Low budget amps,what choices do i have?

gasolin

Well-known member
Im thinking about a different amp than what i have,just to try something different.

Nad C316BEE no phonostage
Marantz PM6006 i do not need the dac so for the money without the dac it could be cheaper or for the money sound a little better
Onkyo A-9010 also the same as the marantz PM6006 and it's even cheaper but still sounds good.

Than im stuck, simply can't think of any other amp i would consider for less than 472$,400€,364£.

Is budget amps really limited to these 3 choices? (have looked at used amps)am i picky or is it just the 3 best budget amps?

It doesn't mean im gonna buy a new amp when i have looked at a new "budget" amps, mabye i just need,want to talk about amps.
 

insider9

Well-known member
If you have an itch go second hand route and start buying classic gear. For the price of a new Marantz or an Onkyo the class of an amp you'll get will be much higher. And if you're lucky you might get something you prefer than your current Marantz.

Upside to that is you won't loose too much when selling on. It's good fun too.
 
Q

QuestForThe13thNote

Guest
The basic amps from brands like Rega or Quad would probably out compete the marantz or onkyo. I reckon they would have better power supplies , toroidal transformers and just be better than cooking Japanese stuff with switching transformers designed mainly for ease of use and function, than outright sound quality. That's what I'd do. Have a test to see if basic amps from the likes of these audiophile offering companies outcompete the Japanese stuff.

I know too those missions are fantastic for the price. How about the rega brio. I reckon you could get a dealer discounted or ex dem one for £400 with the full warranty. Might not have same power as some jap stuff, but power isn't everything.
 

gasolin

Well-known member
QuestForThe13thNote said:
The basic amps from brands like Rega or Quad would probably out compete the marantz or onkyo. I reckon they would have better power supplies , toroidal transformers and just be better than cooking Japanese stuff with switching transformers designed mainly for ease of use and function, than outright sound quality. That's what I'd do. Have a test to see if basic amps from the likes of these audiophile offering companies outcompete the Japanese stuff.

I know too those missions are fantastic for the price. How about the rega brio. I reckon you could get a dealer discounted or ex dem one for £400 with the full warranty. Might not have same power as some jap stuff, but power isn't everything.

A rega brio 2017 costs 700£ new, can 't find a used rega brio r, new i could get one for less than 600£
 
Q

QuestForThe13thNote

Guest
Depends where you are as well, but an ex dem one would go for around £400 with full warranty. Just depends how determined you are (and if it's any good)
 

Blacksabbath25

Well-known member
Sep 20, 2015
309
88
10,970
Visit site
gasolin said:
QuestForThe13thNote said:
The basic amps from brands like Rega or Quad would probably out compete the marantz or onkyo. I reckon they would have better power supplies , toroidal transformers and just be better than cooking Japanese stuff with switching transformers designed mainly for ease of use and function, than outright sound quality. That's what I'd do. Have a test to see if basic amps from the likes of these audiophile offering companies outcompete the Japanese stuff.

I know too those missions are fantastic for the price. How about the rega brio. I reckon you could get a dealer discounted or ex dem one for £400 with the full warranty. Might not have same power as some jap stuff, but power isn't everything.

A rega brio 2017 costs 700£ new, can 't find a used rega brio r, new i could get one for less than 600£
is this an old thread

as I thought you still had the marantz PM8005 ?
 

gasolin

Well-known member
Blacksabbath25 said:
gasolin said:
It's not an old thread, my signature hasn't changed
not seen you on here for a while mate

so are you thinking of changing the marantz then ?

I was just looking for something else, it doesn't mean im gonna change it, mabye just wanting to talk about what there is, i mean i only found 3 new reasonable priced amps i might consider. (used a whole new story)

My missons have a soft top very comfortable no fattigue and a good bass so they are staying since most speakers i feel is to bright, lack a bit bass or both (wharfedale 220 i feel is to dark sounding and could have a bit more bass)
 

Electro

Well-known member
Mar 30, 2011
192
3
18,545
Visit site
If you want a top quality budget amp have a look at this Poppulse T 180 integrated amp .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POPPULSE-T180-T-AMP-Amplificateur-2xTRIPATH-TA2022-2x120W-8-Ohm-/182708683743?hash=item2a8a4943df:g:pzwAAOSwjS9ZidIQ

And a brand new one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Poppulse-T180MD-Germany-Edition-Schwarz-NEU-Vollverstarker-2-x-140-W-4-Ohm-/232438124105?hash=item361e644e49:g:c5QAAOSwzgRWv0dc

Poppulse%20T180%202_zpszxsoyphi.jpg


I have owned it's smaller brother the T150 which gave many years of service in a second system and is now owned by a mate who uses it every day.

