Thinking about a refurbished Onkyo A-9555

[Operandi]

Refurbished or not I think this is the amp I want to go with but dose anyone have any experience with refurbished gear from Onkyo? And I assume the retailer is not an important factor as long as they have a good return policy?

In case someone wants to change my mind I am open to other suggestions but I'd like the keep around the $400-$500 max. It will be used in conjunction with my HTPC for both music and movies but I'm not concerned with surround sound at this point.

Also I'm been into DIY speakers for awhile now and who knows what I'll build next so it has to be able to handle 4ohm loads.

 

[Smoove910]

I've been running a refurbed unit from Onkyo for the past 4 years without issue. I have a TX-SR505 receiver and love it with my Monitor 60's, CS1 center, and RM6751 surrounds.

 

[vi edit]

If you want a real beast in the $500'ish range...then get an XPA-3 and let that run your front threes.

http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm

 

[vi edit]

Wait...do you want an amp and a seperate pre/pro? Or do you want an integrated receiver/amp too?

 

[Operandi]

I think I'd just like to stick with an integrated amp, at some point I will probably go with separates. A surround receiver wouldn't be bad for its digital sound processing but I don't need more than 2 channels of amplification (right now) so I would assume that a 2 channel integrated would be better quality for the money?

I did consider Emotiva stuff but I just can't get past the looks of the gear, too much chrome and blue LED for my tastes.

 

[SearchMaster]

I have a cheapo Onkyo refurb (paid about $75 I think), it's been great.

 

[alcoholbob]

The problem with separates is that you have more potential sources for ground loop noise, versus a single integrated unit. Even with a lot of noise suppression devices you may find your noise floor raised with separates.