Clean, powerfull, and uncolored sound

none

I got this amp from Sound City a few months ago, and this amp still amazes me to this day. There isn't anything it can't do. 8ohm, 4ohm, loud, quiet, no problem. It does tend to be a little bright, but it's not even a problem for me. Just be careful of the speakers you use. I just wish I could give it 6 stars!

Speaker independant; good construction with good power supply; clean, uncolored sound.

Piercing, painful treble

I read the reviews here and as always am interested in bargain equipment. The AMC 2100 fits that description well and purchased one for $299 from Sound City. I used it for several days and agreed with one reviewer here that it had a painful treble and should not be used with bright speakers. More than that there was the overall impression that this was a "cheap" amp and not really a bargain at all. The music seemed to lack focus and one really couldn't get too involved with the music at all. It left you feeling that the sound was interesting and fascinating but not very much like real music. As I have some experience modifying equipment I decided to make a simple change in the input coupling capacitors with excellent results. The Wendall 22 mfd, 25V electrolytics on the input board were replaced with 10 mfd, 50V Panasonic Z electrolytics (available from Digi-key Corp 1-800-344-4539 for about 50 cents each) and what a difference! The sound became focused and very dynamic with a overall rich, warm favor much like MIT cable. The music became involving and enjoyable with no trace of the previously mentioned sharp treble. I like it better than the NAD or Onkyo and have yet to compare it with the Kenwood. My memory of the Hafler was that it was unlistenable though very dynamic. A simple change for the better should you also have this problem. You should weigh the fact that you will void the warranty should you open the amp. If you are uncomfortable with electronics, your local shop should be able to make this easy change for a reasonable fee. Modified I give it five stars for sound and value but otherwise two stars for sound and three for value.

Similar Products Used:

Hafler DH-200, SAE P10, NAD 2100, Kenwood KMX-1000, Onkyo M501.

This is an amazingly good amp for the money. I picked it up used for $280 and am very pleased with it. It replaces the amp in my Yamaha 992 for my front 2 channels and it really puts the Yammy to shame for the most part.

The sound is MUCH warmer and has better bass and more complexity. Female vocals are better as are wind and brass instruments. Once in a while I'll come across something that the Yamaha did better--usually isolated highs--but that is the exception rather than the rule. I'd say for every one thing the Yammy does better, the AMC does four better. I know now that I will eventually go with all separates. This amp is a great way to get started on that path.

BTW, this amp also bridges to 250W so it could run a sub very well too.

Well-built, inexpensive, & very powerful.

I purchased this amp at SoundCity over a year ago along with the AMC 1100 preamplifier ($399 total), and I've been very pleased with both of them. The 2100 drives my pair of Magnepan MMGs beautifully, and I really can't imagine a better match for the money. I've heard the Maggies in a similar listening room with more expensive equipment (the Audio Refinement Complete), and the AMC performs just as well, and actually adds a bit more to the lower end, where the MMGs are usually lacking.

The case is tastefully designed, and it's built like a rock. For $300 I couldn't ask for anything more.

warm sounding, cheap but good, laidback midrange

not very detail, not very dynamic

this is an excellent power amp at the price offered. the midrange is laid back so the whole representation of music doesnt focus just on vocals. i have bryston 3B to compare it with. bryston is obviously a better power amp, but unfortunately not with my current speakers. to compare these two amps, bryston is bit more detail, and forward midrange, which i dont prefer because sometimes at high volume, the music can be chaotic. i found AMC is more musical and balanced than bryston IMHO. my main music is alternative, grunge, rock, and pop.
associated equipments:
-Cal Audio Delta/Alpha
-Monarchy DIP
-B&K pro10mc
-ACI sapphireIII

Similar Products Used:

bryston 3B

This is a very good value and the sound is quite terrific! Mozart and Mahler to Miles Davis and Mingus...it brings them to life! Don't overlook this product. It's an inexpensive way to enter the world of audiophile equipment.

This Saturday I was surprised by the AMC 2100 and its pre-amp. I am in the market to upgrade to audiophile stereo equipment and have been previewing what my buddy calls "mid-fi" or audiophile equipment at low prices (such as NAD, ADCOM, MARANTZ, ETC.)that sound good. My buddy showed me this amp and played it for me and It sounded better than any of the other stuff I have heard. He floored me when he said he paid $399 for this equipment at Sound City. I have never heard of AMC, but now I have respect for this company. My buddy said that it was a company that hails from California and London...the stuff looks like NAD equipment, sounds better, and is half the price! On sheer value I give this stuff 6 stars but can only post five.

Well first off, this is my first set of separates. But i like this bad boy. It has alot of power 100wpc, and 32 amps I believe. It sound is very dynamic and punchy. The vocals sound alive on this amp. Current equipment:
HK 3250 reciever (using as a preamp)
Marantz cd-48
NHT superones

The reason I bought these was to power my superones, which i feel need alot of power to sound good. And this amp accomplishes it flawlessly. So if you in the market for a really reliable and dynamic amp then this is the one, this amp also has very tight bass, when i plugged it in i was almost ready to unplug my sub cause the superones were giving out enough bass. Also the most important thing about it is that I picked up a brand new one for $200!!!!! I think this was an awesome deal. It will run any kind of speaker good and it will be quiet. I will give it 4.5 stars. Maybe 5 stars once i upgrade my preamp and hear all the qualities of this amp.

I as well purchased the AMC 2100 power amp along with the AMC 1100 preamp from Sound City. As stated by others who have reviewed this product, it is a wonderful value. Going from a receiver to separates with this amp is a great way to acheive a much better improvement in sound for little money. It has a suprisingly large amount of good, clean power and drives my Paradigm 7seMk3s very easily. The fit and finish is great too. This amp could possibly be one of the best ways to get into separates on a budget. This fine piece of equipment easily deserves 5 stars.

I also picked this amp up with the 1100 preamp from Soundcity for $400. I needed something to get loud. Normally I listen through a Jolida tube amp, which sounds great but doesn't get really loud, so I decided to try the AMC deal. Well, this amp will destroy your ears if you let it. Incredibly powerful. My speakers are 4ohm Krix Lyrics, rated at 92db sensitivity, and the AMC amp absolutely makes noise. What is the quality of the sound? It is OK, I find the high end piercing and hurtful, my wife loves it. Details and overall sound quality are better than my Yamaha home theater reciever but not as good as the Jolida. I'd agree with everyone else here, that for $400, the AMC is a good choice. I'd be interested to hear a side by side comparison vs. NAD, Adcom , Parasound, etc. I'll give it a 4 because it does what I wanted (rock hard), pleases my wife, and is dirt cheap. I'd steer away from bright speakers and CD players if building a system around this amp.