I hate to post here, b/c it's a review not discussion section, but anyway... I own one of the newer A100's (little brother to the 200), and I have also noticed that the music continues to play for several seconds after the power has been switched off. However, I assumed that this was due to capacitance (current stored up for peak demands which is where this baby gets its slam) rather than a long signal path. It doesn't make sense to me that a signal traveling at the speed of light or so (electricity) would last an extra ten seconds because of a few extra feet of signal path. Please tell me however if I am not remembering my physics correctly.
Also it would be extremely usefull for those reading your reviews to know your reference point for "musicality". This amp does not compare to the heavy hitting names that cost much more money, but it does sound much better than any receiver I have listened to as well as many other separate amps in this price range. By stating what you compared it against (ie adcom and rotel, or Krell and levinson)you give the reader a point of reference. Just saying it sucks or is great means nada.
There is better than acurus, but it's hard to beat at its price point...

When I bought my latest system, I audtioned many amps in the $650-1300 price range, including Acurus, Adcom, Rotel, Bryston, NAD, and Parasound. For the money (I paid $800) It had teh best bass extension, and control. Maybe not as musical as the Bryston, but far superior than the others listed. There is one caveat with this amp though, and that is that its sound is HEAVILY influenced by the preamp you drive it with. After I settled on the Acurus A250, I listened to about a dozen different preamps from various mfgs. I settled on the C-J PV10a. The combo of these two (with MIT-2 interconnects) makes a very, very musical combination, with power, depth, and detail. I highly recommend this amp.

The capacitor drain (as I've heard it called) other reviewers have mentioned is normal for this amplifier and in no way affects reliability of the unit or its speakers. It is simply due to the ultra high capacitance; a necessary attribute in high fidelity amplifier design. This drain can be silenced with added circuitry (at additional cost). I'm curious which other manufacturers exhibit this sound, please let us know.
I've owned my A250 for 7 years now! Its build quality is phenomenal, as you'll see with any of their amplifiers (including Aragon). The amp maintains the temporal attributes of source material - attack and decay, quite well. One word sums up its performance - transparent.

I recently picked up a used A250 for $525 and couldn't be happier. I was driving my front channels with a Carver 753X which now takes care of the center and surround duties. The A250 provides the same dynamic capability of the Carver with a smoother character. Great value!

This is an excellent amp for the money. As with the A150, the amp is neutral in sound, letting the rest of your electronics come through. When paired with good source, speakers, and speaker placement, you can get an extremely wide soundstage with excellent imaging, especially given its price range. Details also come out very well given the price range. Separation of instruments/vocals in music can be extremely good when the rest of the system is of high caliber. The A250 seems to have more bass than the A150, although this could simply be because volume levels were not matched properly when I compared the two. As you upgrade the rest of your components, you will be surprised how much the amp does not get in the way. I'd say that you'd have to spend around $2,000 (US) on a new amp before you'd be able to notice a big difference.

When ready to pruchase a seperate pre/power amplifier set, I was looking in the $1200/pair price range. When I started looking, all I knew was that I wasn't too fondof Adcom. I looked at the standard options for this price range (esp. Rotel) When I heard the A250 I was stunned. Actually, I went to the store that I bought the Acurus at to look at the Parasound HCA1200II. Of course, the HCA2200II grabbed my attention being much bigger and more intimidating. As I was ready to buy the cheaper Parasound, the salesman suggested I consider the Acurus. After that, I was set... I HAD to get the Acurus. My speakers dictated that I get a solid state amp - my Apogee Centaurs make the notorious Thiel 3.6 seem easy (3.1 ohms nominal and 1.8 minimum) The weight that the Acurus conveys is incredible! Sudden impacts are nearly heart stopping. The Acurus provides plenty of headroom even for the Apogees. The A250 is probably overpowered for most speakers in it's intended price range unless you spend much time listening to at or above realistic volumes. The A150 was almost enough even for my speakers. Even at the discounted price of $775, I was going to be above my budget of $1200 for the set but isn't that part of what high-end audio is about? I recently completed the package by purchasing an Acurus ACT-1 preamp making the overall excession of my budget nearly 50%. While it's no Spectral, Krell or Levinson, it's price range, I can't hesitate giving it a rating of 5 stars.

When I was testing out various different components to match my audiocollection, I stumbled upon this Acurus A-250 Amp. With its sleek look,
the Acurus had a strange appealing power. The pre-amp I used was
an Acurus L10. I tried with various speakers- Celestion, PSB StratisGold,
Spica, Vandersteen, Wilson Watt Puppies, B&Ws, Martin Logan,
and Apogees. CD-Player was a sony portable.

Ah. I have to say that the Amp would only do some justice with soft speakers.
It was only marginally better than my Yamaha receiver after the modifications
I've made. What a crap!

I don't know why people even bother listening to this amp. If I were to pick
a system, I would've opt for a $200 pair celestion 3's, B&K st1200 amp, and
any cd player. Oh, I forget. The cable has to be BIG. I mean HUGE! Anyway,
just kidding about that. I don't think cable matter so much, but the connecting
ends are very important.

Anyway, I think Acurus A-250 is a no-no. Spend your money somewhere else.
You would be much happier to use that $1000 to get a big-screen tv.

So long for now, and remember. Do not let that sleek look fool you. da, da.