They are built with top quality parts and sound far better that the average amps around this price imo.
 

gasolin

Well-known member
Electro said:
If you want a top quality budget amp have a look at this Poppulse T 180 integrated amp .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POPPULSE-T180-T-AMP-Amplificateur-2xTRIPATH-TA2022-2x120W-8-Ohm-/182708683743?hash=item2a8a4943df:g:pzwAAOSwjS9ZidIQ

And a brand new one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Poppulse-T180MD-Germany-Edition-Schwarz-NEU-Vollverstarker-2-x-140-W-4-Ohm-/232438124105?hash=item361e644e49:g:c5QAAOSwzgRWv0dc

I have owned it's smaller brother the T150 which gave many years of service in a second system and is now owned by a mate who uses it every day.

They are built with top quality parts and sound far better that the average amps around this price imo.

I neeed one with at phono stage since i have an rega rp1 queen le i often use
 

Blacksabbath25

Well-known member
Sep 20, 2015
309
88
10,970
Visit site
gasolin said:
Blacksabbath25 said:
gasolin said:
It's not an old thread, my signature hasn't changed
not seen you on here for a while mate

so are you thinking of changing the marantz then ?

I was just looking for something else, it doesn't mean im gonna change it, mabye just wanting to talk about what there is, i mean i only found 3 new reasonable priced amps i might consider. (used a whole new story)

My missons have a soft top very comfortable no fattigue and a good bass so they are staying since most speakers i feel is to bright, lack a bit bass or both (wharfedale 220 i feel is to dark sounding and could have a bit more bass)
have you thought the other end of the scale upgrading your speakers and working with the Marantz instead because the Marantz is still a very good amplifier and you will be hard pressed to find much new on a small budget secondhand you might find something like a Arcam A38, A39 .

i understand your happy with you current speakers but you never no you might find some speakers that make your current speakers sound rubbish it's just a idea .
 

Andrewjvt

New member
Jun 18, 2014
99
4
0
Visit site
Electro said:
If you want a top quality budget amp have a look at this Poppulse T 180 integrated amp .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POPPULSE-T180-T-AMP-Amplificateur-2xTRIPATH-TA2022-2x120W-8-Ohm-/182708683743?hash=item2a8a4943df:g:pzwAAOSwjS9ZidIQ

And a brand new one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Poppulse-T180MD-Germany-Edition-Schwarz-NEU-Vollverstarker-2-x-140-W-4-Ohm-/232438124105?hash=item361e644e49:g:c5QAAOSwzgRWv0dc

 

I have owned it's smaller brother the T150 which gave many years of service in a second system and is now owned by a mate who uses it every day.

They are built with top quality parts and sound far better that the average amps around this price imo.

 

 

Good call
 

Electro

Well-known member
Mar 30, 2011
192
3
18,545
Visit site
gasolin said:
Electro said:
If you want a top quality budget amp have a look at this Poppulse T 180 integrated amp .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POPPULSE-T180-T-AMP-Amplificateur-2xTRIPATH-TA2022-2x120W-8-Ohm-/182708683743?hash=item2a8a4943df:g:pzwAAOSwjS9ZidIQ

And a brand new one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Poppulse-T180MD-Germany-Edition-Schwarz-NEU-Vollverstarker-2-x-140-W-4-Ohm-/232438124105?hash=item361e644e49:g:c5QAAOSwzgRWv0dc

I have owned it's smaller brother the T150 which gave many years of service in a second system and is now owned by a mate who uses it every day.

They are built with top quality parts and sound far better that the average amps around this price imo.

