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Good integrated amplifier

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Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
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
Click to expand...

Take your pick:

1) good stereo
2) good surround

Because if you want both it will cost ya.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
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
Click to expand...

Take your pick:

1) good stereo
2) good surround

Because if you want both it will cost ya.
Click to expand...

hence why right now, i want stereo. im still in college, cant use anything more than stereo really.

MIKE
 
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
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
Click to expand...

I'm not going to sit here and write argue that recievers are better than seperate amps, because that is simply not true, but your price range is REALLY limiting, and the amp you are going to find for that price won;t be that great compared to what you can get for jsut a little more...

For example, this B&K amp is to die for...

Or how about this kickass Rotel Amp.

Yes, yes...truely, I am proud to say that those two would UTTERLY DECIMATE my reciever if I connected them to my Speaks😀
 
That's why I'm steering you in the integrated route.

best bang for the buck. especially at your budget. The 200-300 used integrated will literally blow the doors off of sub 2000 dollar receivers for music.

heck I've probably got a few integrateds laying around I could sell.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
That's why I'm steering you in the integrated route.

best bang for the buck. especially at your budget. The 200-300 used integrated will literally blow the doors off of sub 2000 dollar receivers for music.

heck I've probably got a few integrateds laying around I could sell.
Click to expand...

Or perhaps give away? !!!!😀
 
I just went through the same thing. Ended up picking up a vintage Dynaco unit.

From what I understand, on a budget... nothing beats high end vintage equipment. They will kill modern recievers in everything except.. modern-ness.

If you want schnazzy LCD displays, need the latest encoding/decoding technologies, connectors, etc, then vintage is probably not for you.

If you want basic functionality on the front and pure amp inside, you may want to look into it. Give ribbon13 a PM, he knows his sh!t.

Thread
 
Keep in midn that if you get a standalone amp you will need some sort of input box if you plan to plug in various devices and switch between them in practical fashion......
 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: spidey07
That's why I'm steering you in the integrated route.

best bang for the buck. especially at your budget. The 200-300 used integrated will literally blow the doors off of sub 2000 dollar receivers for music.

heck I've probably got a few integrateds laying around I could sell.
Click to expand...

Or perhaps give away? !!!!😀
Click to expand...

Let's put it this way.....

One of my HK integrateds powered my Logan's just fine (although at only 150 watts/ch it would cut out if I turned it to 11 o'clock)

An integrated is just that - a decent amp with a pre-amp thrown on top of it.
 
Originally posted by: Eli
I just went through the same thing. Ended up picking up a vintage Dynaco unit.

From what I understand, on a budget... nothing beats high end vintage equipment. They will kill modern recievers in everything except.. modern-ness.

If you want schnazzy LCD displays, need the latest encoding/decoding technologies, connectors, etc, then vintage is probably not for you.

If you want basic functionality on the front and pure amp inside, you may want to look into it. Give ribbon13 a PM, he knows his sh!t.

Thread
Click to expand...

link broken.

MIKE
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: spidey07
That's why I'm steering you in the integrated route.

best bang for the buck. especially at your budget. The 200-300 used integrated will literally blow the doors off of sub 2000 dollar receivers for music.

heck I've probably got a few integrateds laying around I could sell.
Click to expand...

Or perhaps give away? !!!!😀
Click to expand...

Let's put it this way.....

One of my HK integrateds powered my Logan's just fine (although at only 150 watts/ch it would cut out if I turned it to 11 o'clock)

An integrated is just that - a decent amp with a pre-amp thrown on top of it.
Click to expand...

I don't get it...are we going to exchange shipping information or not?
 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: spidey07
That's why I'm steering you in the integrated route.

best bang for the buck. especially at your budget. The 200-300 used integrated will literally blow the doors off of sub 2000 dollar receivers for music.

heck I've probably got a few integrateds laying around I could sell.
Click to expand...

Or perhaps give away? !!!!😀
Click to expand...

Let's put it this way.....

One of my HK integrateds powered my Logan's just fine (although at only 150 watts/ch it would cut out if I turned it to 11 o'clock)

An integrated is just that - a decent amp with a pre-amp thrown on top of it.
Click to expand...