In about two weeks, I am going to be purchasing a seperate preamplifier/power amplifier in persuit of my $10K audio system described in dream systems. To make sure that I won't be making any decisions that I may regret later on, I wanted to listen to another amp in order to make a valid comparison to prespective amplifier (right now, it's a McCormack Power Drive DNA-0.5). I just wanted to see what exactly I'll be giving up going with a less costly amp. The amp I originally wanted to listen to is the Acurus A150. When I arrived at my local high-end audio empourium last night, I find that an A150 wasn't on the floor to be demoed, so I ended up listening to the Acurus A250.
The sound qualities of the A250 are as follows (this is not a bad amp, let me state that right off the top, I'm just making comparisons between this amp, and the McCormack DNA-0.5):

The A250, first of all, has a tilted-up frequency balance that seem to put a ever so slight emphasis in the upper-end of the frequency range. On bright recordings, this is going to be apparent. But exactly it's not a bad thing if you are using it with speakers that are rather dark sounding, but I wouldn't use this amp with a speaker that's already bright in the treble.

This characteristic is extends into the midrange as well. At times, it can impart an up-front and incisive character, a characteristic that is desirable if your speakers are a bit laid back (the Vandersteens 2Ce's aren't).

The bass response, while can go satisfyingly deep and reasonably tight, isn't as deep or full sounding (to my ears) as the McCormack DNA-0.5. A trait to look for if your speakers already capable of producing a deep bass response (something that is 30Hz. or below).

There is a slight veiling of detail in the midrange resulting in some loss of transparency and resolution, but not much. Depth is also slightly foreshortened, so I can't hear as far back into the stage as I can with the DNA-0.5.]

One other last note, if and when you buy an A250, make sure that you use your system matching capabilites to the upmost. I listened to the A250 last night on a system that consisted of the McCormack TLC-1 Preamplifier (a passive/unity gain device), Audioquest Interconnect (from the TLC-1 to the A250), a Denon DCD-3000 Compact Disc Player, and of course, the Vandersteen 2Ce Speaker System (using MITerminator 2 Bi-Wired Speaker Cable). When using the "Buffered" outputs of TLC-1 using the MITerminator 2 Interconnects to hook up the A250, I also experienced unacceptably low spl's from this system, so if and when you buy an A250, make sure you inquire about cable compatibilities with your dealer if you planning on using a passive preamplifier or us an active preamp. Or, if you use a passive preamp, make sure you use a front-end source with a variable line output section and turn that source up to about 80% at the very least.

Overall, like I said, the A250 is not a bad amp, especially when you consider that your getting 250 Watts Per Channel for $995.00. Just make sure, if decide to purchase this amp, read the other reviews that are posted before mine, then read my review, then listen to it yourself and form your own opinion. In addition, when you do purchase an A250, keep the caveats mentioned above in mind. As you may have guessed by now, I'm sticking with the McCormack DNA-0.5.

I'll say three-and-a-half stars is appropriate.

P.S.: Mondial has also revised these amps. They are now called the A100 and the A200 respectively (check out the advertisement that is posted in the August 1997 issue of "Stereophile").

Suggested Retail Price: $995.00.
(The A100 retails for $699.00, and the A200 retails for $999.00).

I am always curious of the people that post the reviews here and what kind of music they listen to, and if they ever get out and listen to live music in live settings. Everything you hear in person is amplified and nobody uses tubes. Sure they are great if you want to spend the money. I dedicate a large portion of my life not only listening to music at home but all over the country-at live shows. I agree that the Acurus does not have the warmth of tubes but I do not find it non-musical. Acurus represents a a great value for the money. I have a A250 and a 200x3. The people at Mondial are awesome to deal with as well.

Loads of clean power, pretty detailed sound, build quality is solid

None at this price

Purchesed a mint condition (didn't look like it had ever been used) Acurus A250 on e-bay for $500.

Excellent power, can drive the DTs to their limits and barely get warm. My previous amp was a Yamaha M-65, nice later 80's model. When I first powered on the Acurus it sounded a litte bright, but after a little warm up it settled down. Sound is very detailed with lots of headroom. The bass is deep, accurate and controlled...this amp is what my Def Techs had been craving...the bass just THROBS for want of a better description. Cranking it up on "Comin' Back" from the Crystal Method Vegas CD will bring tears to your eyes!

Granted, I don't have alot of previous experience to compare it to, I'm new to separates...previously had Yamaha M-45 and M-65 with c-45 and C-70 preamps. However I really like the sound the Acurus provides for my system. I listen to alot of different stuff, techno, ambient, accoustic guitar, Frank Sinatra

I think most of the poor reviews for this amp are from those who don't understand break-in periods, have poorly matching or cheap components, overly bright speakers or cheap interconnects or speaker wire. The Straightwire chorus interconnects I'm using really helped tame the brightness in my system and the monster compared to the crappy patch cables I had at first.

If your looking for a great amp to start of with, you couldn't go wrong with the A250 or a newer A200...especially if you can find a good deal on a used one via e-bay. Best $500 I've ever spent.

Current System:
Adcom GTP-400 preamp/tuner
Acurus A250
3 Marantz MA-500s( center and surrounds power)
Definitive Technology BP-8Bs - Mains
Klipsch KSC-C1 - Center
PSB Image 1Bs - Surrounds
Technics AC300 Dolby Digital Processor
Sony DVD - DVP-S330
Sony 5-disc CD changer (old, forget the model)
StraightWire Chorus interconects
Monster Z1R speaker cables

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha M-45, Yamaha M-65