New Amplifier

**bowtie427ss** · October 22nd, 2011, 07:42 AM

better than mid-fi

I'll admit that i really liked the sound of the 5 or 6 NAD components i've owned.

But, NAD probably has about the worst track record for reliability and longevity of any vintage mid-fi gear i've owned. Upper end of mid-fi, but it's mid-fi based on original MSRP alone.

My .02 is that the build quality is well below par compared to the sound quality, especially with the earlier stuff. Sadly, it's the earlier stuff that i think sounds best.

If you can run to a Conrad Johnson you won't do better & it'll be the last amp you ever buy.

Maybe for some. My CJ's are long gone. The Mac and Krell won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Nor will the very mid-fi Hitachi mosfets as they shine above several amplifiers costing thousands more.

Firstwatt, now that's another story, you can be sure there's an F5 on my short list.

Now if y'all want a sobering laugh, check out the Lepai LP2020A+ tripath amp at less than 25 bucks new. I took one out of the box about 3 weeks ago and haven't really listened to anything else since, it's first few watts are "that" good. Never before have my ears been in such conflict with the rest of my sensibilities. It sounds better than many of the amplifiers i've owned, solid or variable state. This isn't a recommendation for the amp so much as just another suggestion to shop around and use your ears to form your own opinions.

Some of my biggest disappointments in audio have been with blind(on my part) purchases of gear that is coveted, raved about, and highly recommended by the masses. HPM100's anyone?

**Panomaniac** · October 22nd, 2011, 09:06 AM

I'll say it again. Luxman, if it's in the budget. New it's very pricey but there are some deals to be had on slightly used. Good stuff, very solid.

GM · October 22nd, 2011, 10:19 AM

Yeah, Luxman was the 'poor' man's McIntosh way back when, but my ears found reconditioned Mac gear of similar price the better choice overall. Wonder if that's still the case...........

GM

**Panomaniac** · October 22nd, 2011, 10:37 AM

Hard to say, GM. I haven't A/B'd them. The new McIntosh stuff is very nice, what I've heard at shows. $$$ tho. But so is the Luxman stuff.

GM · October 22nd, 2011, 11:47 AM

Yeah, both are now probably forever well beyond this retiree's budget like so many others that didn't plan for the incredible increase in high level corruption in the past decade or so.

GM

**Nipper** · October 22nd, 2011, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by bowtie427ss

I'll admit that i really liked the sound of the 5 or 6 NAD components i've owned.

But, NAD probably has about the worst track record for reliability and longevity of any vintage mid-fi gear i've owned. Upper end of mid-fi, but it's mid-fi based on original MSRP alone.

My .02 is that the build quality is well below par compared to the sound quality, especially with the earlier stuff. Sadly, it's the earlier stuff that i think sounds best.

Maybe for some. My CJ's are long gone. The Mac and Krell won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Nor will the very mid-fi Hitachi mosfets as they shine above several amplifiers costing thousands more.

Firstwatt, now that's another story, you can be sure there's an F5 on my short list.

Now if y'all want a sobering laugh, check out the Lepai LP2020A+ tripath amp at less than 25 bucks new. I took one out of the box about 3 weeks ago and haven't really listened to anything else since, it's first few watts are "that" good. Never before have my ears been in such conflict with the rest of my sensibilities. It sounds better than many of the amplifiers i've owned, solid or variable state. This isn't a recommendation for the amp so much as just another suggestion to shop around and use your ears to form your own opinions.

Some of my biggest disappointments in audio have been with blind(on my part) purchases of gear that is coveted, raved about, and highly recommended by the masses. HPM100's anyone?

Thanks Bowtie..... I really enjoy reading your posts.
Good to see someone has the guts to tell it like it is without concern for what the "audiophiles" and magazines say.

**Nipper** · October 22nd, 2011, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by GM

Yeah, both are now probably forever well beyond this retiree's budget like so many others that didn't plan for the incredible increase in high level corruption in the past decade or so.

GM

So true and no end in sight.

**mah** · October 22nd, 2011, 10:31 PM

Pano, I purchased a new Luxman R 1050 receiver in the early '80s. I still have it and won't part with it. A very smooth sounding amp. I see that Luxman are back into tube gear with one model openly paying due to the Mullard design which it emulates.

**westend9** · October 22nd, 2011, 11:42 PM

If you're looking for just a replacement amplifying device, your connection with Ashley seems the best bet. Assuming you have a preamp available, the First Watt stuff is a good choice. I have one F5 on my CD's and am building another for the woofers. In fact, last week, I finished building an F5 for a buddy and had two of these amps in the system at one point. Really a nice sounding amp.