Does anyone have any experience with Aragon amplifiers, especially the 8008 mkII? I have not been able to find any reviews except for a so-so Stereophile review of the original 8008. I've come across a basically brand-new one for $1,000. It would be driving Paradigm Reference Studio 60v3.
Klipsch has some info on it on their website. Audiogon bluebook shows a sale at $1750 for the mkII version so your price seems to be good, especially considering that it is new.
In my experience with Aragon amplifiers they represent serious value in the right system. You will certainly have no problem telling that it is a solid-state that is for sure. This is the step up from Rotel, and Parsound in the transparency, detail, and blackness department.
I worked for an Aragon dealer for 2 years, and most of the salesman at the store looked at Aragon buyers as very smart customers.
I have not heard the exact model you stated, but if it is anything like the Aragon amps of the past you will not be disappointed.
I have one of the first Aragon amps, the 4004. I had it mod'ed a couple years later to the MKII. I don't remember when I bought it but its over ten years ago. Its powering my home theater system as we speak.
The comments above describing the 8008 also reflect the 4004. It is fairly powerful at 200 w/ch, but definitely has that solid state (as opposed to tube) sound. Its been very reliable and most importantly, remains a good sounding product. By the way, I paid well more than $1000, not including the MKII mod, so this sounds like a good deal.
On the other hand, I have been out of the power amp market and don't know everything that can be had for $1000 today. Being a tube fan, I might seek out a low power tube amp, if available. However, I do not regret buying an Aragon and it put an end to my search for power amps many years ago, until such time that it becomes feasible to consider something new.
That price for a new MKII amp is a very, very good buy. I auditioned one of these very seriously some years back, and can assure you its an exceptional solid state amplifier in all aspects. It simply does everything right. It was just a bit beyond what I could afford then, or I would have jumped at it.
Its also beautifully made, virtually bulletproof, and very impressive in appearance. I wouldnt hesitate for the price, or anything even close. I hope that helps.
Two of my uncles have Aragon 4004 mk 2 amps in their system and they are pretty nice -- one uses it with an Alon mk4 speakers and the other a Genesis loudspeaker. Aragon is/was made by Mondial Designs who also marketed the lower price Acurus brand. Acurus was a clean/bright sounding amp line whereas the Aragon is a bit smoother.
I owned the 4004mkII for about 8 years before I ended up selling it to upgrade to a Mark Levinson amp. The Aragon 4004 was very well built and it was originally designed by Dan D'Agostino of Krell. I think that the 8008 was just a later and possibly improved model of the 4004mkII. It has great bass control and mates well with tube preamps. I used a Conrad Johnson PV11 and an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A with the 4004mkII with very good results. I think a tube preamp provides some needed warmth and bloom to the midrange and highs. Good luck.
The 4004 (400 watts into 4 ohms) was the amp that put Aragon on the map. Many feel that the 4004 and 4004 mkII outperform the 8008. The 8008 dropped the Aragon naming convention (4004 had 400 into 4 ohms and 200 into 8 ohms. The 2004 had 200 into 4 and 100 into 8 ohms). The Aragon amps are known for being able to drive tremendous current into difficult loads. The 4004 was the first moderately priced amp (I believe original retail was $1895, but don't quote me) that could drive the big Apogee’s.
The 8008 was discontinued (a few years ago?) and it’s now a 8008 MkII. I would question the veracity of someone claiming to be selling a “new” 8008. Since it is discontinued there is no real advantage to being new. The $1000 price is good, not great. Closeout Aragons (after Klipsch bought them) were typically blown out at 50% of original retail.
That being said you’ll have a tough time finding a better sounding high power solid state amp for anywhere close to the $1000 mark. Offer $800 and see if he bites, then go up from there.
Originally Posted by jefemeister Man, I haven't heard those words in years. I always liked the way that name rolled off the tongue. Damn nice preamp too from what I hear.
Yeah, the AI Mod 3A is a very nice sounding and well buillt preamp for the money. However, when I upgraded to the Convergent Audio Technology (CAT) SL-1 Ultimate preamp, my jaw dropped. Of course the CAT is almost three times the price of the AI, but in my opinion it was well worth it (if you can afford it and you have a great system that can take advantage of its dynamic and transparent quality). I like to combine a SS amp and tube preamps. If you get the Aragon, I would get a tube preamp. I used the 4004mkII to drive some power hungry speakers including the Apogee Centaur Majors, Vandersteen 2Ce's and the PSB Stratus Gold I's. It drove all of them quite well. I now have a Classe CA400 SS power amp (400 W/Ch into 8 ohms and 800 W/Ch into 4 ohms) and the CAT Ultimate preamp driving Thiel CS6's. My current sources are a Linn LP 12 with Lingo power supply and a Meridian 500 transport and 566 DAC 24 bit. I think you will enjoy the Aragon amp, it really is a fine amp.
I heard the 8008ST, which sounded good for a solid state amp. I ended up buying a McCormack amp at the time (also solid state,) but I won't dissuade you from getting the Aragon, as it had it's own strong points. Speaker synergy is a key factor to selcting amps. I've bought and sold several amps since then.
The 8008ST had plenty of drive, was not excessively grainy (but it didn't it sound as sweet as a tube amp) with the requisite solid state bass. I liked the McCormack better with my speakers, but if you are buying new from a reputable dealer, he should let you take the amp home and try it. My recommendation is to do this with two of your top picks and you'll learn more about each of them. If you are wondering about resale values, blue book is $1750 used, although there haven't been many sales and some of those may be demos.
I've heard that Martin Logan users like the Aragorn amps because they tend to be stable into low impedances and don't react too badly to the strange load presented by 'stats.
If I was able to buy a new 8008MkII for $1000 I would. Any more where that one came from ?
Just following up on this old thread. I have the Aragon 8008mkII in my system now and it sounds awesome. I picked it out for my roomate who's moving out in a little bit and didn't want to give up the quality sound he's now used to. Anyway, It's been hooked up for at least a month now and my system sounds sweeter than ever. I'm hesitant to see it go even though I'll get to put my Jeff Rowland battery powered monoblocks back into action.
I can't really compare it to anything now unfortunately, because we recently moved and my listening area is setup significantly different than before. But the bass is strong and very detailed, the midrange is beautiful and smooth, the top-end is nice but perhaps just a little bit grainy. If anything the amp might be a little bit on the darker side but, again, it's hard to say for sure. The external build quality is ridiculous and I really like the cosmetics even though they are "unique." I have not seen the insides so can't comment on that. In general, I liken this amplifier to a Bryston.
My only complaints have to do with the rear panel. The binding posts are unusual (at least to me) and do not allow connection of my extra-large spades: I can only fit one prong of each into the little slot. Also, the RCA connections are much too close to the binding posts which makes for an interesting time navigating the RCA plug around the speaker cable. Also, to convert from balanced to single-ended operation you have to insert a U-shaped jumper into the XLR connectors which can be a little worriesome for the beginner amp owner such as my roomate.
Its good to hear that you're enjoying your Aragon. As In indicated in a earlier in this thread, I have a 4004 MkII which I still use. It remains a good sounding amp even driving challenging Magnepans. I would also agree with the characterization that it is a bit dark sounding. The MkII mod opened up the top end but that may not be an issue with the 8008.
My Aragon must be at least 17 or 18 years old now. Personally, if I were buying an amp today in excess of $1000, I would look into some of the newer designs or perhaps a lower power tube amp, based on changes in my tastes. However, the nice thing about high end audio and amplifiers specifically is that if they were ever good, they remain good. They are far less susceptible to obsolescence than most other electronic components. Its good to hear that your decision to go with an Aragon worked out.
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