How do you guys feel about used, older but good condition (1990's / early 2000's) power amps (Classe, Linn, Hafler, Bryston) in the $700-1000 price range vs new consumer models (Parasound, Marantz, Rotel, Arcam) in the $1000-1200 price range?

The former likely Class A/B with toroidal transformer. The latter likely Class D.

What's the useful life of a Class A/B amp? Assume I can't replace parts (caps and such). And would they sound better (music - classical, jazz) than a new-ish Class D?

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
How do you guys feel about used, older but good condition (1990's / early 2000's) power amps (Classe, Linn, Hafler, Bryston) in the $700-1000 price range vs new consumer models (Parasound, Marantz, Rotel, Arcam) in the $1000-1200 price range?

The former likely Class A/B with toroidal transformer. The latter likely Class D.

What's the useful life of a Class A/B amp? Assume I can't replace parts (caps and such). And would they sound better (music - classical, jazz) than a new-ish Class D?

I'm currently listening to a Class A/B amp that I've owned for twenty years, if that tells you anything. Old power amps are probably the best buy in audiophilia.

I'm using a 1992 Adcom GFA-545 Mark II amp fed by an Adcom GTP-500 Mark II preamp, into a pair of Thiel Coherent Source 1.2 floor standing speakers.

Sound is magnificent. Tuner no longer works, but I don't listen to radio in the house, anyway.

Do a little shopping and you can have both components for between $500 and $600.

The Thiel's will set you back a bit more than that, if you can find them, as family dynamics put the company out of business.

I still run GAS (Great American Sound) Son of Ampzilla from the late seventies today.
On really ancient equipment I have had some issues with a preamp (APT Holman) that needs some capacitor replacements.
I have the kit but just haven't got around to changing them out.
YMMV

On my main rig, I still use my Creek 5350SE integrated amp that is almost 20 years old. My speakers that I bought used, Celestion SL700SE, were made maybe 35+ years ago. My turntable, a Sota Star Sapphire, I bought new in 1989 and it still runs great.

I also still run my GAS son of Ampzilla power amp,the matching Thoebe pre-amp, a Mitsubishi analog tuner,and a Revox linear tracking turntable. All from the late 70's. Everything except the turntable I have had since new.
I also still use my ESS Heil speakers from the 70's.
The designer of GAS,Sumo and other top end electronics stated back in the 70's that a great circuit is a great circuit and cannot easily go out of style.
I would keep my 70's stuff long before I would buy new.

quote:

Great American Sound) Son of Ampzilla from the late seventies today.
On really ancient equipment I have had some issues with a preamp (APT Holman) that needs some capacitor replacements.
I have the kit but just haven't got around to changing

If it's strictly for music enjoyment, no problem. Issues arise when you want to do double duty for home theater sound and want digital inputs (OPT or HDMI.)

I'm using a 1970s McIntosh 1900. And an earlier 1700. Both got new caps a few years ago. The Mac1 speakers got new surrounds. No other problems ever

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:

quote:

Great American Sound) Son of Ampzilla from the late seventies today.
On really ancient equipment I have had some issues with a preamp (APT Holman) that needs some capacitor replacements.
I have the kit but just haven't got around to changing

If it's strictly for music enjoyment, no problem. Issues arise when you want to do double duty for home theater sound and want digital inputs (OPT or HDMI.)

^^^ Power Amps don't have HDMI inputs.

You can of course (and I do- different system) can have a multiple channel power amp that connects to HT Preamp.
But the example was in fact for a two channel amp.
.. And the OP's question was regarding efficacy of old school Class A/B amps and that of (mostly) newer Class D amps.

I used Hafler for my main stereo amp until 2005.
Then I moved to Parasound as home theater needs outgrew the amp.
You can't go wrong with Hafler.

I have a first gen Nelson Pass designed ADCOM GFA-555 with the smooth from panel with handles. My BIL got it new, and it was used daily for over 20 years. He got it recapped, and he eventually went for something new to consolidate his audio and home cinema.

