Integrated Amplifiers on the cheap, is there no rest for the weary?

[lifestyle]

Seeking an Integrated Amp in the $400.00-$500.00 range (new). Now, like a normal individual, I like to do a little research before laying down 5 bills - don't you? Much to my dismay, the more research I do - the more congested my head gets, and no amount of "Nyquil" will cure me! Now the "NAD C 326BEE", its said, gets way too hot - leading to its dread! (great sound though some say). The "Yamaha A-S501" is slim on the low end, and bright, and to some, thats "no" slight. The "Cambridge AZUR 651A" is just "a pile" to some, but at one point, I thought it was "the one". The "Music Hall a15.3" seemed to me to be fair, but when you look inside at the guts - there's nothing there! (seems to have very little circuitry). The "Marantz", in my range, seem to have very small Cojones' (Ca-ho-nays) - and I need the extra power, 65-85 watts per side. "Sony" seems boney, and oh so phoney.... "Onkyo"? Well... Whichever I choose, I want the matching CD player, to play the blues. Getting ready to quench my passion for music, seeing as though there's nothing but mediocre units at this price. Seeking only "very seasoned" "Elder" (not old) audiophiles, with an honest, level head to give it to me straight. Are there any "real" bargains at this price - with no weaknesses across the spectrum. Please don't add to my confusion...

 

[anamorphic96]

Seeking an Integrated Amp in the $400.00-$500.00 range (new). Now, like a normal individual, I like to do a little research before laying down 5 bills - don't you? Much to my dismay, the more research I do - the more congested my head gets, and no amount of "Nyquil" will cure me! Now the "NAD C 326BEE", its said, gets way too hot - leading to its dread! (great sound though some say). The "Yamaha A-S501" is slim on the low end, and bright, and to some, thats "no" slight. The "Cambridge AZUR 651A" is just "a pile" to some, but at one point, I thought it was "the one". The "Music Hall a15.3" seemed to me to be fair, but when you look inside at the guts - there's nothing there! (seems to have very little circuitry). The "Marantz", in my range, seem to have very small Cojones' (Ca-ho-nays) - and I need the extra power, 65-85 watts per side. "Sony" seems boney, and oh so phoney.... "Onkyo"? Well... Whichever I choose, I want the matching CD player, to play the blues. Getting ready to quench my passion for music, seeing as though there's nothing but mediocre units at this price. Seeking only "very seasoned" "Elder" (not old) audiophiles, with an honest, level head to give it to me straight. Are there any "real" bargains at this price - with no weaknesses across the spectrum. Please don't add to my confusion...

The info you have on the NAD is just plain wrong. It will run warmer with a difficult load but not hot to the point of failure. I owned the 320BEE, and the 325BEE briefly and both ran cold or luke warm to warm depending on how loud I was playing. Give the amp a minimum of the 3" of clearance on top and you should have no issues with it running hot.

Also keep in mind many people do not give proper clearance and stack things on top of their amps thinking the the little bit of clearance between the two components is enough breathing room. It's not. Components should never be stacked on top of an amp.

All the amps you listed are good choices. I use the A-S500 and it's not bass shy. That's another myth perpetuated by the internet. Yamaha amps are not bass shy or bright and whoever told you that is full of it. Yamaha like all well designed amps just present whats there and do not add anything.

 

[lifestyle]

Thank you anamorphic96. I had at last chosen the A-S501, but continued to research, and came across some bad reviews that threw-me-for-a-loop. Hoping for some more Audiophilic advice via the combined, mass wisdom on this sight... Anybody know where Gene is?

 

[KEW]

You can find all kinds of BS in reviews (including reviews claiming that $100 per foot speaker cables will make a "night and day" difference in your sound quality).
But think about it - Electronics for reproduction of sound is a very mature science. If there is no measured difference in the frequency response, don't accept that people will hear differences. People will perceive things based on their expectations, but what they hear is not going to change between any mainstream amps from established companies.

But just to double check you, what speakers are you using? Do you know their impedance (preferably from a review measurement, not from the manufacturer)? I ask these questions because there are a few speakers that do not "play nice" with just any amp.

 

[lifestyle]

The info you have on the NAD is just plain wrong. It will run warmer with a difficult load but not hot to the point of failure. I owned the 320BEE, and the 325BEE briefly and both ran cold or luke warm to warm depending on how loud I was playing. Give the amp a minimum of the 3" of clearance on top and you should have no issues with it running hot.

Also keep in mind many people do not give proper clearance and stack things on top of their amps thinking the the little bit of clearance between the two components is enough breathing room. It's not. Components should never be stacked on top of an amp.

All the amps you listed are good choices. I use the A-S500 and it's not bass shy. That's another myth perpetuated by the internet. Yamaha amps are not bass shy or bright and whoever told you that is full of it. Yamaha like all well designed amps just present whats there and do not add anything.

Do any of the aforementioned Amps, stand out above the rest in your opinion? (I know that question tends to be "Taboo", but i'll ask it anyways!

