My old amp blew last week and now I'm in the market for a new(to me) integrated amplifier. I originally wanted to get a NAD 3020 but there don't seem to be any on E-Bay. Does anybody have suggestions for good integrated amp that would be in the same range as the NAD 3020 but that I would be able to locate?
AUDIOPHILES: Best integrated amplifier under $250
- Thread starter tweakmm
- Start date
Analog
Lifer
- Jan 7, 2002
- 12,755
- 3
- 0
For $250? I'd build my own. I've built several, and their really not that hard (my own design). There are a bunch out there on the web that are good as well. You're not going to find much for that price retail though. If I didn't build my own, I'd go Bryston or Rotel.
The Rotel 02 is a bit better than the NAD according to pro reviews. But it's insane to buy new b/c of the devaluation. You could get a much better piece of equipmentthan even than Rotel in your price range USED.
Remember, the BEST deals are on used equipment. Audiophiles are like that Niles character on that show "Frasier." They definitely DO take care of their audio equipment with kid gloves. You can get an amazing piece of equipment for 70% off.
The ONLY place to get pristine used equipment is at: Audiogon.
P.S. I got a pristine amp from this site for 60% off.
P.S.S. Get the British mag "What HI-Fi". It has great simple ratings on the same products that are available in the US.
P.S.S.S. Also ask this question at: Harmonic Discord, Audio Asylum. For ratings, check: Ecoustics, Audio Review.
DEFINITELY BUY USED EQUIPMENT FROM AUDIOGON (Audiogon also has a chat board to ask questions), THE SELLERS RATE THE STATUS OF THEIR PRODUCTS (so you know that an 8/10 is pretty pristine). Audiophiles always find new gadgets, and when they unload, that's when you get an exceptional deal.
Remember, the BEST deals are on used equipment. Audiophiles are like that Niles character on that show "Frasier." They definitely DO take care of their audio equipment with kid gloves. You can get an amazing piece of equipment for 70% off.
The ONLY place to get pristine used equipment is at: Audiogon.
P.S. I got a pristine amp from this site for 60% off.
P.S.S. Get the British mag "What HI-Fi". It has great simple ratings on the same products that are available in the US.
P.S.S.S. Also ask this question at: Harmonic Discord, Audio Asylum. For ratings, check: Ecoustics, Audio Review.
DEFINITELY BUY USED EQUIPMENT FROM AUDIOGON (Audiogon also has a chat board to ask questions), THE SELLERS RATE THE STATUS OF THEIR PRODUCTS (so you know that an 8/10 is pretty pristine). Audiophiles always find new gadgets, and when they unload, that's when you get an exceptional deal.
Don't flame me here, but the Ratshack DD/DTS receiver they're selling is the same as a Pioneer. I forget the model # but you can typically find it on sale for like $225. It's a good receiver for the money. Component inputs, etc.
Personally if you wanted something a little better than that I'd look for a lower-end Onkyo. Nice.
Personally if you wanted something a little better than that I'd look for a lower-end Onkyo. Nice.
Pioneer is the OEM of choice.
LOTS of the other bands, Onkyo, Marantz, etc.. are Pioneer inside.
The parts might be manufactured by Pioneer, but the features of brands are different. The Ratshack receiver is exactly the same as the Pioneer model- cosmetically and feature-wise, I don't know about the internals, but I assume they are the same. Ratshack only carries one, so it won't be hard to find.
Onkyo seems to have a really good QA dept. For $300 you might get a little less, but you'll get a higher quality product. Refurbished Onkyos are even cheaper, and they come with a full 1yr factory warranty.
Onkyo seems to have a really good QA dept. For $300 you might get a little less, but you'll get a higher quality product. Refurbished Onkyos are even cheaper, and they come with a full 1yr factory warranty.
used rotel, NAD, classe or jolida are the only ones I can think of.
New and under 250 bucks? I'd save some more money.
New and under 250 bucks? I'd save some more money.
I realise that I'm going to be buying used gear, thats why I mentioned the NAD, I dont think I would be able to get one of those new
I even said "new(to me)"
Pioneer
I am very picky.
I have over $10,000 in speakers.
I use an RTA in my home an car.
Unless you want to spend thousands on a lexicon and separate amplifiers, you can't beat a $250 Pioneer.
I run my system off of one.
I am very picky.
I have over $10,000 in speakers.
I use an RTA in my home an car.
Unless you want to spend thousands on a lexicon and separate amplifiers, you can't beat a $250 Pioneer.
I run my system off of one.
Originally posted by: tweakmm
I realise that I'm going to be buying used gear, thats why I mentioned the NAD, I dont think I would be able to get one of those new
I even said "new(to me)"
As I said before. Try to find a used Rotel 920. Great amp that can drive difficult speakers.
While I was searching through all of those sites I happened across a NAD 3020
I think I'm going to go with that one
I think I'm going to go with that one
If you can stretch your dollars for a used Rotel 02, I'd take that over the NAD.
You really can't go wrong with the NAD, but the Rotel was rated as having more refinement that was worth the extra scratch. Look at "What Hi-Fi" magazine (in the back of each mag, it carries a rating and brief description of products past-rated). In a recent past issue they compared both head-to-head and Rotel won. Despite the "win" the NAD was named "amp of the year" b/c you get so damn much for the price.
NAD is a great product to buy on the internet (much more than the Rotel) due to discounting. So do a Google search for that NAD and email retailers to work down the price. You should be able to save big buck$ over the price that's originally listed...........I worked down the price of a NAD cd player by $200 over the net, so I know this method works. NEVER SETTLE FOR RETAIL IN AUDIO...............
Check out the Rotel some more thru the links I gave you. Make your mind and see what price you can get NEW and USED on Audiogon.
You really can't go wrong with the NAD, but the Rotel was rated as having more refinement that was worth the extra scratch. Look at "What Hi-Fi" magazine (in the back of each mag, it carries a rating and brief description of products past-rated). In a recent past issue they compared both head-to-head and Rotel won. Despite the "win" the NAD was named "amp of the year" b/c you get so damn much for the price.
NAD is a great product to buy on the internet (much more than the Rotel) due to discounting. So do a Google search for that NAD and email retailers to work down the price. You should be able to save big buck$ over the price that's originally listed...........I worked down the price of a NAD cd player by $200 over the net, so I know this method works. NEVER SETTLE FOR RETAIL IN AUDIO...............
Check out the Rotel some more thru the links I gave you. Make your mind and see what price you can get NEW and USED on Audiogon.
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