amp question

[leroyjr1]

Their are a couple amps that are for sale locally and i was wondering if they were any good. I have no knowlegde of home audio amps.

Adcom 545II asking $150 (but may get for $125)
B&k ST-140
Adcom 555II $400 may be able to talk down


Thanks

[hoosier21]

what do you have for speakers?

[ben62670]

If you can get a 545 for $150 jump on it. If you don't like it you can turn around, and sell it here at no loss, or sell it on audiogon for $200. The difference between the 545, and the 555 is marginal.

[F1nut]

what do you have for speakers?

And for what purpose do you want an amp, 2 channel, HT?

[leroyjr1]

Mostly ht but some music. I just got the rti8's. I wanted a 5 or 7 channel for my basement but I may have to do all seperate as space is not as big of a deal as price. I am also right now running them off of my Onkyo 805. I originally bought monitor 50's, cs2 center, monitor 30's and psw125. But it's you guys fought as i got bitter by "THE BUG".
The RTi 8's were the first purchase after the "bug" incident. I will buy piece by piece. I wanted the 9's but my neighbers(condo living)may not agree. Both 8's and monitors sound great.
Will this sound better than my 805's power.100wpc doesn't seem like a lot for external amp

Thanks

[ben62670]

Don't get hung up on watts. Even 50wpc in a nice amp will smoke nearly any receiver out there. 130wpc Adcom is plenty. Its all about currant, and quality. $150 is a no brainer. Do you have to have it shipped?

[leroyjr1]

no just drive 2 miles

[ben62670]

Jump on it. Really. It is a very good price, and you don't have to worry about shipping, or if it is broken. Sorry about being blunt, but slap yourself if you don't go get it. I had a 5400, 545, 2 555's, 5800, 585, and 2 565's. The 545 is no slouch indeed.

[leroyjr1]

So it should have no problem pushing my 8's or monitor 50s or center cs2. Should i stick with the same brand amps for all speakers. I may pick up the adcom 555II as well while i got a couple bucks. Should i put the 555II on the fronts and 545II on the center. I should be able to get both for $500 does that seem ok

[ben62670]

$400 isn't that great of a deal for a 555. Try the 545, and use your AVR for the rest.

[domesda2b]

Any recommendations or advice for a pre-amp to replace an aging yamaha natural sound solid state MX-1000u pre-amp? Only need direct source no EQ. I want to be able to use it for 2-channel music then switch to theater surround. Need digital optical inputs. Do tube pre-amps come with optical inputs on board DAC? Thanks in advance.

[domesda2b]

Decided to stay 2-channel with digital inputs so forget the need for HT processing. Thanks