Got my Tag AV32R today - now I need a power amp!

[jlanng]

Got a new AV32R today for £1925 so I'm pretty happy. I now need a power amp (or amps) to go with it. Any suggestions? I'm considering the Rotel RBM-1075, but I'm a little concerned about its build quality and finesse when partnered with such a pedigree piece of kit. A dealer recommended a Parasound HCA-1205A - which I'd never heard of before - that weight in at a cool grand.

Cheers! <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Rob]

The Rotels are good HC amps. I have been very pleased with them when used with the Tag. Of course you can spend more, and get more so it depends on your budget. I haven't come accross anything else as good at the price.

Rob.

[AOD]

Where did you source an AV32 from for that price?

I'll be in the market for one myself in a while (once I sell off my VHS collection and a few bits of old kit) <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

[fatrich]

i would suggest you audition the rotel rmb-1095 just bought one my self last week i personally think it can't be beaten at the price watch your back though it weighs a ton.

regards

richard

[t-force]

Or you could try the TAG 100x5R. Can't remember how much it costs though. Of course, if you've got the EX enabled AV32R, you'll need another one with at least 2 channels enabled!!!!

[Nic Rhodes]

[quote]Originally posted by jl:<br /><strong>Got a new AV32R today for £1925 so I'm pretty happy. I now need a power amp (or amps) to go with it. Any suggestions? I'm considering the Rotel RBM-1075, but I'm a little concerned about its build quality and finesse when partnered with such a pedigree piece of kit. A dealer recommended a Parasound HCA-1205A - which I'd never heard of before - that weight in at a cool grand.

Cheers! <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Rotel is very good, inc build quality. Tag is better in build and sound but is more money. I don't rate the 1205 but I did like it's bigger brother, 2205 I think but it was Tag prices. I think the Rotel 120w is the more interesting of the rotel amps. You may add a better 2 channel amp at a later stage for the AV32R EX, say the 200w THX monsters.

For me it is all down to budget. Rotel or Tag.

[simoncope]

Linn AV5125 for £1750 - outstanding performance for the money. I haven't heard the Rotel amps, so I can't comment on relative performances.

Simon, currently in sunny Moscow!

[jlanng]

Guys,

I heard the Rotel amp today and urgh - what a din! Fine for movies but not great for music. Plugged in a Chord two-channel amp to power the front channels, and the sound was transformed... but then so it should be for £5k! <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

I need to find some middle ground. The Tag's overpriced for what it is, the Chord is fantastic but too much for me, and the Rotel, whilst being great value, doesn't really do the Tag justice IMHO. I'd be interested in listening to the Linn...

[Noel]

I've got an AV5125 and it is fantastic. There are Linn dealers all over the place, so get yourself one demo'd. You won't regret it....

Good luck,

Noel

[einpagu]

Hi jl!

I could really recommend the Anthem MCA Series II amplifiers. They are available with 2, 3 or 5 channels with 200/350 watts (8/4 ohms). Balanced and RCA inputs and a patented "auto on" circuit.

Follow the link for more information:<br /><a href="http://www.sonicfrontiers.com/" target="_blank">Sonic Frontiers</a>

I've compared the MCA 2 (two channels) with Rotel RB-991, RB-1080 and RB-1090 and it suits the AVR32 much better then the Rotel amplifiers. Price? Cheaper than Rotel... <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Best Regards,

Per-Anders.

[Lowrider]

I got mine last week <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

I use it with Rotel, RB-1080 + RB-993, and I like the sound very much, but I didn´t try any other brand.

One question for the Tag owners out there, do you use the Tag inboard DACs for your CDs <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

I'm not really happy with Rotel. My 985 THX is about 3.5 years old and the front left channel has died with no warning. It's not the fuses, and Gamepath have now had the unit for over a month!! Before that it was with a repair facility they recommended for over six weeks too!! P*ss*d off? YES! The original repair guy had no idea what the problem was. I would have to question the build quality... and god knows what Gamepath are doing? Apparently everyone's on holiday so obviously I'm at fault for thinking I'd get a prompt response.

Anyway, enough of my rant... I'd second the recommendation for the Linn. It's in another league to the Rotels, check it out for yourself. Tiny too, but don't let that fool you. Above that I'd say the Bryston 9B ST, but thats around the 3K mark.

[MartinB]

[quote]Originally posted by Lowrider:<br /><strong>One question for the Tag owners out there, do you use the Tag inboard DACs for your CDs <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> </strong><hr></blockquote>

<br />Don't have much choice really, using a CD transport, not a player. More than happy with the sound.

Martin.

[Nic Rhodes]

[quote]Originally posted by jl:<br /><strong>The Tag's overpriced for what it is, the Chord is fantastic but too much for me, and the Rotel, whilst being great value, doesn't really do the Tag justice IMHO. I'd be interested in listening to the Linn...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Can I tactfully sugest that you have another listen to the Tag.?

I thought this when I first started listening to it on demos. It was quite subtle in what it did. However the more I listened the more I like it. I eventually bought on and my respect for it has grown considerably. I don't say this lightly as I design amplifiers as a hobby. It is much better than any Rotel but it is always down to how much you want to spend. The Tag power amp is the quiet star of the Tag AV range. Don't forget Tag rose out of Audiolab who were serious amp designers.

