[Oregonian]

Thanks. Any to recommend? I don't know much about speaker amps..

Pioneer SX-1050 or equivalent straight out of the speaker taps. Bliss.

 

[Velomane]

How about Blue Circle BmPH straight out of speaker taps...Nirvana!

 

[ohhgourami]

I highly do NOT recommend getting an EF6.

 

[TonyNewman]

  I highly do NOT recommend getting an EF6.

 
+1. I have demo'ed this beast and it wasn't very nice. There have to be better options in that price range.

 

[jelt2359]

Would it be better to go with something like the Master 10, then, or just find a used speaker amp in that price range?

 

[shayson1357]

the EF-6 would be excellent if it was in the $600 to $800 range, but at it's price you can do better(seemingly a lot better according to many here

).... I say you should personally try as many amplifiers as possible and then decide, or give yourself even more time to choose since you start hearing a bit differently(clearly) once you gain more experience with amplifiers.... that's why it's better to always ask for advice than to plunge head first.
and please, whatever you do.... do not rely on reviews 

 .

 

[Canadian411]

the EF-6 would be excellent if it was in the $600 to $800 range, but at it's price you can do better(seemingly a lot better according to many here

).... I say you should personally try as many amplifiers as possible and then decide, or give yourself even more time to choose since you start hearing a bit differently(clearly) once you gain more experience with amplifiers.... that's why it's better to always ask for advice than to plunge head first.

and please, whatever you do.... do not rely on reviews 

 .

 


Yape, if it was around $500-$600 I probably have it already but bit overpriced I think. Just IMO, no flame of war please.

I bought a cheap vintage amp for $200 that outputs 6w @ 50 ohm so it's good enough for now.

 

[jelt2359]

BTW, where can I get the First Watt built for <$1.5k?

 

[Xenophon]

  BTW, where can I get the First Watt built for <$1.5k?

Check out the First Watt / Nelson Pass section of diyaudio.com, there are usually builders around.  The largest cost component is the case (I'm assuming you won't go wild & crazy on stuff like Duelund cast capacitors).  They also sell some pcb boards (for the F5/F5 turbo).  I've had the devil of a time to find the F1 boards, finally located a couple but they were the last the seller had.  Of course you could also roll your own (messy job involving smelly and caustic chemicals) or use point to point wiring, very possible but obviously more time consuming.  
 
Here on head-fi there are some people capable and willing to build them but as always, be careful.  Last year I almost got burned bad when such a deal went south and the builder pulled a disappearing act.  I managed to get my money back but some other people weren't so lucky.  Pay only with paypal commercial and if the product is not delivered within 45 days, file a claim.

 

[musicman59]

I would get a small Threshold, Pass Labs Aleph or even the Master 9 sounds great with them.

 

[wuwhere]

There are many vintage excellent ss speaker amps that you can get for a reasonable price.
Like the Meitner STR-55, 50wpc @ 8 Ohms, mosfet output devices. I believe their is still support for it.
Another brand is Motif . This is Conrad Johnson's line of ss amps, mosfet output devices. CJ still provides support for this line of amps.
Another good brand is Counterpoint. This brand is hybrid. They have to be modified since the original output devices are no longer available.

 

[preproman]

Speaking of Hybrid..  Are there any hybrid integrated speaker amps out there?  What are some examples of some?

 

[SteveM324]

Speaking of Hybrid..  Are there any hybrid integrated speaker amps out there?  What are some examples of some?

Here are a few: Vincent SV237, Magnum Dynalab MD309, Rogue Pharaoh, Rogue Sphinx (tube pre and class D power), Jolida JD1501 and JD301BRC.

 

[preproman]

Thanks for that Steve.
 
The Vincent SV237 looks the most interesting to me.  Anyone you know used this with speakers?

 

[SteveM324]

  Thanks for that Steve.
 
The Vincent SV237 looks the most interesting to me.  Anyone you know used this with speakers?

 
Agree that the Vincent SV237 looks very interesting.  I personally don't know anyone using it but the reviews are all very good.  I think Audio Advisor sells it and they have a 30 day return policy.