Good integrated amplifier

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MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Stereo: AKA: cheap.

looking for a stereo receiver to start out with to power what i currently have for speakers. it would be nice if it was under $200 used is perfect with me. does NAD make nice receivers? also what specific modelsshould i search for on Ebay. or does anyone have something i could purchase?

MIKE
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Stereo or 5.1? Actually either way this is a good choice:

J&R has a factory-refurbished Onkyo TXSR502 for $149 + $28 shipping jr.com that includes a 1-year warranty from Onkyo.
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
You can find an OK Sherwood stereo for under $100 (check eCost) if you're 100% sure you'll never want more than stereo.

Or J&R (www.jr.com) has an Onkyo refurb with just stereo for under $100 plus $18 shipping.

Your local Sunday paper or visiting local stores might be the best option since shipping will be $20-30.
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
You can find an OK Sherwood stereo for under $100 (check eCost) if you're 100% sure you'll never want more than stereo.

Or J&R (www.jr.com) has an Onkyo refurb with just stereo for under $100 plus $18 shipping.

Your local Sunday paper or visiting local stores might be the best option since shipping will be $20-30.
Click to expand...

i will want more than stereo but not for a few years. right now i just want a nice stereo to power my speakers, and then upgrade the speakers, etc and leave the Receiver for last, however everything will take a few years.

MIKE
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,152
635
126
Might try getting a vintage one off ebay (70's era). That'd be the best choice for stereo IMHO.
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Might try getting a vintage one off ebay (70's era). That'd be the best choice for stereo IMHO.
Click to expand...

thats why i was referring to the NAD's but im not sure what models they mad that are very nice.

MIKE
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
ok a few other forums have reccomended NAD, AMC, Rotel, but Rotels seem expensive, and Cambrindge Audio, and Sherwood. but im still looking. ebay doesnt have many NAD's, and no AMC's

MIKE
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
ok a few other forums have reccomended NAD, AMC, Rotel, but those seem expensive, and Cambrindge Audio, and Sherwood. but im still looking. ebay doesnt have many NAD's, and no AMC's

MIKE
Click to expand...

Those are all good choices.

if you don't need a tuner look for an integrated amplifier - HK makes some decent ones if the NAD/rotel is too rich.
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
ok a few other forums have reccomended NAD, AMC, Rotel, but those seem expensive, and Cambrindge Audio, and Sherwood. but im still looking. ebay doesnt have many NAD's, and no AMC's

MIKE
Click to expand...

Those are all good choices.

if you don't need a tuner look for an integrated amplifier - HK makes some decent ones if the NAD/rotel is too rich.
Click to expand...

i dont really need a tuner right now. just something to plug the TV and a cd player into to get tunes out of. Cambridge makes some tube amps, but a lot seem to need fixed. and ive always heard tube amps are very very nice. but i dont want to go fixin one.

MIKE
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,152
635
126
Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
Find yourself a late '70s Sansui reciever. Those things were built like tanks.
Click to expand...

Those are definitely nice to.

<-- listening to one right now (at work of course).
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
ok a few other forums have reccomended NAD, AMC, Rotel, but those seem expensive, and Cambrindge Audio, and Sherwood. but im still looking. ebay doesnt have many NAD's, and no AMC's

MIKE
Click to expand...

Those are all good choices.

if you don't need a tuner look for an integrated amplifier - HK makes some decent ones if the NAD/rotel is too rich.
Click to expand...

i dont really need a tuner right now. just something to plug the TV and a cd player into to get tunes out of. Cambridge makes some tube amps, but a lot seem to need fixed. and ive always heard tube amps are very very nice. but i dont want to go fixin one.

MIKE
Click to expand...

I don't think you wanna get into tubes. whole other ball game.

I'll second finding a working sansui - very nice.

www.audiogon.com

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1114450157
teh drool
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
ok a few other forums have reccomended NAD, AMC, Rotel, but those seem expensive, and Cambrindge Audio, and Sherwood. but im still looking. ebay doesnt have many NAD's, and no AMC's

MIKE
Click to expand...

Those are all good choices.

if you don't need a tuner look for an integrated amplifier - HK makes some decent ones if the NAD/rotel is too rich.
Click to expand...

i dont really need a tuner right now. just something to plug the TV and a cd player into to get tunes out of. Cambridge makes some tube amps, but a lot seem to need fixed. and ive always heard tube amps are very very nice. but i dont want to go fixin one.

MIKE
Click to expand...

I don't think you wanna get into tubes. whole other ball game.

I'll second finding a working sansui - very nice.

www.audiogon.com

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1114450157
teh drool
Click to expand...

dear god that site is hard to browse.

and is the link i quoted after you edited for the Rotel 1200 watt stereo amplifier?
nvm: it was a krell

MIKE
 
G

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Frankly, it looks like quality is important to you but not > $200 important:D

That said, get a 5.1 reciever. Frankly, ther is no justification in just getting an amp or a stereo reciever at that price. There is no way you'll get a capable NAD reciever or equivalent piece of equipment for that price. THat, and pretty much every 5.1 reciever in that price range will give you acceptable audio.

