Best 50 watt amplifier?

[JensenMan]

Hey guys,
I am in the market to try to find a great sounding 50 watt audio amplifier. I would like it to be able to bypass all bass and treble controls and run direct. I would also like it to have a remote, just to adjust the volume. I like a brighter sound opposed to a warm sound. I am going to be pushing my 50 watt max Jensen LS-2s from 1977. Right now I have them hooked up to my 105 watt Onkyo amplifier. What would you recommend? Opinions welcome!
Thanks,
JensenMan

[whoaru99]

I'd recommend one of the gainclone-style chip amps.

[JensenMan]

is that NAD? Arcam?

[dmusgrave]

Mesa Boogie .50 Caliber +... oh you mean AUDIO amp?!

You can bypass the tone controls on my Kenwood integrated, and it sounds VERY good... but it has no remote. I also think it's on the warm side vs. the bright side as far as that sort of thing goes.

[whoaru99]

is that NAD? Arcam?

Neither. Most people build them from kits, but you can buy them premade afaik.

Just Google "gainclone" or "chip amp".

[jimfet]

A Nad 2100. 50 wpc. 117db s/n ratio and 6 db headroom

[kichijai]

NADs are bright?

Try an Acurus DIA-100 "direct input amplifier". Bright, up front sound, huge soundstage, 100watts, remote.

EDIT: whoops i believe its the DIA 150, 150 watts, that has the remote. Well you can never have too much power!

[Brian]

Find a good old McIntosh MC250 or MC2505. The amps are the same but the 2505 has a glass front panel and the famous meters while the 205 has neigher ans is built on the tube style chassis. Biggest, heaviest nicest 50 watt amps ever. Use autoformers so output is the same with 4, 8 or 16 ohm speakers. The 250 can be bridged to 100 watts.

Next would be a Marantz 15. This is the truest of mono amps as it is a pair of model 14 amps mounted to a single faceplate. One of the amps has a shortened cord to plug into the ac outlet of the other amp.

If you want a really good amp on the cheap. The H-K 630 receiver has a set of jumpers to separate the amp. The amp is 45 watts per channel so close enough and is a dual mono design. The amp in the receiver is really good and I recommend the receiver just for the amp and you get a decent tuner to boot. The preamp is not up to snuff to match the power amp. These can go really cheap. Never figured out why the x30 receivers sell below value as the overall recommendation and quality is well known.

[Urizen]

Of the amps I've owned, the Adcom GFA-535 and the McIntosh MC 502.

Neither have a remote.

[reggaenaut]

No remote, but best solid state 50 watts ever: SONY TA-1120 integrated.

[johnda]

Oh yeah, that Sony is a nice one and classy looking. Don't forget the Kenwood KA-6100 that's another beauty.

[EchoWars]

Ain't gonna find a remote on those 70's units.

[goraman]

only one good one comes to mind at a reasonable price that has a nice remote and you can build on it as you go so you wont grow out of it an waist money look at music hall and see Brian at Venis hifi.

[Tedrick]

You say 'amp', but I think you mean either 'integrated amp' or 'receiver.' Most stand alone amps don't have a volume control, much less a remote.

Best 50 watt amp I've heard in my space: Forte Model 4, 50 wpc of pure Class A sound.

[Art K.]

So far just about every amp I've seen recommended are usually described as warm sounding. For a cooler sound...I won't say bright as I abhor bright, I'd look at Arcam or Cambridge. Neither are bright but they also don't lean to the warm side either(which I like).

[HomerJ]

I'd recommend Audiolab, I *think* the newer integrated amps have remotes. Otherwise, Cyrus.