I don't get it...are we going to exchange shipping information or not?
Click to expand...

i got dibs cuz i pmed him first duudddeee.

MIKE
 
Looks like your budget is a bit more than mine was though, not sure how that changes things.

I don't really know anything about stereo equipment, haha.. so... I'm just echoing what I've learned over the last few days.
 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: spidey07
That's why I'm steering you in the integrated route.

best bang for the buck. especially at your budget. The 200-300 used integrated will literally blow the doors off of sub 2000 dollar receivers for music.

heck I've probably got a few integrateds laying around I could sell.
Click to expand...

Or perhaps give away? !!!!😀
Click to expand...

Let's put it this way.....

One of my HK integrateds powered my Logan's just fine (although at only 150 watts/ch it would cut out if I turned it to 11 o'clock)

An integrated is just that - a decent amp with a pre-amp thrown on top of it.
Click to expand...

I don't get it...are we going to exchange shipping information or not?
Click to expand...

heh, I love my old stuff too much. It was my start into this god awful expensive and rewarding hobby.

 
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: Eli
I just went through the same thing. Ended up picking up a vintage Dynaco unit.

From what I understand, on a budget... nothing beats high end vintage equipment. They will kill modern recievers in everything except.. modern-ness.

If you want schnazzy LCD displays, need the latest encoding/decoding technologies, connectors, etc, then vintage is probably not for you.

If you want basic functionality on the front and pure amp inside, you may want to look into it. Give ribbon13 a PM, he knows his sh!t.

Thread

link broken.

MIKE
Click to expand...
fixed, heh. My copy/paste isnt working for some reason, so I had to type it out.

edit ok, there.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: spidey07
That's why I'm steering you in the integrated route.

best bang for the buck. especially at your budget. The 200-300 used integrated will literally blow the doors off of sub 2000 dollar receivers for music.

heck I've probably got a few integrateds laying around I could sell.
Click to expand...

Or perhaps give away? !!!!😀
Click to expand...

Let's put it this way.....

One of my HK integrateds powered my Logan's just fine (although at only 150 watts/ch it would cut out if I turned it to 11 o'clock)

An integrated is just that - a decent amp with a pre-amp thrown on top of it.
Click to expand...

I don't get it...are we going to exchange shipping information or not?
Click to expand...

heh, I love my old stuff too much. It was my start into this god awful expensive and rewarding hobby.
Click to expand...

Rewarding?REWARDING?!?!...not until my next upgrade😎
 
thanks guys im gunna look around for a good deal. you guys were more help than AVSforum is. i got 2 replies in 2 days so far. one reccomending a new onkyo, and a new sherwood stereo receiver. none really helping with looking at a used one

MIKE
 
Here's a recommendation you really should consider.


Pioneer Elite A-35R Integrated Amp.
At the moment I am using it to drive a pair of Von Schweikert VR-1,
they sound really really good.

They should be ~$160+ shipping.

only problem is they don't have pre-out, so if you need a subwoofer, you have to use high level output.
 
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: ribbon13
Hello hello...

Dynaco Stereo 150 and PAT4
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...em&category=71545&item=5754371303&rd=1

Dynaco Stereo 400 <-- NICE.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...em&category=71545&item=5755374086&rd=1

Hafler TA1100
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...em&category=23787&item=7303530936&rd=1

Crown CE1000 <-- NICE
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...7&item=3780611062&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
Click to expand...

🙂

MIKE
Click to expand...

Kind of overkill don't you think😀

The Dynaco looks nice though...if that is what you want...
 
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...

If you don't need aq tuner you are really not needing a receiver since they come with tuners. You need a stereo amplifier. Pick up a used Rotel RA 920 AX. That's what I've using for the past 6 years.
 
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
i think im gunna get a NAD 3020. just gotta make sure its available etc.

MIKE
Click to expand...

An oldie but goodie. However, the Rotel I mentioned is more modern and sounds better.
The 3020 came out in '78 - '79 and the age is showing.
 
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