I neeed one with at phono stage since i have an rega rp1 queen le i often use

There are plenty of reasonably priced external phono stages you could add for your turntable.

http://www.superfi.co.uk/c-181-turntable-pre-amplifiers.aspx

A little taste of what the poppulse T180 is capable of . *smile*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1Sp9sicSqQ
 

Vladimir

New member
Dec 26, 2013
220
7
0
Visit site
Electro said:
gasolin said:
Electro said:
If you want a top quality budget amp have a look at this Poppulse T 180 integrated amp .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POPPULSE-T180-T-AMP-Amplificateur-2xTRIPATH-TA2022-2x120W-8-Ohm-/182708683743?hash=item2a8a4943df:g:pzwAAOSwjS9ZidIQ

And a brand new one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Poppulse-T180MD-Germany-Edition-Schwarz-NEU-Vollverstarker-2-x-140-W-4-Ohm-/232438124105?hash=item361e644e49:g:c5QAAOSwzgRWv0dc

I have owned it's smaller brother the T150 which gave many years of service in a second system and is now owned by a mate who uses it every day.

They are built with top quality parts and sound far better that the average amps around this price imo.

I neeed one with at phono stage since i have an rega rp1 queen le i often use

There are plenty of reasonably priced external phono stages you could add for your turntable.

http://www.superfi.co.uk/c-181-turntable-pre-amplifiers.aspx

A little taste of what the poppulse T180 is capable of . *smile*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1Sp9sicSqQ

I have yet to hear a t-class amp that I didn't like the sound of. Even the cheapest cheapies from China easily sound as good as most sub $1000 integrateds.
 

Electro

Well-known member
Mar 30, 2011
192
3
18,545
Visit site
gasolin said:
I would prefer it to be in the amp, if im gonna buy one it's the rega fono mini

Im not a fan of project amps,phonostage you name it https://www.whathifi.com/rega/fono-mini-a2d/review

Yes the Rega fono looks like just the job, combined with the Poppulse you will have top class amplification.

I know it can be a little worring to choose less well known products but there are some real gems out there if you are willing to not follow the herd and try something different , the rewards can be huge.
 

gasolin

Well-known member
Although my amp sounds good i feel it's more easy to upgrade my amp than my speakers, since i feel i need to spend alot more on speakers if i upgrade them them my amp.

Meaning my speaker i really like good bass and not bright sounding, i wouldn't get much if i seel them and i feel that much better speakers might cost the same as the kef ls50 or atleast a used pair of ls50's

My amp is alot more expensive and i would get more money if i seel it so i can get something different,mabye more powerfull (dynamic headroom).
 

lindsayt

New member
Apr 8, 2011
16
2
0
Visit site
Vladimir said:
I have yet to hear a t-class amp that I didn't like the sound of. Even the cheapest cheapies from China easily sound as good as most sub $1000 integrateds.
That's interesting. I've hated every T amp I've heard. Play them some piano music and they sound all wrong.
 

Vladimir

New member
Dec 26, 2013
220
7
0
Visit site
lindsayt said:
Vladimir said:
I have yet to hear a t-class amp that I didn't like the sound of. Even the cheapest cheapies from China easily sound as good as most sub $1000 integrateds.
That's interesting. I've hated every T amp I've heard. Play them some piano music and they sound all wrong.

TBH never have played classical on them. Just pop, rock, jazz and blues. Are LF harmonics their main weakness?
 

Electro

Well-known member
Mar 30, 2011
192
3
18,545
Visit site
lindsayt said:
Vladimir said:
I have yet to hear a t-class amp that I didn't like the sound of. Even the cheapest cheapies from China easily sound as good as most sub $1000 integrateds.
That's interesting. I've hated every T amp I've heard. Play them some piano music and they sound all wrong.

Ahh but did you double blind test and level match the T amps when listening *biggrin*

But seriously the Poppulse T amps are in a completely league to the small cheap flea watt small chinese boxes, the weight of the T180 gives you a clue, in fact piano music is probably their forte. *smile*
 

gasolin

Well-known member
Electro said:
lindsayt said:
Vladimir said:
I have yet to hear a t-class amp that I didn't like the sound of. Even the cheapest cheapies from China easily sound as good as most sub $1000 integrateds.
That's interesting. I've hated every T amp I've heard. Play them some piano music and they sound all wrong.

Ahh but did you double blind test and level match the T amps when listening *biggrin*

But seriously the Poppulse T amps are in a completely league to the small cheap flea watt small chinese boxes, the weight of the T180 gives you a clue, in fact piano music is probably their forte. *smile*

Why don't you have one?
 

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts