio IVH which has both active and passive mode.

My speakers are a pair of Acoustat Spectra 11's (4Ohm,83dB).

Any suggestions?
 
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Driving Acoustats , here ...



You can thank me later
 
Driving Acoustats , here ...



You can thank me later

You seem to have missed my pricepoint, and my Acoustats are hybrids whose impedance hovers around 5.5Ohms, so not real difficult to drive as long as the amp is stable into 4Ohms, and has atleast 70 watts of output into 8Ohms.
 
E4A7FAD9-A889-4CB3-9AAA-5EAF11C58AD5.jpegApology about missing your price point and i do know Acoustats pretty well , I think you understand ESL load less than you think , if quality means naught to hit 200.00 , tons of class D amps all over the internet ..

That would be the best u will hear your Acoustats below 3K -4K ..

Regards
 
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View attachment 122003Apology about missing your price point and i do know Acoustats pretty well , I think you understand ESL load less than you think , if quality means naught to hit 200.00 , tons of class D amps all over the internet ..

That would be the best u will hear your Acoustats below 3K -4K ..

Regards

I am well aware of the actual technical measurements of my speakers that Atkinson royally screwed up, but nonetheless stated was an easy load.

I am not interested in your Class D monstrosities! These are terrible amps for deaf people!
 
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I appologise if I am irritating anyone here. I have been getting nothing but a runaround for 4 days straight!
 
Does anyone know what an Onkyo M-505 Ultimate Stereo Power Amplifier sounds like?
 
funny post from someone only wanting to spend a lousy 200 bucks !

perhaps a used Crown then ?

I spent $200 each for my speakers, turntable and phonostage. Why not an amp for this price.

If I were to buy a pro amp, it would be a BGW since the others sound like crap. But my preamp isn't really compatible with their 15K input.
 
Not much, the runaround continues.
 
Well, I bought the Onkyo for exactly $200 shipped! I will be posting a review of it in the next few months.
 
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Does anyone know what an Onkyo M-505 Ultimate Stereo Power Amplifier sounds like?
Unlikely on this website but you probably already know that. You should try to find a website that caters to your price point because it certainly is not here. The "Cheap Audioman" Utube site should match your priorities. And then there is always the Gon.
 
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Unlikely on this website but you probably already know that. You should try to find a website that caters to your price point because it certainly is not here. The "Cheap Audioman" Utube site should match your priorities. And then there is always the Gon.

I hate to have to inform you of this, but the Ultimate Integra M-505 was a SOTA product made from '77 until '83, which was then replace by the Grand Integra M-510 in '84.

The is very much a high end amp!
 
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I hate to have to inform you of this, but the Ultimate Integra M-505 was a SOTA product made from '77 until '83, which was then replace by the Grand Integra M-510 in '84.

The is very much a high end amp!
No worries. Just trying to help. Will not make that mistake again. Hope the caps are still good. I assume you know (you seem to know everything) that they do wear out over time and have to replaced.

And I would never take your information / recommendations seriousy anyway.
 
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