Best studio power amp like Hafler P3000

opus · Post by **opus** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 7:02 pm

Ok so I'd like opinions on a solid power amp probably something used. I just got a HAFLER P3000 for $300 but it had a bad buzz on channel 2 and the clip led stayed on no matter the input volume. So I got to return it... This is the 3rd P3000 that I know of with problems. I know it's old so it happens... I honestly did not hear a huge difference between that and my cheap ART SLA1. Though like I said one channel was sucking so it's not a great comparison. Any other ideas of good used amps in the $300 range? Right now my main passives are old Tannoy's that I have had forever and I just know them... I need at least 150watts /side @ 8 ohms but 200+ is better.

I have been looking at some crowns and some Adcoms... Gotta keep it under $500 at most.

Any opinions? Should just look for another Hafler?
Thanks

blungo2 · Post by **blungo2** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 7:31 pm

I was going to suggest a miniwatt, but they're only 2.5 watts. Never mind...

lancebug · Post by **lancebug** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:15 am

Some of the older Crown stuff is pretty good and reasonably priced as well as being serviceable if it breaks. I have a DC300a which I like for powering passive monitors. Its slew rate is supposedly on the slow side, which means that it might not have extreme clarity on the top end, but I can't hear past 17k anyhow. Rugged and powerful is an understatement. Heavy is also an understatement.

opus · Post by **opus** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:54 am

I can get a Crown Powertech 3 for pretty cheap... Not sure if having the extra power out ways the quality of the Hafler?

Jeff White · Post by **Jeff White** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:00 am

I replaced a P-3000 with a bad left channel with an Adcom GFA 545II (powers NS-10Ms and Rogers Studio 1 monitors). I've never looked back. Maybe look into the 555 Adcom if you need that much power. I'm also looking at having my Hafler repaired this coming year. Mine simply breaks up a little in the low end on one side and is a little underpowered on that channel as well. Can't be too crazy to fix.

Jeff

Marc Alan Goodman · Post by **Marc Alan Goodman** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:40 am

Here's another vote for an Adcom. Or if you had just a little more cash and some tech skills you could assemble your own Hypex UCD amp that would KILL anything else in that price range.

opus · Post by **opus** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:54 am

Thanks guys. I'll look into both...

dsw · Post by **dsw** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:37 pm

Parasound. Hifi amps designed by John Curl. They sound wonderful. Detailed, balanced and tight. New they are around $500-$600 so should be able to find used for very reasonable price.

I use a Hafler in my studio and love it very much. I used to sell Parasound at Brownell Sound here in Portland back in the day and they always fared very well in our listening tests.

opus · Post by **opus** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:29 pm

Does anyone have any experience with the old Phase Linear 400 and 700b?

Gregg Juke · Post by **Gregg Juke** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 8:29 am

Ashly and Alesis. Both should be available out there in the price range you're looking at. Also had a Hafler for years with no problems.

GJ

beautyfish · Post by **beautyfish** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 11:51 am

You can't beat a Bryston. The 4B was THE studio power amp in the 80's/90's when powering the large monitors like UREI 813s. You should be able to get the smaller 3B for $500 or less on Ebay when one comes up. There is one on Ebay right now:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bryston-3b-ster ... 3f108d5711

I've had one myself for about 7 years. It's 25 or 30 years old. Sounds great on my DAS monitor 8's. I replaced a Hafler with it and never looked back.

dsw · Post by **dsw** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:52 pm

Alesis power amps will make your speakers sound like ass. Just sayin.

cgarges · Post by **cgarges** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:48 pm

I've found the Crest amps to be very similar-sounding to the Hafler 3000. I've used two different ones that I liked, but I don't totally recall the model numbers (CA7 might have been one of them). I know that they were both high-powered amps, probably with similar ratings to the P3000. But in comparing several different Haflers, Crests, Crowns, BGWs, Yamahas, Carvers, Brystons, and a few others I'm probably forgetting (with the same set of speakers), the Haflers and Crests were the most similar and some of my favorites. In fact, I bought a P3000, which died on me about a year and a half after I bought it and I replaced it with a Bryston 4B, although I would be perfectly happy with one of the Crest amps, as well. In fact, I'm having the P3000 repaired right now and might sell it to buy a Crest if I can remember which models I've heard.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

Brett Siler · Post by **Brett Siler** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:58 am

Another vote for the Adcom. I used to have an Alesis power amp, which sounded ok, but the Adcom is a pretty vast improvement.

opus · Post by **opus** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:43 am

Thanks everyone!

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Best studio power amp like Hafler P3000

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