Amplifier takes total control of the speakers that are connected. Sound. VALUE!

I really like this amplifier. When I first purchased the unit I was unsure of whether I wanted to go with separates or with a receiver. I am very proud of my decision to go the separate path and this amplifier has a lot to do with my happiness. The unit plays true to the source and in my setup doesn't run hotter than any other amp I've had. The sound is direct, dynamic and with low end weight. I could a lot worse for the money but not better for the money I spent

Similar Products Used:

NAD 2400THX, Marantz Monoblocks, Parasound

This is the best amp in the 1000 dollar price range I''ve yet heard. Clean, very powerful, great bass, and not grainy in the treble. For the audiophile with a 1000 dollar budget for amps (I know, this is not a current product) this deserves an audition. Looking for an amp to drive a subwoofer? This is a good choice! I tried it, and it''ll do the job like a real champ.

Hey, it''s only a 1000 dollar amp. If my Krell monoblocks are like utterly clear windows on the music, then the A250 is a very SLIGHTLY dirty and SLIGHTLY scratched piece of clear Plexiglas. Music is a bit veiled and lacks the last bit of realism with this amp, and that''s appropriate. You pay extra for the high ''You are there'' factor associated with 8 kilobuck amps. The A250 is a knockout deal, especially if you can get one for less than 500 bucks like I did!

I bought this as a SPARE amplifier, and because my main amps, a pair of Krell KMA-160 monoblocks, run HOT enough to add eight degrees to the listening room''s temperature, and there are times when that''s just too much extra heat, like when I have several guests over and we''re all watching a movie. I use the Acurus in such instances where the slight loss of sound quality is offset by the much cooler room temperature.

Similar Products Used:

Other amps used: A BUNCH! All price ranges from cheap to really high. Of amps I''ve used that I can clearly recall, the A250 smokes the Pioneer Spec 4, outran the Carver M400T cube amp, lost (

Going to have to side with Dave P and Scott L on this one. I've upgraded all of my components recently, except for the A250. The reason, I think it sounds too good to bother with an upgrade. My system consists of Vandersteen 3A speakers, Aragon 28K preamp, Denon CD player, and the A250. Those of you who've auditioned this amp and were not pleased either weren't using quality components, or were not listening to well-recorded disks. Try listening to any of the Fredrick Fennel Reference Recordings, or any of the Chesky jazz labels (Sara K. maybe), or one of the Telarc recordings of the Cincinatti Pops. The dynamics are outstanding. This amp is quick, clear, and dynamic. With the A250, you can achieve realistic orchestral sound levels, that are house-shakingly accurate. On the other hand, soft passages, delicate cymbal work, woodwinds, etc. all sound clear and precise. This one's a keeper. Also, check out the bullet-proof construction. I've had this amp playing very loud for an hour or more so that it gets nice and hot. Doesn't phase it in the least. If you regard the sound, build quality, and price, you gotta give it 5 stars.

Kane below violated rule #1 in audio equipment....(this is really STUPID by the way!!!). Your system is only as good as it's weakest link! You don't test this amp with a CRAPPY Sony portable CD! That has no bass: a low Cd player on the food chain. why not use a Fisher tape deck while you are at it? Anyway. I use some of the same speakers, but with Harmon-kardon, California Audio labs, and Nakamichi Cd players (not to mention fine turntables with 1/2 speed vinyl masters). The A-250 is completly superior to Adcom, and ANY Japanese built amp: save maybe the PA-7 (american Threshold topology) Nakamichi amp. It's soundstage is huge and transparent, the bass is low and tightly focused. The paltry $995 I paid for mine over the Aragon, Hafler, Adcom etc. amps was well spent. These products (amp&pre-amp) far exceed the MSRP, and all equally or lower priced amps...and ABSOLUTE 5 stars from someone that knows HOW to test and listen with quality vinyl AND CD's.
Any rating less is injustice from predjudiced, deaf, and/or untrained ears.

Look at the reviews of Scott L and Christopher Ratz for the truth. Some of these reviews are from amatures and are idiotic beyond belief. Modial Designs uses better quality parts than those from the land of the rising Yen. The Japanese who have an ear buy North American or European equipment, which are both superior. (I have been there: I know this to be factual.). The A-250 represents tru quality and American craftsmanship that is only surpassed by amps costing twofold or more. From it's cost/performance ratio alone, 5 stars is almost an understatement. anyone who cannot hear the difference should be happy with a Yamaha reciever and Bose 201's.

Power (can make my lights flicker), Transparency, Build Quality, Asthetics. Detail and Value consistent with a great SS amp.

