Help in Purchasing a New Amplifier

Hi,

I want to buy an integrated amplifier/pre-power ~50 K.

I have short listed 2 so far.

1. Sonodyne Pre/Power combo:
Amplifier: SPA 202 (Bi-AMP): Price = ~18K x2
Preamp: SP 203R ~ 9K
Total Cost: ~45K

2. Advanced Acoustics: MAA406 x1 (power) with MPP206 (Pre)
Amplifier: MAA406 (Will later go for biamping with the same amp)
Preamp: MPP206
Total Cost: ~60K

My Current setup:
Source: Marantz CD-7300
Amplifier: Alesis RA-100
Speakers: Sonodyne Towers (Sonus 306A) will be upgrading after I purchase the amp
Room size: 12 x 10 feet

Please kindly suggest which would be ideal and opinions regarding them. I have not auditioned the advanced acoustics combo, so that will be a blind purchase. heard the sonodyne, seems okay for the asking price.

Also, please kindly suggest any other integrated amplifiers/ pre power combinations at this price range, Even if it means spending 50K on the power amp is no problem, I can go in for a temp preamp as of now.

I am put up in Bangalore, addressess of showrooms, etc. would be also helpful.

Thanks.

hi cyber cat!
the advance acoustic pre-power combo is a good one. i think it is 150 W rms per channel, this i think is great for the price. dynamics, clarity etc is also good for this amp. the best part with advance acoustic is that you get your money's worth, or probably sometimes more than that.

Hi cyber_cat

The budget you have for a new pre-/power is a bit low and you will end up buying components that you may be left unhappy with later on. Since this is up the audio chain, a mediocre component will jeopardise everything downstream even if you end up getting a great set of speakers and good cables.

My suggestion is to go with a good AVR at this time with this budget and then get a matching set of speakers.

Hi,

Marsilians why buy an AVR for a simple stereo set up?????? The budget of 50K is not too small for a capable integrated.

Cyber cat in the budget an integrated is a better bet than a pre power.
Tons of options from NAD( 320,325,352,355), MARANTZ ( 4001,6002,7001), DENON(PMA 500,700) advance accoustics, Rotel RA 04,05 etc etc.

The smaller ones output about 40/50 WPC @ 8OHMS and the larger ones would be about 80/100 WPC @ 8 ohms. All the above amplifiers will be within 50 K, some even under 30 K. Ur room is 120 sft so even a small amp with sensitive speakers will be good enough.

Lastly u could look at pre owned gear. Hifimart.com is a decent place to check out used amplifiers.

Rgds

thank you all for u valuable suggestions, any idea about rotel dealers availability in Bangalore

Hi
Am from bbay and am sure someone from bglore should be able to assist u better.
Rotel is distributed by AVI or A2V , the guys who distribute B&W and am sure they have a dealer in bangalore. The pricing of Rotel is on the higher side and a marantz/denon will be cheaper and as good.

Rgds

audiovision do sell rotels in bangalore, will contact the dealer tmw for pricing, thanks dinyaar

Hi,

Apart from already mentioned stuff I'd like to suggest you to look at Odyssey electronics, A bit costly but well worth the money !! we have many members in this very forum using various models and should be able to tell bout the quality !

Next up is Magnet, very decent and Top notch VFM product ! must try before you can take a call !!

If you are looking for some used gear then I happen to know a few guys in the trade,also some dealers of various brands ! if you need any help will be glad to do so !! please PM if you need any assistance.

Regards.

Yup the basic Odyssey Audio integrated should fall in that price bracket. Other options are the Jolida Hybrid amp, Lyrita Audio Tube Pre-Power and the standard Marantz/NAD/Rotel. Sonodyne is best avoided for that price point.

Never heard advance acoustics but its in the same price range as NAD/Marantz/CA.

Thanks every1 for replying.

Krauss: read the review and specs about advanced acoustics seems good on paper, but not heard.

marsilians: I dont want to go in for AVR, , i am basically looking for 2 channel.

soundsgreat: Point noted. Yeah i will be PMing you

reignofchaos: any idea about pricing of Jolida dude

from what i can gather. pre and power is out of question in ~50k. so i will be spending this budget only for a power, and later on go for the pre.

had a look at Odyssey website. must say they are very cool.