which second hand stereo amp for a vinyl system?

[Fluke]

I am thinking either: one of the Marantz KI's, Cyrus 1 or 2, Musical Fidelity A1/B1, Pioneer A400 - I like a warmish, transparent sound with good timing and rhythm, in fact timing and rhythm is an absolute must as I think that what gives music its soul. Will be replacing an old Rotel RA820.

Gonna partnered with a Project Debut III and Tannoy Mercury M2's.

[dynamic turtle]

yeah, a marantz would probably do the trick then. Thinking a used PM7200 running in class A. About as warm/smooth as your going to get for the price...

[shahedz]

i am a huge, huge fan of the Pioneer A400. but i would describe it more as bright than warm, they really are great amps that could be had for little money now and you could try one out and sell it for what you got it for if you want to try one out,

[Fluke]

Originally Posted by shahedz

i am a huge, huge fan of the Pioneer A400. but i would describe it more as bright than warm, they really are great amps that could be had for little money now and you could try one out and sell it for what you got it for if you want to try one out,

Does it have good timing? Sorry to bang on about timing but after owning an amp with terrible timing and yet not actually realising it until I replaced it was a lesson well learned. You know, that foot tapping experience that tells you that the sound is right, regardless of other properties such as soundstaging, detail and frequency range.

[shahedz]

sorry to sound like a prat by what do you mean by timing? ( i have heard the epxression before but have never understood what it exactly means) i have a Linkk LK140 and Linn Kolektor amp ,but still find my self sometimes preferring the sound of the A400. my friend has it connected to an old Ariston Record Deck , Rotel CD player (all 10 years + old) and a pair of B&W 603 floor standers and the Pioneer really does sound great, vinyl is really clear. easily powers the B&W and porduces some great bass. in my opinion it does no wrong!

[CJROSS]

Originally Posted by Fluke

I am thinking either: one of the Marantz KI's, Cyrus 1 or 2, Musical Fidelity A1/B1, Pioneer A400 - I like a warmish, transparent sound with good timing and rhythm, in fact timing and rhythm is an absolute must as I think that what gives music its soul. Will be replacing an old Rotel RA820.

Gonna partnered with a Project Debut III and Tannoy Mercury M2's.

Primare A20 Mk II. £250-350.

[Fluke]

Originally Posted by shahedz

sorry to sound like a prat by what do you mean by timing? ( i have heard the epxression before but have never understood what it exactly means) i have a Linkk LK140 and Linn Kolektor amp ,but still find my self sometimes preferring the sound of the A400. my friend has it connected to an old Ariston Record Deck , Rotel CD player (all 10 years + old) and a pair of B&W 603 floor standers and the Pioneer really does sound great, vinyl is really clear. easily powers the B&W and porduces some great bass. in my opinion it does no wrong!

Then probably the A400 does timing better than the Linn, timing is how the amp reproduces the harmonies I think, making sure that all sounds are delivered at the right time, this may sound silly but I honestly think some amps just dont get this right, no matter how well they do the other stuff. Some amps do imagery and detail superbly but dont get your foot tapping or your heart just isnt into it.

A lot of success may be accidental rather than by design, its possible for cheaper amps to outperform expensive ones this way, maybe thats why the A400 was considered a giant killer.

[shahedz]

Originally Posted by Fluke

Then probably the A400 does timing better than the Linn, timing is how the amp reproduces the harmonies I think, making sure that all sounds are delivered at the right time, this may sound silly but I honestly think some amps just dont get this right, no matter how well they do the other stuff. Some amps do imagery and detail superbly but dont get your foot tapping or your heart just isnt into it.

A lot of success may be accidental rather than by design, its possible for cheaper amps to outperform expensive ones this way, maybe thats why the A400 was considered a giant killer.

it defo is a giant killer , that's for sure. i have heard quite a few amps but always still love the sound of the A400 and for the prices you can get them for now. no doubt a bargain!