[net.audio] request amplifier info

ken@bmcg.UUCP (08/10/84)

	Does anyone own or has anyone listened to any mid-priced
amplifiers that they would recommend?  What do you like/dislike
about amps such as:

	Hafler 220
	PS Audio Elite (integrated amp) or IIc
	SUMO Andromeda, Nine, or Nine+
	Robertson 4010
	Acoustat TNT120 
	Bryston, Naim, NAD, Crown, etc, etc


	I am interested in suggestions and ideas on a mid-priced
amplifier--less than $1000 range.  I'll be driving Magnepan MG I's and 
would like to attain fairly loud playback levels (MG 1's are not very
efficient, approx. 84 db with 1 watt).  Please don't start up 
another debate of tube vs. bi-polar vs. mos-fet.  I'm not very interested
in lab test results but would like the amp to approach the following
levels of performance:

	1)	Good 3-dimensional stage presentation at all
		volume levels with good focus (no wandering
		musicians) and lots of detail.

	2)	Extended frequency range with tight (not muddy)
		bass, and clean (not harsh) treble.
	    

	(sorry about all of the subjective terms)


	What electronics are you Magnepan owners using?  What are
other people in net.audio amplifying with?  


	I hope this article will encourage the posting of informative
personal evaluations and opinions of not only amplifiers but all other
audio gear.  We consumers should not rely totaly on manufacturer's 
literature, biased salespeople, or magazine reviews for our purchases.
Besides doing our own listening and evaluations, it is invaluable to
get feedback from people who have lived with the equipment we are
considering.

	
	Thanks a million,

		Ken Middaugh
		Burroughs 
		San Diego, CA
		..!sdcsvax!bmcg!ken

pmr@drutx.UUCP (Rastocny) (08/15/84)

Of all the amps you listed, I like the Acoustat combination the best
with the Magnepans.  The 120's drawbacks are a sterile-sounding upper
midrange and a weak bottom end, but it has good depth, a large
soundstage, and good dynamics.  The TNT-200 is quite good for a few
(hundred) dollars more, has a more neutral sonic signature than the 120,
and a deeper soundstage.  The 120 is a good buy and the 200 is a great
buy.

Don't, I repeat, DON'T buy the Acoustat preamp.  It's the pits.

		Yours for higher fidelity,
		Phil Rastocny
		AT&T-ISL
		ihnp4!drutx!pmr

spc@uicsl.UUCP (08/18/84)

#R:bmcg:-120900:uicsl:26800001:000:901
uicsl!spc    Aug 17 16:52:00 1984

      
	I am currently using the Hafler 200/101 pair to drive
a pair of Magnepan MGIIB's.  Unmodified this is not a spectacular
combination.  However, Musical Concepts sells modification kits
for the Hafler electronics.  These modifications the replacement
of most of the caps and resistors with high quality types.
(pp,ps caps;1% tolerance resistors).  Many values are altered.
The change these mods make to the Hafler equipment is nothing
sort of amazing.  The sound had a much more alive quality.
Soundstaging and tonal balance is much improved.  The M220C
kit for the Hafler 220 is priced at $175.  
	The combination of these mods on the Hafler electronics
is hard to beat.  
	You should be fairly good with a soldering iron to install
the mods.  If you built the kits yourself, this should be no 
problem.


	Steve Castillo
	University of Illinois
	Electromagnetics Laboratory
	!uicslvax!mnt!spc