Best amplifiers at each price bracket?

[simplywyn]

I've been extensively reading Amir's reviews, and whilst they are absolutely amazing and indepth, I'm having trouble finding the right amp for my LS50s (and possibly future speakers).

So what's everyone's thoughts about compiling a best amplifier in each price bracket?
< $250
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RS202/Yamaha-R-S202.html - $129
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...behringer-a800-stereo-amplifier-review.10499/ - $249

$250
nCore NC252MP - $411
https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/pa-1 - $299

$500
VTV NC252MP - $499
VTV NC502MP - $689

$750
nCore NC502MP - $728
VTV Pascal L - PRO2S (400/800 w/ch 8/4 ohm) $869
VTV Purifi Stereo- $959


$1000
https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/pa-1 - $999

$1250
Purifi 1ET400A (×2) - $1270
VTV NC1200 stereo - $1329

$1500
XPA-DR2 550/800w into 8/4 ohms. Class H, full differential. $1599 for the two channel. https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/xpa-dr2

$1750

$2000

$2500
Bridged Purify x 2

$3000
Benchmark AHB2

$4000

> $5000
Bridged Benchmark

Monolith Monoprice 2/3/5/7 channel ; these amps only require 1.43 volts to achieve full rated power, allowing budget AVR's like the Denon X3500 to provide a SINAD of -95 dB from pre-outs
measurements: https://www.audioholics.com/amplifier-reviews/monoprice-monolith-7-channel-amplifier-review
-5 channel $1299 https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15593
-3 channel $1099 https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15594
-2 channel $999 https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15595

Nord Hypex NC500 for 2/3 channel:
-3 channel $1800 shipped to USA with 12v trigger: https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-one-nc500dm-mkii-3ch
-2 channel $1385 shipped to USA with 12v trigger: https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-one-nc500dmst

 

[RayDunzl]

What's Best to one person is not necessarily best to another, in all cases, in all domains, to which I have been exposed.

I do appreciate "Good Enough", and in a pinch, "Better Than Nothing".

 

[simplywyn]

Hmm, but at least we can build a consensus?

 

[GD Fan]

Define your terms, in this case "best," and you might put intentionally unhelpful comments to rest. The fact that you're starting with price should go a long way toward that, at least up to a point.

 

[simplywyn]

I'm a bit confused, there's no singular best amp at each bracket?

 

[Wes]

best SINAD for damping factor > 20 - categorize by output power into 4 ohms

I'd go for that

 

[tomtoo]

I'm a bit confused, there's no singular best amp at each bracket?

It's a little bit like the question “Whats the best car for 30000$?“

 

[amirm]

I am too lazy to do it but you all should make an attempt to fill his table as it would be good to have. Sort through recommended amps and let's slot them in the price buckets and see what comes out.

 

[Cahudson42]

$250

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RS202/Yamaha-R-S202.html ($129)

 

[CDMC]

To me if looking for bang for the buck, at $500 and below used. Above that, Class D, pick your power, chipset, and case as fit your needs and budget. Past that, you are picking what makes you warm and fuzzy, paying for name, fancy components, and/or a uniques design, but not for audibly better performance.

 

[samsa]

Are we talking power amps, integrated amps or receivers?

If we're just talking power amps, it's hard to beat Hypex or Purifi amp modules (either as DIY kits or inexpensive pre-assembled model, like the ones from Audiophonics or Nord Acoustics). Ex-VAT, and converted to USD:

$441: nCore NC252MP
$728: nCore NC502MP
$1270 Purifi 1ET400A (×2)

 

[ehabheikal]

Lets solve the issue by saying "best" instead of best?

 

[jae]

I don't see anything being better right now for value than the $1000 DIY Purifi build in terms of price : specs : power. So perhaps use that as a baseline and decide if it's worth it for you to pay more or less than that to sacrifice some combination of power and specs in order to gain something like a warranty or other features.

The next reasonable step up from a Purifi 2-channel is a Benchmark AHB2 used in stereo mode which may only be marginally better spec wise and looks/is built nicer but loses nearly half the power per channel the costs $3000. So that's more of a side grade at 3x the cost. If you use them as monoblocks to make up for the power loss the cost that is $6000 for a marginal upgrade.

Below the $1000 mark there are a number of DIY hypex mains powered modules that are also good values. There are some chinese products from SMSL and the like that also do very well for the price. You can also find some good value in second hand gear.

All the Purifi/Hypex stuff can be bought premade from a number of manufacturers/distributors (VTV/Audiophonics/March Audio etc.) for a few hundred dollars more than doing it yourself.

 

[simplywyn]

Thanks for all those who helped - if we can put links and price in USD I can compile a good list with everyone's help.

 

[Eetu]

This got me thinking are there manufacturers/power amps that could potentially challenge Purifi & Benchmark spec-wise but haven't been measured here yet?

 

[Karu]

A800 (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...behringer-a800-stereo-amplifier-review.10499/) for the <250 bracket.

Bridged Purify (2x the one in your 1250 group) for 2500

Bridged Benchmark for >5000 group

 

[samsa]

Bridged Purify (2x the one in your 1250 group) for 2500

Is that possible? That entry was a dual-mono configuration (two 1ET400A modules). You're talking about four 1ET400A modules driving two channels?

 

[boXem]

Bridged Purify (2x the one in your 1250 group) for 2500

Do you have any data asserting that a bridged Purifi is a good amplifier?

 

[Karu]

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...oies-class-d-purifi-4x400w-4-ohm-p-14452.html
“Bridged mode:
On demand, we can assemble this amplifier into bridge configuration, which offer 2 channels with 800W output on 4 and 8ohm load.”

More power in case you need it.

 

[samsa]

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...oies-class-d-purifi-4x400w-4-ohm-p-14452.html
“Bridged mode:
On demand, we can assemble this amplifier into bridge configuration, which offer 2 channels with 800W output on 4 and 8ohm load.”

More power in case you need it.

Cool!

Ex-VAT, that's $2352 USD.