Best Studio Power Amp for under $500?

[Ray Boyce]

Hi.

I'm looking for opinions on the best studio power amp I can buy under $500.
Obviously, I don't want something with alot of power - like 150 watts
(tops). Clean, quiet, and not too big - those are my main requirements.
I've seen offerings from Alesis and Carvin - any opinions on those as well?

This is for a small home/project/demo studio.

Thanks for your help.

-ray

rbo...@shore.net

[Westbrook Finlayson, Jr.]

Ray Boyce wrote:
>
> Hi.
>
> I'm looking for opinions on the best studio power amp I can buy under $500.
> Obviously, I don't want something with alot of power - like 150 watts
> (tops). Clean, quiet, and not too big - those are my main requirements.
> I've seen offerings from Alesis and Carvin - any opinions on those as well?
>

I've got a Haffler P1500 which sound excellent IMHO. I've heard the
Alesis. Not impressed. Never heard the Carvins. I've heard rumors of
reliability problems in live situations with the Hafflers, but have
heard no complaints in studio monitoring scenarios.
-Brook

[Jim Andrews]

Ray Boyce wrote:
>
> Hi.
>
> I'm looking for opinions on the best studio power amp I can buy under $500.
> Obviously, I don't want something with alot of power - like 150 watts
> (tops). Clean, quiet, and not too big - those are my main requirements.
> I've seen offerings from Alesis and Carvin - any opinions on those as well?

I own an Adcom 535II (for the control room)
and an Alesis Matica 900 (for the PA), and
I can say that, given their respective tasks,
the Adcom is FAR superior. Of course, the
Alesis is louder, but that hardly matters in
the control room. I'd say try an Adcom or
a Hafler. Or maybe a Bryston, if you can
find one. Or even an NAD.

jim andrews (just say no to Peaveys)
basset sound
austin, tx

[SteveO]

If you can deal without balanced inputs and "Pro" nameplates and you
don't intend to cart the thing all over the country I would look at
one of the Amps made by Adcom. They sound very nice and the price is
around $500 or so.

SteveO

On 4 Aug 1997 21:26:22 GMT, "Ray Boyce" <r...@beacondesign.com> wrote:

>Hi.
>
>I'm looking for opinions on the best studio power amp I can buy under $500.
> Obviously, I don't want something with alot of power - like 150 watts
>(tops). Clean, quiet, and not too big - those are my main requirements.
>I've seen offerings from Alesis and Carvin - any opinions on those as well?
>

[SOUNDCONC]

In article <33E68DCF...@drlee.com>, Ms Dana Renee Lee
<nospa...@drlee.com> writes:

>
>Ray Boyce wrote:
>>
>> Hi.
>>
>> I'm looking for opinions on the best studio power amp I can buy under
>> $500.
>> Obviously, I don't want something with alot of power - like 150 watts
>> (tops). Clean, quiet, and not too big - those are my main
>> requirements.

I'd like to recommend a Rolls RA2110 100Watt RMS @ 4 ohms, reference
amplifier. One of the finest sounding amps for the money. Big secret as
they do not market well. I've sold many of these with excellent results.
$ 295 UPS/USA (if they ever run again)

Als, for a high end amp consider the Carver ca400 200 Watts into 4 ohms,
130 W into 8 ohms. I use this unit regularly and find it to be a great
unit. $ 455 UPS/USA.

I have no personal experience with the amps you mention. I work mostly
with pro contractor level equipment and both of the amps you mentioned are
primarily music store level units.

Thanks, Jim M.