Replacement for Melior 100 stereo amp!

mrlemon -- Thu, 08/21/2008 - 09:56

Hey Everybody,

I've owned the Meitner Melior 100 stereo power amp for about 10 years, but the amp itself was used, and could be in the 12-15 year range.

I am obviously concerned about the deterioration/ breakdown of the electrolytic caps used in the power supply. The design(floating power supply) makes it very difficult to change the caps on my own and the cost to have the original tech do the work would cost about what I paid for the used amp.

Anyone heard this amp?? It's so damn 'swell' at doing a lot of things right, that it's hard to beat in many ways. It walked all over a bias-pushed Nak PA-7 power amp. The Nak had a touch more perceived power and slam, but the Melior was just better for detail, warmth, space, low end resolution, and a refined sound.

I know there must be counterparts to this amp that would give me at least the basic quality that the Meitner Melior 100 possess.

Anything out there in the used or new market?? I am eager to try something new, but I have a feeling the Melior will be hard to beat, specially since I've 'known' its sound for a decade.

Thanks...

TOM...

Steven Stone -- Thu, 08/21/2008 - 15:24

Frankly if you start listening to contemporary amp designs I think you'll find many that will best your Melior 100. Ed Meitner's early designs were way ahead of the competition at their price-points, but a lot has happened in the last 15 years.

I remember the Nakamichi - it was borderline nasty.

Try a current production Rotel, Arcam, or Parasound amplifier. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how far amps have come.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

mrlemon -- Thu, 08/21/2008 - 17:47

Thanks for the input.

Actually, I have heard some of the newer Rotel products (RA-1062 integrated) and thought they sounded really good, but at the time of the audition I compared it to an even older Meitner power amp(which i also bought), and while the Meitner tone was definatly tipped upwards, it sounded better in many ways then the Rotel.

I have yet to hear current Arcams(wasn't so interested in the old ones though) and will for sure check out the Parasounds.

Oh, the Nak amp had its bias adjusted a little more towards class A. It sounded much better then when it was at regular bias settings.