need help for choosing the right integrated amplifier within $500
sherlock -- Mon, 09/05/2011 - 22:00
Hi!
This is my first post.I am hoping to buy a new hi fi setup and to start off I am focusing on the integrated amp first.I have a budget of $500. Looking for a nice amp. Imostly listen to rock,folk,instrumentals. Need a amp that will do justice to its price. I have seen and tested from Denon,Yamaha,Cambridge,Creek . But all in different setup and place so its pretty hard to distinguise. I dont like coloration to the music and want pure audio.
I will be very gratefull to have some help in this matter....
Thanks berofehand..
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You will find if you try them that the Jolida JD102B and JD202BRC sound much more musical than the brands mentioned.
JD202BRC rated at 50 W RMS per channel but sounds like 80 to 100 if comparing to solid state as is the nature of tube amps when having robust power supply and ouput transformers as do the Jolidas. It may be out of your price range but look for used ones as many JD202BRC folks upgrade to the JD801 or other tube gear. Do not worry about tube lfe the preamp tubes last 10 years and the power tubes last 5 years. Do not worry about lack of tone controls, they sound so good you will not want them. On the other hand you may what phono preamp, in which case NAD or Cambridge intergarted amp may be your best value.
The JD102B does not have a remote control and is rated at 20 amps RMS per channel, it will easily match the volume of 40, 50 and even some 60 w RMS solid state amps al the while sounding much more musical. Way "cool" little amp but some folks will not want to give up on the remote volume control,
I know I would not. But keep in mind some CD players have remote volmue control. Let us know what you check out and what you decide upon.
Paul
You will find if you try them that the Jolida JD102B and JD202BRC sound much more musical than the brands mentioned.
JD202BRC rated at 50 W RMS per channel but sounds like 80 to 100 if comparing to solid state as is the nature of tube amps when having robust power supply and ouput transformers as do the Jolidas. It may be out of your price range but look for used ones as many JD202BRC folks upgrade to the JD801 or other tube gear. Do not worry about tube lfe the preamp tubes last 10 years and the power tubes last 5 years. Do not worry about lack of tone controls, they sound so good you will not want them. On the other hand you may what phono preamp, in which case NAD or Cambridge intergarted amp may be your best value.
The JD102B does not have a remote control and is rated at 20 amps RMS per channel, it will easily match the volume of 40, 50 and even some 60 w RMS solid state amps al the while sounding much more musical. Way "cool" little amp but some folks will not want to give up on the remote volume control,
I know I would not. But keep in mind some CD players have remote volmue control. Let us know what you check out and what you decide upon.
Paul
Thanks for the suggestion Paul. I will definite look for it. But have you listened to any of the amp mentioned the yamaha or CS or nad..how do they sound ..
Folks I Need some more post so please do help out..
Thank You
How efficient are your speakers? Some speakers need more power than others which can often rule out some low powered amps. Unless you are right into it stick with solid state rather than tubes. From your list I think Creek but I'm not you. Your ears should be the judge. If you are in the US maybe look for something on the used market. I have heard good reports about Rotel.
I have a NAD C370 that does a marvelous job of driving my entry-level B&W speakers. I hate the way they look, though. If/when I replace the NAD, I'll probably get a Cambrdge Audio 550A or 650A integrated.
Sherlock should buy your used NAD C370, and use it to drive a new pair of Salk SongTowers.
A nice looking ventilated cabinet could be used to hide and protect the NAD.
http://www.avguide.com/review/audio-van-alstine-ultravalve-power-amplifi...
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0408/stalk_signature_son...
http://www.salksound.com/songtower%20home.htm
.
I tested a teac fm/am stereo amplifier today ( teac ag980 and ag790) . does anybody has any idea about these pairs..??
today i tested some bookshelf speakers From B&W 601,Klipsch B20, Jamo S406,PSB ....Liked the B&W and JAmo.. Wondering if jamos can be good with yamaha as500
If you can,give the Harman Kardon 3390 or 3490 a listen.They both have phono inputs and the3490 has digital inputs from a CD player.They're powerful and clean sounding and have been around for a while so there are some super deals availible.
3390/3490-Mitsu 5004CD-teac SL-QD33
GJM
How about this Sherlock !
Yamaha AS-500 integrated amplifier.
Monitor Audio BX5 speakers
Marantz CD6003 cd player
Pro-Ject RPM-5 turntable
Cambridge Audio Azur 640P phono pre-amp
Ortofon 2M Bronze phono cartridge
Bought the Yamaha AS500 and Kef Q100 for $862. Got the kef at home and the yamaha is in shipment. Very excited to listen them. Can any one have any idea how it will sound. what will be a good addon cd and fm player to the system...