I too started out with a 2, and then a 2.1 setup, but I chose an Onkyo Tx-sr600 6.1 reciever and couldn;t be happier. It did a magnificent 90watts /ch in stereo (rated at 80:D) and has all the goodies that I am now able to use having the 5.1 speaker setup.

Truely, unless you are an audiophile on an audiophile budget, there is NO reason to go stereo in this price range. That said, if you were willing to spend around $500, the possibilities with 2-channel amps and recievers are ENDLESS:D
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
i think ill up my budget to $200 but not much more. it seems like thats where my budget is headed. this just puts off me spending money on other things, but i want a stereo amp or receiver. and yes i am an audiophile on a non audiophiles budget.

i think im going to redesign my crossovers and rebuild them for my Vifa/Northcreek 2 way set and then rebuild a box, or maybe keep them in the same box im not sure yet.

MIKE
 
G

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
i think ill up my budget to $200 but not much more. it seems like thats where my budget is headed. this just puts off me spending money on other things, but i want a stereo amp or receiver. and yes i am an audiophile on a non audiophiles budget.

i think im going to redesign my crossovers and rebuild them for my Vifa/Northcreek 2 way set and then rebuild a box, or maybe keep them in the same box im not sure yet.

MIKE
Click to expand...

Like I said, you're going to need more than $200...at least up to $300 like Spidey said....


I was going to get a NAD, but am glad I didn't. The upgrade path to 5.1 would have been VERY expensive and I would have realized little to no gain on my ~budget Mirage Frx-5's.....($400/pair)
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
hmm, after a few seconds of thinking, i think my grandpa happens to have a Marantz tuner/receiver, not sure if they have an amp or not. will have to look at it when i get home. but i think i want a stereo receiver. i have speakers, and no receiver. i cant justify getting a cheap surround receiver for no aparent reason when a cheap quality 2 channel amp would work.

MIKE
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
i think ill up my budget to $200 but not much more. it seems like thats where my budget is headed. this just puts off me spending money on other things, but i want a stereo amp or receiver. and yes i am an audiophile on a non audiophiles budget.

i think im going to redesign my crossovers and rebuild them for my Vifa/Northcreek 2 way set and then rebuild a box, or maybe keep them in the same box im not sure yet.

MIKE
Click to expand...

Like I said, you're going to need more than $200...at least up to $300 like Spidey said....


I was going to get a NAD, but am glad I didn't. The upgrade path to 5.1 would have been VERY expensive and I would have realized little to no gain on my ~budget Mirage Frx-5's.....($400/pair)
Click to expand...

but for your 300 bucks for the NAD integrated you would have had a great amp for 2 channel.

IMHO, receivers in the sub 2000 range won't touch a good, cheap integrated. I moved to the surround realm with a denon 3802 4 years ago. Let me tell you, that thing sucked for music and made me realize while I'll NEVER get a receiver.
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
i think ill up my budget to $200 but not much more. it seems like thats where my budget is headed. this just puts off me spending money on other things, but i want a stereo amp or receiver. and yes i am an audiophile on a non audiophiles budget.

i think im going to redesign my crossovers and rebuild them for my Vifa/Northcreek 2 way set and then rebuild a box, or maybe keep them in the same box im not sure yet.

MIKE
Click to expand...

Like I said, you're going to need more than $200...at least up to $300 like Spidey said....


I was going to get a NAD, but am glad I didn't. The upgrade path to 5.1 would have been VERY expensive and I would have realized little to no gain on my ~budget Mirage Frx-5's.....($400/pair)
Click to expand...

but for your 300 bucks for the NAD integrated you would have had a great amp for 2 channel.

IMHO, receivers in the sub 2000 range won't touch a good, cheap integrated. I moved to the surround realm with a denon 3802 4 years ago. Let me tell you, that thing sucked for music and made me realize while I'll NEVER get a receiver.
Click to expand...

theoretically though, if i got a good NAD/Marantz etc, could i not just purchase a few more of them (3) and end up with 6 channels, although the center would be sorta messed up. and then it still would be extremely nice. although i would have to have a controller for those amps.

but thats like 3 years from now.

MIKE
 
G

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
hmm, after a few seconds of thinking, i think my grandpa happens to have a Marantz tuner/receiver, not sure if they have an amp or not. will have to look at it when i get home. but i think i want a stereo receiver. i have speakers, and no receiver. i cant justify getting a cheap surround receiver for no aparent reason when a cheap quality 2 channel amp would work.

MIKE
Click to expand...

Evaluate your logic for a moment however.

On one hand buying a device capable of much more than you require is indeed unnecessary, but that is only part of it. You have to consider that these devices might also provide you with better sound quality, even in stereo, all for the price you are willing to pay.

Like I said, I purchased my Onkyo Reciever instead of a NAD, actually, instead of an adcom:D, bnack in the day, because for the price (cheaper than the adcom), I got VERY good stereo sound (90wt) with massive transformers and capacitors to insure that I wouldn't get any clipping.

Buying a 5.1 reciever is somethign I recommended only because the stereo performance is quite pleasing in that pricerange without havign to pay a premium for devices geared towards the "component" -oriented markets.
 
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