Great budget amps...pick or add to this list.
- Thread starter Rockmeister
- Start date
Specsavers?
I really should
S-Man
StrivingON
Found this. Some are clearly over budget but it gives some idea for some of the amplifiers mentioned in the thread and by Rockmeister.
https://alpha-audio.net/review/the-best-amplifier-for-1000-euro-2022-edition/2/
https://alpha-audio.net/review/the-best-amplifier-for-1000-euro-2022-edition/2/
Although I like Heed amplifiers, which basically are revised Ion Obelisk electronics as far as I know, I wouldn't say above statement, merely a different sound depends on entire setup.
All of these are outside budget from OP, so maybe irrelevant.
Tony L
Administrator
FWIW if I was simplifying/starting from scratch and buying new I’d almost certainly go active with something in the Genelec G Three through Neumann 310s or if I could afford it something nice from MEG.
I have a second hand/collector mindset so love the way I work with vintage kit etc (I very seldom lose any money, usually come out ahead, plus I really enjoy refurbishing stuff), but if I had to buy new and wanted value this is where I’d head. Me being me I’d add a nice valve preamp (actually keep my Verdier) as I love the mix of pro-audio and valves. It just works so well. I bet the new Genelecs, which have just attained a Stereophile Class A at about £800 each partnered with say a second-hand Conrad Johnson PV-whatever would really take some beating for the price, plus you get a phono stage and all the inputs you could ever want.
I have a second hand/collector mindset so love the way I work with vintage kit etc (I very seldom lose any money, usually come out ahead, plus I really enjoy refurbishing stuff), but if I had to buy new and wanted value this is where I’d head. Me being me I’d add a nice valve preamp (actually keep my Verdier) as I love the mix of pro-audio and valves. It just works so well. I bet the new Genelecs, which have just attained a Stereophile Class A at about £800 each partnered with say a second-hand Conrad Johnson PV-whatever would really take some beating for the price, plus you get a phono stage and all the inputs you could ever want.
Its certainly the amp that sounded best of the amps I've heard on that list.*
In fact Brio and IO in the right setup are some of the very best budget amps around today IMO.
A decent phonostage inside.
Fully supported a big plus for me.
Maybe not for headbangers which want bling and 200watt.
Not made in the far east end any doubt for me.
*Only listenend to Vena mk1 & Brio
I'll add another amplifier which I currently use, the Arcam SA20.
This was over £1000 until recently but can currently be had for well under £1k which, I appreciate, is slightly over the 600 quid stipulated by RM but is a small and worthwhile step up from the Audiolab, as it should be.
Solid build, nice H/P stage, great DAC and a backlit remote. It has a MM stage but I can't comment on whether it measures up or not. No streaming.
User reviews range from 'warm, detailed, punchy' to 'slightly bright' and everything in between ... as usual. All I can say is it sounded better with Stirling BBC Refs than with smaller Quad's. It's good with tiny B&W CM1's though.
This was over £1000 until recently but can currently be had for well under £1k which, I appreciate, is slightly over the 600 quid stipulated by RM but is a small and worthwhile step up from the Audiolab, as it should be.
Solid build, nice H/P stage, great DAC and a backlit remote. It has a MM stage but I can't comment on whether it measures up or not. No streaming.
User reviews range from 'warm, detailed, punchy' to 'slightly bright' and everything in between ... as usual. All I can say is it sounded better with Stirling BBC Refs than with smaller Quad's. It's good with tiny B&W CM1's though.
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