Power Amp recommendations for 2C’s

[SBlackman]

Hoping this is an appropriate topic and not just a rehash of prior discussions. I didn’t really see any topics that addressed this directly.

As I’ve mentioned in other places here on the forum, I recently acquired a pair of 2Cs, which I’m enjoying very much. I have a strong sense that these would benefit from having a dedicated 2 channel amp for 2.1 listening  (leveraging - for now - my Denon AVR3300 as a preamp). My budget is $500 or less. I have no problem with buying used (potentially the best way to go given that budget - with all the usual caveats associated with buying used gear). I’ve come across a couple Adcom GFA-555 II’s in my local area for roughly $500. I know that was a solid amp in its day. I also know that if buying one used, given it’s age, its important to open it up and look for leaking capacitors or other anomalies.

I’m not dead set on the Adcom GFA-555 or 545, etc. My broader ask here is for some recommendations for new or used amps to consider given my budget. I’ve seen mentions of Adcom, Parasounds, Rotel, NAD and more. Ultimately I’m trying to obtain the best power/value combination I can get (aren’t we all) in that approximate $500 range. My room is not large (13’ x 18’) I’m not looking to bring the house down dB-wise. Simply looking to evolve my current rig. 

[SBlackman]

Forum Policy Question: I’m curious as to the policy on editing posts. A couple times I’ve made a post and had the ability to edit it. Sometimes I only have a Report or Share option. Haven’t been able to figure out why I can edit some but not others. This thread is an example where I’d like to edit that first paragraph as I’m a bit embarrassed that - of course there are other threads that addressed my question directly  - like the one where I posed this question first and for which @Holmz recommended I start a new thread. But I don’t have an option to edit. 

[Holmz]

Yeah - it is like 5 minutes for edit… pretty short.

I am not sure if you can gain a whole lot with a new amp.
Is the AVR RCA or XLR outputs?

Edited October 6, 2024 by Holmz

[SBlackman]

1 hour ago, Holmz said:

Yeah - it is like 5 minutes for edit… pretty short.

I am not sure if you can gain a whole lot with a new amp.
Is the AVR RCA or XLR outputs?

RCA. 
Power specs on the Denon AVR300 are  - 105 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 0.05% THD, 2 channels driven). 

Assume you’re suggesting that throwing more power at the 2Cs won’t necessarily improve or enhance what I’m hearing.

Is there something to be said, however, for the quality of the power? Or am i just dreaming 9 (or ignorant) that adding a dedicated higher quality 2 channel amp to a system with a more consumer driven pre-amp like the Denon is not going to really result in improved performance overall. 

 Maybe it’s more about ensuring I have my current environment and associated components properly configured rather than just throwing more technology at things because I can,  not because I should. 😃

[Richard Vandersteen]

3 hours ago, SBlackman said:

RCA. 
Power specs on the Denon AVR300 are  - 105 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 0.05% THD, 2 channels driven). 

Assume you’re suggesting that throwing more power at the 2Cs won’t necessarily improve or enhance what I’m hearing.

Is there something to be said, however, for the quality of the power? Or am i just dreaming 9 (or ignorant) that adding a dedicated higher quality 2 channel amp to a system with a more consumer driven pre-amp like the Denon is not going to really result in improved performance overall. 

 Maybe it’s more about ensuring I have my current environment and associated components properly configured rather than just throwing more technology at things because I can,  not because I should. 😃

105 watts is plenty of power, but higher quality power (rarely found in mainstream gear) will definitely be audible!  Yes, the program we use for this Forum allows 5 min for edit but don't sweat it as you are amongst friends.  RV

[stratocaster]

@SBlackman you are better off waiting for a bit until your amp budget can be stretched to $1200-$1500 at least. You will get much better options to choose in that range. You  want to buy quality equipment that continues to retain some level of demand (as you have seen with your 2Cs).  You will hear sonic differences in your 2Cs when paired with certain brands (Ayre, Aesthetix, Mccormack, Pass Labs) etc. and if you start there then when the time comes to upgrade you will be able to offload them quicker as well as enjoy the real benefits of pairing Vandersteen’s.

Alternatively we have members here that have paired with Parasound, Rotel, NAD etc. and they can share their experience. 
 

Edited October 6, 2024 by stratocaster

[SBlackman]

30 minutes ago, Richard Vandersteen said:

105 watts is plenty of power, but higher quality power (rarely found in mainstream gear) will definitely be audible!  Yes, the program we use for this Forum allows 5 min for edit but don't sweat it as you are amongst friends.  RV

As always @Richard Vandersteen, I genuinely appreciate that you take the time to respond. Kind of blows my mind to be honest. 😆

I think the salient point is “higher quality” power.  I’m really going to have to do some research and listening to help me decide if I should, in fact, be looking at higher quality power and whether that higher quality can come within my budget and whether older used gear like an Adcom GFA-555 II can genuinely make a difference.

Chasing a unicorn might only drive me crazy.  Enjoying what I already for awhile is likely a prudent consideration. 
 

And thanks for the “edit” tip. Very much appreciate being among friends. 