[quote]Originally posted by Lowrider:<br /><strong><br />One question for the Tag owners out there, do you use the Tag inboard DACs for your CDs <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Everyone does! The Tag digitises evry analogue signal going into the AV32R.

[GaryG]

jl

I have some information with regard to top quality amps for your system, please send me your email address.

[PFM]

My system (and Ive lived with it for just over a month now) is:

Tag Av32R<br />Arcam Alpha 10<br />Arcam Alpha 10P3

Connected with QEd Silver spiral and QEd Qunex (silver plated OFC) coaxial leads in from both my dvd & Cd players (Sony 7700 multi reg & Denon DCD 1015 respectively).

I found (after much research & demoing) that the Arcams are much more articulate with music (Id love the Tag pre-amp but coudnt afford it)and with movies they (IMHO) outstrip the Rotels

As my use of the system is 50/50 music & movies I found this to be an ideal answer.

With reference to the Tag DAC's my old Denon has found a new lease of life when used solely as a transport with a digital feed to the Tag, & hey, even the Sony DVD player now has the ability to reproduce music too (even with a dedicated laser assembly it still couldn't match an 8 year old denon) handy for playing music dvd (even those produced in stereo).

Hope this helps...

PS check out my earlier postings & debates on both these topics <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[ 23-08-2001: Message edited by: PFM ]</p>

[Lowrider]

Thanks guys,

I asked the same question on the TAG forum and got an unanimous answer <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[jlanng]

[quote]Originally posted by Nic Rhodes:<br />[QB]

Can I tactfully sugest that you have another listen to the Tag.?

I thought this when I first started listening to it on demos. It was quite subtle in what it did. However the more I listened the more I like it. I eventually bought on and my respect for it has grown considerably. I don't say this lightly as I design amplifiers as a hobby. It is much better than any Rotel but it is always down to how much you want to spend. The Tag power amp is the quiet star of the Tag AV range. Don't forget Tag rose out of Audiolab who were serious amp designers.<br />QB]<hr></blockquote>

Thanks for the posting, Nic.

I think the Tag is a very good amp, but when I'm ready to spend that kind of money on an amp, I'll probably look to the Chord!

[Chippy99]

I'm with Nic Rhodes on this.

The Tag power amp is a fabuluous, and somewhat underrated piece of kit. Its basically 5 Audiolab 8000M's in one box, albeit tweaked a bit, and sounding even better. And the 8000M's were until quite recently the reference power amps for a well known hifi publication.

Bear in mind this: It sounds fantastic, its built like a tank, and it talks to the AV32R, so you can power the two on&off together; it will shutdown unused channels automatically; its lights dim "in harmony" with the rest of the tag gear. And its cosmetically attractive & compatible too.

imho the Tag 100x5R is a complete "no-brainer" for anyone with anything like £2000 to spend on an amp. Get an interest-free deal, or Harrods 10% discount for account-holders, or ex-demo, or anything else you can to go out and buy the 100x5R. Now if you only have £1000, then perhaps its just too much, and maybe the Rotel as a stop-gap? But to consider a Linn is completely potty, imho.

Chip.

[PhilAllaway]

I was also restricted slightly by budget (about two years ago now), but did not want to compromise my 2/ch audio. So I opted for a Rotel THX 3/ch amp 175watt/ch for the rears and center, which cost about £750. Then spent twice the amount on the main L/R on a Copland amp (CSA12 ..i think, the hybrid one). At the time I compared it to a Bryston amp costing about the same, you should consider them also.. I opted for the Copland in the end because of the way vocals sounded. Bryston sound v.slightly tiring. Sounds great with the av32r

[simoncope]

[quote]Originally posted by Chippy99:<br /><strong>Now if you only have £1000, then perhaps its just too much, and maybe the Rotel as a stop-gap? But to consider a Linn is completely potty, imho.

Chip.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Come on, you have to justify a quote like this in some way!!!!!!!! Have you actually had any experience with the AV5125?

[Noel]

I have a 5125. I must therefore be potty.

[hilljd]

I've spent some time recently comparing amplifiers so here's my tuppence worth.

I have the TAG DVD/AV/100x5 combination driving B&W 804/805/HTM2. It's great for movies, but frankly I've come to feel the combination sounds a bit 'lightweight' in stereo. The top end is a bit 'fizzy' and bass not exceptional. I suspected the amp was a weak link in the system.

So I tried a Chord, the 1200C. Oh dear. The system was transformed, unbelievable. I guess this is no surprise since this chord is nearly three times the per channel price of the TAG.<br />But I believe it proved my point; the other two TAG components outperform the 100x5.

Then I tried the little Chord 400. This costs around 20% more per channel than the TAG. It was fantastic, no comparison. Very even handed, significantly better bass and a *much* cleaner top end. I'm sold on Chord now and have a five channel 1900 on order.

So, jl, I'm with you. I had Rotels for a while and thought they were excellent value. If you're short on dosh now then buy a cheap Rotel first as they are easy to sell s/h. Then save for the Chord - you know you'll want one in the end!

BTW I'm not saying the TAG amp is bad at all, it's not. It's just that there are better amps out there for similar money. I still think the TAG digital gear is top of it's class.