2 channel amp/integrated recommendations?

[43st]

I'm updating my 2 channel setup in our living room and I'm looking for some opinions.

Old System:

• 70's vintage Sherwood receiver
• 1 pair Large Advent (recently re-foamed) loudspeakers
• Oppo BDP-83SE CD player
• Sony XDRF1HD FM tuner (<--- this thing is awesome)

Things to update or add:

• New Amp/integrated (see below)
• Rega P3-24 turntable

What I'd like to do is update the receiver. I lean more towards an integrated due to size considerations, but I could go either way really. I'd also like to keep my current loudspeakers for the time being.

Options:
Marantz PM5004 - good reviews, good fit for my current loudspeakers, no digital input (not really needed, but my be nice in the future)

Outlaw RR2150 - Good reviews but not much press, too much power for my loudspeakers I think. Digital input.

Parasound Integrated - Not yet released, not sure when/if it'll be out and if I should wait.

Onkyo - I think I've talked myself out of the current line of 2 channel Onkyo products.. they seem to garner a 'meh' from all I've seen.

So what do you think? Anything I should look at in a similar range as the stuff mentioned above? I guess you'd call it decidedly mid-fi.

 

[NutBucket]

Why fix what isn't broken. For vinyl I'd much rather have vintage gear (hence the Sansui 9090 I currently use and the Pioneer tube receiver I'm restoring).

 

[43st]

The Sherwood is underpowered (something like 15 watts per channel) and a bit long in the tooth to be honest. I installed a bat switch on the face plate when the volume knob switch broke. It also favors the right channel in output, not sure what's going on with that. I cleaned the pots and exercised it but it didn't do anything.

You bring up a good point though on going vintage/used. I don't have a good repair route around here for fixing gear, which is why I was considering new instead. I'll look around some.

 

[NutBucket]

Ah, yeah. I suppose a dying, underpowered, vintage isn't exactly ideal. Honestly, if you take some time you can find some nice "untouched" vintage gear requiring a tuneup more than a repair.

But, to be honest you don't need to be a brain surgeon to do minor repairs. And the Advents will love some nice vintage power pushing them. I'm sad I got rid of my dad's vintage Pioneer speakers about 6 years ago. Should have kept them. Oh well.

 

[KGB]

Look on your local CL for a vintage Marantz 22xxb receiver.
$75-$100 for the unit and do a re-cap.

Your Advents will love it.

 

[43st]

Something like this? http://www.classic-audio.com/marantz/2270.html

 

[JAG87]

Just fyi OP, the Outlaw has something that sets it far apart from every other one. It has a USB input.

Plug any computer into it and you have a 100&#37; pure, plug and play DAC, even if your computer has no sound card. I know it's not your primary intention for your setup, but down the road this will pay off like you would not believe.

 

[NutBucket]

Something like this? http://www.classic-audio.com/marantz/2270.html

That would work. But you will definitely overpay on ebay. That's why the KGBMAN suggested CL. Sure there'll be overpriced junk but you can definitely get some bargains.

Also, cruise your local thrift shops, goodwill, etc. You will almost certainly find some good bargains there too. Of course, if you don't have time for that choose carefully on ebay for one that has been done properly.

Also try audiogon.

 

[43st]

I'll keep an eye on Audiogon, they have some pretty good gear and a deal once in a while.

I'm less concerned with a good price than I am with reliability and good sound. If I go the vintage Marantz route I'd probably want something re-capped. I could probably do it, but my skills are borderline in that department and if anything went wrong I'd need to take it somewhere.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Marantz gear is not bad, but I prefer Denon or Harman Kardon for vintage solid state. Wide frequency bandwidth and high current capability (to handle low impedance loads well), with decent phono preamp sections. Most of them can handle moving magnet and moving coil cartridges.

 

[KGB]

That would work. But you will definitely overpay on ebay. That's why the KGBMAN suggested CL. Sure there'll be overpriced junk but you can definitely get some bargains.

Also, cruise your local thrift shops, goodwill, etc. You will almost certainly find some good bargains there too. Of course, if you don't have time for that choose carefully on ebay for one that has been done properly.

Also try audiogon.

Good advice!! All of it except for the Audiogon.

Seriously, these old Marantz units sound way better than they have a right to. Certainly better than modern day junk.
Keep watching CL and some will turn up. The higher power models fetch some big bux but the lower power ones are very reasonable.

Something like this:

 

[NutBucket]

My disclaimer is I've never used Audiogon but it seems like a better place to look than ebay for a receiver that requires no maintenance....at least I think?

 

[KGB]

My disclaimer is I've never used Audiogon but it seems like a better place to look than ebay for a receiver that requires no maintenance....at least I think?

You're right.

Their prices are expensive but at least you don't get into a bidding war like eBay.
My advice to the OP: be patient and scour CL.