[SBlackman]

6 minutes ago, stratocaster said:

@SBlackman you are better off waiting for a bit until your amp budget can be stretched to $1200-$1500 at least. You will get much better options to choose in that range. You  want to buy quality equipment that continues to retain some level of demand (as you have seen with your 2Cs).  You will hear sonic differences in your 2Cs when paired with certain brands (Ayre, Aesthetix, Mccormack, Pass Labs) etc. and if you start there then when the time comes to upgrade you will be able to offload them quicker as well as enjoy the real benefits of pairing Vandersteen’s.

Alternatively we have members here that have paired with Parasound, Rotel, NAD etc. and they can share their experience. 
 

Really appreciate that perspective and wisdom  @stratocaster

[GdnrBob]

Perhaps an Ayre AX7e integrated would be something you should check out. I think it is only about 65 wpc, but should power your speakers at reasonable levels. I only mention this as it is available used in the low $1K. 

A used Mccormack DNA 1 might be another way to go, with the benefit being you can send it into SMcAudio to get upgraded in the future, unfortunately, you'll still need a preamp (though you do mention owning a Denon)- though I think if you are pursuing definite sonic improvement, you would be best served by upgrading that, as well.

@stratocaster +1

I think @SBlackman would be best served by increasing his budget, too.

Sometimes, money is the only way to achieve the benefits of upgraditis. 😔

Bob

[olds1959special]

My four vintage Kenwood L-05M’s  (100 watts each) sound great with my Vandies, biwired. They came from music studios where they were used to power studio monitors. I paid $1200 for them.

[Holmz]

I was running a tube job that does 40 or 70W, depending on which setting it is on.
It did not complain a whole lot… and that was at ~80 dB, but sometimes with peaks up towards 95-100W.

Edited October 6, 2024 by Holmz

[ctsooner]

I used the AX7e for a few years until I could afford a pair of AX5/20's.  It was with Treo's and sounded really nice.  As Richard said, going from any AVR or receiver to an integrated or even separates will give you much better sound.  It's a huge difference.  There have been many companies over the years that make higher end affordable gear.  I have almost always had friends get NAD or Rotel, when they couldn't afford the more expensive gear.  YOu'd be amazed at how much sound you can get from some of their gear.  Most can afford separates from them too, which will help with short speaker cable runs.  Just another thought

[Holmz]

I usually wait if I am any bit unsure of whether the device should be obtained or not.
But a demo is always a great idea.

I have run a couple of cheap AIYAMA ($70) class-D amps from Amazon, and they sounded pretty acceptable.
(Mainly using those for surround channels)

One thing with “clean power” is that sometime the system sounds quiet when a SPL meter shows that it is actually playing pretty loud.
It is a bit spooky, and has a laid back quietness to it.
On the other hand, an amp with more distortion can sound louder.
Taken to the extreme, those Benchmark amps have vanishingly low distortion and a high SINAD. However some  people say that, “they are not musical”.

I have not heard the Lingdorf TDAI 1200, nor their 3400, but their AVR is stunningly good, and has some room correction EQ and mic to auto tune it.
While they are not in the $500 range, you may want to see if there is one available to demo.
I was leaning towards these, but ended up settling on some monoblocks, for reasons that also include feng shui, WAF, etc. 

For value in the $500 range, you probably will be looking at used gear, or Class-D… and the Class-D actually do the job pretty well.

[SBlackman]

Very much appreciate all the input and advice. It’s quite clear that having stepped away from audio equipment advances in the last decade or so means I have a LOT of catching up to do. It’s a bit overwhelming to navigate through all the option in the space these days. Fair to say trying to learn anything on YouTube is a crap shoot at best.

Completely get that I need to go listen with my ears and not rely on reviews from folks with uneven credentials (at best) touting gear on YouTube ( which I don’t mean as broad/blanket criticism). Not to say I won’t or haven’t learned some things on YouTube, but common sense says listening is best. 

[Sbank]

Take a look at Belles and Rogue Audio. I've heard both numerous times with 2series  and Johnny  Rutan at Audio Connection demoed/sold those combos like hotcakes back in the day when I lived in that neck of the woods. In fact I recall him having a system that was basically "How shockingly good a $5K system can sound" (This was ~Y2K). But I still read of happy owners pairing gear from those brands successfully with 2series, and higher.

Paging @bkeske! 

[bkeske]

@Sbank Now now Spencer, I was trying to stay out of this because of my personal attraction to Belles. But, yea, I fed my 2CE Sigs from my old Belles 400A, which I loved, RIP, and then my current MB-200 mono blocks. Belles, to me, just has a sound that feels good to my brain. Not hard or sharp in any way, and the 200’s offer a bit more punch and refinement over the 400A, but man, that 400 was glorious. A masterpiece. Johnny Rutan was mighty jealous I had one when chatting with him on ‘next steps’ regarding other equipment. The newer Belles stuff should definitely be on a list to consider, IMO.

I tell ya what though, if looking for a very nice ‘budget’ amp, and old B&K is hard to beat too, and has a sound signature very similar to David Belles’ voicing.