Amplifier advice

[admin_exported]

Im wondering if anyone has any advice regarding buying a second hand integrated amplifier, I'm only have around £200, it will be teaming up with a pair of tannoy mercury v4. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[the record spot]

Hi Warren, welcome to the forums, you'll find you should be able to manage a pretty decent secondhand amp for your budget. There's a heap to choose from from recent to vintage, so it really depends on what you're looking for, what power rating you're after, functional vs. minimalsm, etc., etc.

Some dealers specialise in used gear (Retro Reproduction in Edinburgh, Classique Sounds in Leicester to name but two), but there's also the likes of Ebay, which'll give you a guide to prices for a wide range of gear (some inflated depending on popularity rather than quality, some underpriced as most people might underrate a brand's quality, so bargains can be had). See also Gumtree which can turn up some very good gear for good prices.

 

[plastic penguin]

Welcome to the forum...

Buying s/hand will be the best route. Could we have additional information?

What source do you have? size of room? preferred styles of music? Does the amp need a turntable phono stage?

Cheers, pp

EDIT - Sorry, RS - you just beat me to it.

 

[Electro]

You don't say how many inputs you need but if it is only one then my recommendation would be a Poppulse T150 Tripath integrated , brand new at £189.99 .

I have owned one for a couple of years now and use it in a second system and in my opinion there is nothing to touch it anywhere near the price . I use mine with some QLN speakers that are not very efficient and it drives them easily to high levels with a powerful detailed and very three dimensional sound , the mid range clarity is fantastic , it will make your Tannoys really sing 🙂

They are available on ebay from a UK seller , just copy and paste -

Pop Pulse T150 PRO TA2022 Class T - UK stock!!

There are some internal pictures too .

Here is the spec and info ,

Based around the Tripath 2022 IC, this amplifier is much more powerful, dynamic and musical than most other t amps
that commonly use the 2024 IC.
With a power output of up to 90 Watts RMS per channel, the T150 has sufficient power to drive most hifi speakers
with total authority.
2. Features
• Uses Tripath technology for audiophile quality sound
• Up to 90% efficient. Hardly generates any heat!
• No start-up pop!
• Audio grade parts used throughout including an Alps RK27 volume pot and Elna capacitors.
• Powered directly from the mains via its oversized internal toroidal transformer.
• Volume control can be bypassed via an internal jumper (for use with a pre-amplifier)
• Monoblock bridgeable for up to 180 Watts RMS output through setting an internal jumper (Bridged mode
stereo use requires two identical T150 amplifiers).
• XLR mono input (for use when using two bridged T150's as monoblocks)
• Over-current protection
• Thermal protection
• Uses Audiophile parts and components
• Housed in a top quality metal case with a very classy, thick aluminium front facia plate. Provides
excellent shielding from electronic interference.

Technically the XLR input is stereo but not true balanced. Think of it as a mono
XLR input for when two t150 amps are setup in bridged mode as monoblocks..

Specifications:
T-Amp IC: Tripath 2022
Output Power: Up to 90 Watts RMS per channel into 4 ohm
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 98dB
THD+Noise: THD: 0.05% (1 KHz)
Power Efficiency: Up to 90%
Input: RCA inputs (Left/Right), XLR input ,IEC mains power Socket
Output: Left and Right full size speaker terminals (also take banana plugs)
Switches & Knobs: Power ON/OFF switch (on rear panel), Blue LED power indicator, volume knob, Volume Knob
Power Supply: 220-240v AC
Dimensions: 16cm Width, 6cm Depth, 25cm Length
Weight: 4.5kg

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice folks, I'm have a fairly large room, 4m by 8m ( and no neighbours) I'm only looking for a cd, aux and phono stage, a remote would be nice too! I have a wide taste in music, but not classical, but I do like a good thump to my system!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice folks, I'm have a fairly large room, 4m by 8m ( and no neighbours) I'm only looking for a cd, aux and phono stage, a remote would be nice too! I have a wide taste in music, but not classical, but I do like a good thump to my system!

 

[plastic penguin]

Thanks for the advice folks, I'm have a fairly large room, 4m by 8m ( and no neighbours) I'm only looking for a cd, aux and phono stage, a remote would be nice too! I have a wide taste in music, but not classical, but I do like a good thump to my system!

Look at Marantz PM-7200, one of the older Rotels (10 series), Roksan Kandy MKIII or perhaps Nad 352, but they don't have a phono stage for turntables.