Not switchable to mono, shares same drawbacks as any SS amp under $2,000

Extremely detailed and uncolored sound, this power-house amp has tons of muscle, and can go loud, real loud without the faintest trace of distortion.

I got this amp to replace my aging Nakamichi reciever, man was I ever pleased. With so much current the music was loud and forward without really being "loud", complicated passages had a sense of attack without getting muddied in itself, detail was refined at any volume, wth a soundstage that makes you want to turn it up. This in comparison to my friends Adcom which tended to bloat.

The spec sheet is impresive, but you havent been impressed untill you actualy see the thing, all sides are thick brushed alluminum, with oversized innards to match. This could be the last amp you will ever need because it can undoubtedly produce beautifull clean music for hundreds of years without trouble.

Its not hard to find a used one on-line, probably because none of them ever broke. If you can get one for $500 or less dont hesitate to pick it up, you wont be dissapointed.

Power, Built, Clean Sound

None at this price

This amplifier can be purchased today between $550-$650. Even at $1000 this amplifier is a 5 star. I have had this amp for over 4 years and it behaves as if it came out of the factory today. The amp is built like a tank and it will power your speakers until you get old and even then it wont let you down. It is a very musical amplifier and very dynamic sounding. I have used this amplifier to power my main speakers, rear speakers and even my HSU subwoofer. It never let me down on any of the tasks. The bass is tight and explosive, the highs are sweet and airy. The mids are warm and clean. There are slightly better amplifiers out there but they cost over $2500 when purchased new. For the value I would give this amp a 7 if I could.

Aragon 8008BB
Aragon 8008 x 3
Acurus A250
Acurus A150
Sony TAE-9000ES
Sony DVP7700
Sony TKA2ES
Sony MDS-JE930
Paradigm Studio 80, 100, 20
HSU TN 1220 sub

Similar Products Used:

Aragon, Krell, Bryston, Many others

hard to clip on stratus golds

too bright on cd's

i ran the a250 with the rl 11. i used a amc cd player. it may not be the best but the overall tones were exellent. i could play aretha franklin good things from the blown away sound track and it sounded completely life like. i was watching a movie one night and heard a dog bark on the left side where my window was and i had to get up and take a look. complete realistic sound. this will grab your attention more then the airyness of a recording will. every time you go listen to a product listen to how lifelike the sound is and that will tell you the majority of what you are looking for.

i never hear people talk about the actual lifelike sound of the tones. just soundstage, depth, airyness, and ooh i can hear a breath. the acurus had a tonal quality i have yet to match for the price. match the amp with your system for on stratus golds it was a little too bright. perfect for vhs movies. the thx emblem i had others say sounded just like the theater.

you are asking well what about soundstage, etc? i was watching twister on vhs (6 mos prior to dvd) and on there was the looney toons piece. i thought the rears werent loud enough i went to turn them up but they werent even on!! i did have the speakers in a concrete room (sound reflections not harshness) that may have had a part in it. now on an ati 1504 the bass is not as deep as is the acurus but it is cleaner its not as bright so the acurus sound more detailed but its not. both will blink your lights in your house and will play bass with no problems.

the acurus is definitely warmer then the ati. ati just plays the whole recording on the dark side but is more detailed on mids and highs. but ati sounds are not high enough. still lacking real sound???? im still in the market for the perfect amp. linn?? krell good tones but overall could be be better. both equally open.

for the price match your amp and you will not be disappointed. close your eyes and listen.

Similar Products Used:

ati 1504

Powerful, Used Market Price

Somewhat bright

This was my first real amplifier. It is quite a step up from using a reciever as an amp. The amp is not as warm as my HK. After adding this amp to my system, the soundstage and clarity greatly increased. It is also much more powerful and can play louder without losing control. The bass control is where you will see most of the improvement. The amp is somewhat bright and it does require some system matching. I would not use this amp with an already bright system. The amp can be found used for around $600 periodically. It is a bargain at that price.

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon AVR20II

I use my now 5 year old Acurus A250 driven by L10 pre amp to drive my latest DIY project. A Focal B400 kit from Speaker City. The Focal drivers are very fast, very transperent, and have detail etched in the sound. It would reveal faults in cheap gear. The Acurus A250 has a broad soundstage, transparent and detailed mids. There is plenty of air around instruments as they are point-source accurate. The bass is pretty much steel-fisted as it is well defined on my sub.
There is no thinness, no brittleness in the treble, and no problems of the kind.
For what I paid for this powerful and clear amp, I give it 5 stars without hesitation. I would have to go with the 2.5x as expensive Bryston, or Aragon amp to get noticable improvement. I have no need to go to a tube amp, because any tube amp under $3k won't have bass like this.