Amps on Fleabay

[the_dude2]

Hi Guys.

Some advice please. I've been looking on fleabay a bit recently as i'm researching what kind of amps are going for what kind of price as i want to get rid of my old Linn stuff (in signature) for an integrated to save some space, and to have a remote (to be lazy!).

At the moment i can see a

Roksan Caspian Mk II £460 - buy it now or best offer,
Kandy Mk III £400 - buy it now,
Arcam A85 currently sitting at £230 (but nearly 2 days left)

I have also seen a Musical Fidelity A3.2 go for around 450, and an Arcam FMJ32 about the same.

Budget is obviously 400-500 for something that would suit my speakers (in signature, and only for now as i would like to upgrade/change later for something smaller (maybe EB2's if they are sealed!), and will make the music i listen to sound nice. I listen to MUSE and Radiohead type rock, and Damien Rice and Tori Amos type mellower stuff.

Advice very welcome please, thanks

EDIT - sorry, so specifically, would you recommend any of the above, for the kind of money they are going for, or any alternatives? (and room is small, about 3m x 3m, the other reason for changing the speakers later!)

 

[John Duncan]

Roksan, Arcam and MF out of that lot - don't know if those are the going rates though...

 

[Anonymous]

I would not be in a hurry to sell those Mission 753 speakers before comparing them to others

 

[the_dude2]

Thanks JD - Kandy or is the Caspian much better?

dim_span, I do think they are good speakers but i feel they are just a bit too big for the room. However I am in no hurry to change them as buying the amp will keep me skint for awhile anyway! But I will listen to alternatives once i have got the amp.

 

[Anonymous]

on ebay, the 753's are worth approx £200 if in good condition ... you will need to spend a lot more to get better

 

[the_dude2]

wow didnt realise i would get so little for them, although they are obviously quite old. But yes, i would have to spend a lot then. Maybe i'll just get an amp and look to add something to be able to play my HDD stored music through it as well.

 

[John Duncan]

the_dude2:Thanks JD - Kandy or is the Caspian much better?

Oh sorry, dur. Caspian kicks Kandy A$$

 

[the_dude2]

I thought it might have been a stupid question but i had to ask

 

[John Duncan]

the_dude2:I thought it might have been a stupid question but i had to ask

No it was a stupid reply on my part, 'Roksan' didn't narrow it down much...

Of those three, the A3.2 sounds best (IMO) but is too damn ugly so I'd have the Caspian, then the Arcam.

 

[the record spot]

Me too in that order. And unless space is an issue, I wouldn't be in any raging panic to dump the 753s either. Brilliant speaker and the pinnacle of the superb 75 range that Mission did.

 

[the_dude2]

doh! Never easy this hifi malarky, obviously i'd like the best sounding, but yeah it is a bit of a minger.

From what i have read the Caspian and MF would have slightly different sounds, with the latter i guess being compared to your old kit of Primare- organic, i have read a few times? And i am intrigued by that kind of sound. Although i think i have read a lot about how good Roksan equipment can be with rock.

I guess doing it through fleabay i can always sell on again if i dont like what i get. Make a choice and pay me money!

....What a wild way to spend a friday night this is!

 

[John Duncan]

Yep, one of my previous setups was Musical Fidelity (X-Ray v3 and X-80, which were allegedly the A3 series in a less minging box), and organic is just about right. But I wouldn't call the Caspian a one-trick pony - probably my favourite amp of the last ten years, Primare A30/i30 excepted.

 

[plastic penguin]

JohnDuncan:Roksan, Arcam and MF out of that lot - don't know if those are the going rates though...

A recommendation for Arcam, John has clearly hit the bottle early.......

 

[John Duncan]

plastic penguin:
JohnDuncan:Roksan, Arcam and MF out of that lot - don't know if those are the going rates though...

A recommendation for Arcam, John has clearly hit the bottle early.......

'out of that lot'

 

[the_dude2]

Thanks JD. Not seen anything about the X-Ray's before. I might have a look in to those, but the slim looks of the Caspian are winning me over. Althought i probably shouldnt, might just click the buy it now button sometime tomorrow.

 

[amarocknrollstar]

dim_span:on ebay, the 753's are worth approx £200 if in good condition ... you will need to spend a lot more to get better

Likewise with your amps buddy.
I got very little back for my Linn Pre/Powertek combo.
FOrtunately I had a wonder amp to play with though! 😉

 

[the_dude2]

amarocknrollstar:dim_span:on ebay, the 753's are worth approx £200 if in good condition ... you will need to spend a lot more to get better

Likewise with your amps buddy.
I got very little back for my Linn Pre/Powertek combo.
FOrtunately I had a wonder amp to play with though! 😉

Thanks for mentioning, and yes i figured i wouldnt get a lot for the Linn. Which i'm not too fussed about (they were hand-me-downs from the old man so wouldnt be loosing anything) and i would really like one box and a remote.

But do you think the Caspian is only a sideways step from the Linn?