He eventually gave it to me, and I used it for a couple of years. I haven’t used it for a couple of years, now, and it just sits on my rack right now unused at this time. I will put it and my Rotel RA-1572 integrated amp back to use when I move from this house in the next year or so. For the two years I used it, it sounds and works like back in the mid ‘80s when new.

Thanks guys - so sounds like (ha unintended) old school audiophile amps (from the 80's, 90's) are good to go.

I have a few that I'm looking at:
Classe Audio 70 ($700)
Krell KAV 500 ($1000)
Harman Kardon Citation ($1000)
Bryston 4B ($1000)

I'm leaning toward the Classe or maybe the Krell. Thoughts?

I'm a happy 3rd owner of a Pass Labs X350.5. I got it recapped about 6 moths ago at the factory. Should be good for another 25+yrs

I also have a class D Buckeye Amp, and a Mc 257 that drives center and surround speakers. class D has come a long way recently, but for critical listening I prefer A/B

of your list... I'd seriously consider the Bryston

I’d get the Krell. Name of course was intended to recall the vastly superior, unbreakable and monstrous Krell technology of Forbidden Planet.
The real earthly Krell was a monster. It ranked with Mark Levineon stuff i its day.
I own an Adcom 545 and the tuner/preamp. Used them for years, they’re sitting ina box awaiting the hoped for opportunity of a dedicated music room.

I tried to be a fauxdiophile back in the 80's; looking back I had no real appreciation nor knowledge but I could talk the talk.

That being said, I spent considerable time listening to Classe, Krell, PS Audio(? - the hybrid solid state with 1 tube) and Adcom. I liked all of them, but especially the Classe (can't remember what model). But even the Adcom was out of my price reach; I couldn't even imagine buying the Classe.

I still have a nostalgic fondness for the Classe pre- and power- amps although I understand that the brand has come down a lot since its early days. Krell also is fondly remembered.

I have no recent experience with any of these brands. Well, I did have a big Adcom amp (545? 555? Made in Japan) that worked well but I opted to replace it with an amp that automatically went in/out of standby. The Adcom was just always on unless I switched it off (which then became annoying when I wanted to use it).

Anyway, I value the opinions here of the choice I have available. I can pass on all of them too - can wait for something more recommended to come along.

But if any of these sound appealing (quality and price offered), I'd be interested.

And as these are used, I won't likely be able to audition them first - purchase as-is which gives me pause at these prices. I can open them and check for leaky caps. But otherwise, any suggestions buying what I expect? Like - not sure if I can tell / look for caps that have been replaced with lower quality. Or perhaps even better quality than stock.

I'll plan to use it for music as indicated above. First with the Focal speakers I bought previously. Then with better floor standing when I can afford them / find them (used). Source will be UHD blu-ray player (transport) with Integra decode / pre-amp (until I get something better).

I buy components used so no telling what I'll end up with. I can't afford these things new. But the used market around here is generally pretty good.

I did have bad luck in buying a used Thiel subwoofer that seemed like a great deal, but I could never get it to work.

Completely understand buying used to be able to afford. I have 2 components that I got new, at dealer cost. dCS Lina DAC and a Trinnov Alt16 HT processor (both still spendy, but software based instead of chip based with free updates, I’ll never have to upgrade)

All my Pass and focal gear is used/demo. I built the majority of my cables from used Furutech off USA audiomart or it’s mogami

From the ones you listed I would consider the Bryston 4B, those are really beefy if you need power.

If you want something high quality US made check out the old Threshold amps.
I have a pair of 1987 Threshold SA/2 that have never seen service and still run perfect.
Class A amps do put out a lot of heat though.

Share similar tastes in jazz, konata. I’d go for the best you can afford used.

Your ears will be the judge so i’ll focus on my speakers. Are you pleased with them playing saxophones and pianos?

Used can be fine and new stuff not necessary better. There was a radical shift in audio industry after the 80s.
Here i am looking at my new Yamaha Rx-A2A, 2 years old, busted HDMI OUT, unable to configure it after hard reset, almost useless, while my 25 years old A1 is doing fine. Back to being the Main.

0-0

Of those listed all are quality.
But the two standouts are Krell and Bryston.
Bang for the buck quality and beefiness.

Krell made the amps in my Acura.