New Amplifier

**voice of the theater** · October 21st, 2011, 10:36 AM

I'm thinking of buying a new amp. I've sold most of my vintage amplification--just dont' have the skills to open them up and replace old caps, clean old pots, and give them all the TLC they deserve (and they were starting to get more noisy and less clean sounding with age). I know, sacrilege, but it was getting really frustrating having them gradually deteriorate and not knowing how to refurbish them. Does anyone out there know if the new Marantz amps (and receivers) are still "good"? Or, are there any other solid state amps that are currently being manufactured that anyone cares to recommend that would work well with high efficiency Altecs? I'm currently considering integrated amplifiers and haven't ruled out receivers (I know, a "funny" move to make after SO many years of separate pre-amps, power amps, and tuners)..... Any suggestions would be appreciated--both "affordable" (like Marantz?) and not?

**DSauro** · October 21st, 2011, 11:21 AM

Before buying new, you may want to check these people out. They may be in your neck of the woods. If you have any vintage pieces left that need repair/modding, these are the guys. Now & again they have units available for resale, also.
They've done wonders with a couple NAD amps I use.
Stereo Repair - In House Service Company

**cradeldorf** · October 21st, 2011, 11:39 AM

I went here and from his feedback It looks like I won't be sorry.
IRebuildMarantz: Service and Policies

Click on the blue Marantz top left of page takes you to the homepage then go to feedback in the tabs at the top.
Go Marantz Buddy and I bet you won't be sorry. my little 16 watter practically lifted the house off it's foundation.
It's a sound like no other. although I've never heard a tube amp If I had to describe the Marantz sound I'd say it's tube like.

He's got a nice 2238 coming up soon. I got the super mod listed at the bottom of the listing too.
http://www.irebuildmarantz.com/catal...roducts_id=136

**voice of the theater** · October 21st, 2011, 01:09 PM

Thanks both of you for the advice. I actually have a friend who has worked at Ashly Audio here in Rochester for years and years and he has refurbished vintage amps for me since the 90's -- stuff like Dynaco PAS-3x, Dynaco Stereo 70, Dynaco Stereo 120, PAT 5 and other various Dyanco's---Phase Linear 4000 Pre Amp and Phase Linear 400 Power Amp, Crown pre amp and power amp etc. etc. etc. But with three Altec systems in the house, I just don't have the patience any more. He'll refurbish something for me, and a few years later something else on it will go or pots will be noisy again or I'll hear a new hum or noise or eventually notice it doesn't sound as clean as it once did etc. etc. and I just don't have the patience to keep up with all of these vintage pieces even if a refurb. on one of them lasts several years--with separate components in three separate systems it was a lot of vintage gear to "stay ahead of" (and I don't know how to do it myself) so I sold most of it and I really want to try something brand new to see how long it lasts before I start swearing at it! So, back to my original question, anyone have any recommendations as far as who still makes "good" solid state amplifiers or receivers--is the current Marantz stuff still good for example? Should I stay away from what they're pushing at my local Stereo Shop--stuff like Onkyo and Yamaha? I'm afraid that stuff might not be up there with what I'm used to hearing but there's no way to know by auditioning them on their NON ALTEC speakers that they sell there! (I don't like Denon by the way--tried one once several years ago...... )

**bowtie427ss** · October 21st, 2011, 01:45 PM

I actually have a friend who has worked at Ashly Audio here in Rochester for years and years and he has refurbished vintage amps for me since the 90's

Any reason you haven't gone with an Ashly amp?

I love FET's, i own several, including examples of the FET-200, FET-500, FET-1000M, and FET-2000M.

If fan noise is a worry, hunt yourself down a CFT-1800.

The company your friend works for builds excellent product, and offers excellent customer service long after the sale.

**VolvoHeretic** · October 21st, 2011, 02:40 PM

The problem with vintage equipment is that if you keep putting off fixing stuff that breaks, eventually, it's all dead. You might want to consider doing what I have done waiting to find someone to fix my vintage broken junk. Rat Shack $100 100 wpc receivers and $60 15 band equalizers. I have bought two pairs, they sound fine playing my Fusion electric music threw my Peavey T300's or little Jensen towers with Optimus passive sub, and when they die, oh well.

**cradeldorf** · October 21st, 2011, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by voice of the theater

Thanks both of you for the advice. I actually have a friend who has worked at Ashly Audio here in Rochester for years and years and he has refurbished vintage amps for me since the 90's -- stuff like Dynaco PAS-3x, Dynaco Stereo 70, Dynaco Stereo 120, PAT 5 and other various Dyanco's---Phase Linear 4000 Pre Amp and Phase Linear 400 Power Amp, Crown pre amp and power amp etc. etc. etc. But with three Altec systems in the house, I just don't have the patience any more. He'll refurbish something for me, and a few years later something else on it will go or pots will be noisy again or I'll hear a new hum or noise or eventually notice it doesn't sound as clean as it once did etc. etc. and I just don't have the patience to keep up with all of these vintage pieces even if a refurb. on one of them lasts several years--with separate components in three separate systems it was a lot of vintage gear to "stay ahead of" (and I don't know how to do it myself) so I sold most of it and I really want to try something brand new to see how long it lasts before I start swearing at it! So, back to my original question, anyone have any recommendations as far as who still makes "good" solid state amplifiers or receivers--is the current Marantz stuff still good for example? Should I stay away from what they're pushing at my local Stereo Shop--stuff like Onkyo and Yamaha? I'm afraid that stuff might not be up there with what I'm used to hearing but there's no way to know by auditioning them on their NON ALTEC speakers that they sell there! (I don't like Denon by the way--tried one once several years ago...... )

I read somewhere that at one point Marantz changed up and it wasn't as good, but that was just some internet conjecture so I wouldn't put a lot of beliefe in it. Like I've been saying that Harmon Kardon I bought seems gutless compared to my Marantz so if anything else I'd stay away from HK's too.
Wishing you luck with what ever you go with....I've heard good things about Onkyo's but their prices reflect that opinion. And I was on a receiver review site and there was a Yamaha with 5 stars 10 out of 10 rating.

Here I found the site I was on with all the ratings.
http://www.testfreaks.com/a-v-receivers/

**Nipper** · October 21st, 2011, 04:15 PM

I feel your pain.

I was in the same boat a few months ago. It was nearly impossible to find a stereo amp and nothing satisfied me.

People are not into audio like they were in the 70's. They go to Best Buy now. Most of these new amps are geared for surround sound, tiny speakers and a sub.

Cradeldorf hit it on the head, the new amps are gutless, they have no soul. The only thing I could hear in person that came close was a McIntosh MA-7000. I liked it but I cannot bring myself to paying $7,000.00 for an amp, especially when I only thought it sounded "as good" and those knobs felt like crap. I know, they explained why, but I love the ultra smooth feel of the old ones. The weight on the back of my tuning knob weighs more than some of the new amps.

I did some research, found a good shop and told them "Do whatever it takes." and gave the guy a $50 tip up front.

I'm glad I did! Couldn't be happier. I love the old beast and so do my Altecs.

I sure do miss all the audio speciality shops we had in the 70's.

Good luck with your search!