 

[lifestyle]

You can find all kinds of BS in reviews (including reviews claiming that $100 per foot speaker cables will make a "night and day" difference in your sound quality).
But think about it - Electronics for reproduction of sound is a very mature science. If there is no measured difference in the frequency response, don't accept that people will hear differences. People will perceive things based on their expectations, but what they hear is not going to change between any mainstream amps from established companies.

But just to double check you, what speakers are you using? Do you know their impedance (preferably from a review measurement, not from the manufacturer)? I ask these questions because there are a few speakers that do not "play nice" with just any amp.

Hi Kew, and thanks for your time. The speakers are not yet "set in concrete". I'd like to do a DIY project - possibly the "Overnight Sensations TMM" in a 38" tower configuration (please don't laugh). At first I was dead set on satellites & a sub, but I then figured if I had a set of good towers - I could save the cost of the sub. (noting that this is all "in process", I have zero equipment now, just getting back into it. Used to have an Adcom GPA 5300, Adcom GTP 350 (I think), Marantz CD, and Phase Tech PC 60's)

 

[lifestyle]

Hi Kew, and thanks for your time. The speakers are not yet "set in concrete". I'd like to do a DIY project - possibly the "Overnight Sensations TMM" in a 38" tower configuration (please don't laugh). At first I was dead set on satellites & a sub, but I then figured if I had a set of good towers - I could save the cost of the sub. (noting that this is all "in process", I have zero equipment now, just getting back into it. Used to have an Adcom GPA 5300, Adcom GTP 350 (I think), Marantz CD, and Phase Tech PC 60's)

The Pioneer towers, the SP-FS52's are
also a possibility.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I get distinct feeling from op, way over thinking electronics and a speakers vastly secondary, then it should be completely the opposite. First find the speakers you like and you don't care about bells and whistles, get used avr. I'm willing to bet that 10 year old top of the line yamaha reciever could be found pennies on dime

 

[anamorphic96]

Do any of the aforementioned Amps, stand out above the rest in your opinion? (I know that question tends to be "Taboo", but i'll ask it anyways!

Yamaha is killing it right now with there integrated amps. They offer a lot of bang for the buck. NAD would be my second choice. The A-S500/501 is quite good for the money.

 

[lifestyle]

I get distinct feeling from op, way over thinking electronics and a speakers vastly secondary, then it should be completely the opposite. First find the speakers you like and you don't care about bells and whistles, get used avr. I'm willing to bet that 10 year old top of the line yamaha reciever could be found pennies on dime

Thank you BoredSysAdmin, that sounds like a good way to bring this all together. Do you have an opinion on any of the DIY tower speaker projects out there?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If I were to do diy speakers Dennis Murphy's ER18 would be the one I'd build. If you are looking for something even more, Curt's Statements

 

[lifestyle]

Yamaha is killing it right now with there integrated amps. They offer a lot of bang for the buck. NAD would be my second choice. The A-S500/501 is quite good for the money.

Yes, I was thinking the AS-501 too! I was trying to find where Gene & Hugo do an analysis on the A-S501, but to no avail... And "Audioholics" says nothing about the NAD C-326BEE, I wish they would review it...

 

[lifestyle]

If I were to do diy speakers Dennis Murphy's ER18 would be the one I'd build. If you are looking for something even more, Curt's Statements

I will check that out Mr. "Bored", thanks for the tip!

 

[lifestyle]

If I were to do diy speakers Dennis Murphy's ER18 would be the one I'd build. If you are looking for something even more, Curt's Statements

Those are 2 nice builds! I have to keep my cost down to under $250.00 for the speakers and crossovers (not including the other materials) Thanks though!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Well pretty much everything from Curt's site will be good speakers. Aviatrix in mtm mtml tower would fit your budget think

 

[slipperybidness]

Of the choices listed by the OP, I would go with Yammy and never look back.

But, if you could up the budget a little, this would be my #1 choice over any other integrated or stereo receiver

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html
B stock for $649
https://www.outlawaudio.com/mofcart/bstock.html

But, in all honesty, you are better off to up the budget on the speakers and lower it on the electronics. I would be looking at the Wavecrest speakers paired with a Dayton sub1200

 

[lifestyle]

Well pretty much everything from Curt's site will be good speakers. Aviatrix in mtm mtml tower would fit your budget think

Thanks...

 

[lifestyle]

Of the choices listed by the OP, I would go with Yammy and never look back.

But, if you could up the budget a little, this would be my #1 choice over any other integrated or stereo receiver

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html
B stock for $649
https://www.outlawaudio.com/mofcart/bstock.html

But, in all honesty, you are better off to up the budget on the speakers and lower it on the electronics. I would be looking at the Wavecrest speakers paired with a Dayton sub1200

Thanks, I probably will go with the A-S501, just was wanting to see a technical review.

 

[KEW]

Thanks, I probably will go with the A-S501, just was wanting to see a technical review.

Here is one for it's big (and older) brother, the AS700. Not sure how relevant it is to the 501.
http://www.avhub.com.au/product-reviews/hi-fi/yamaha-a-s700-integrated-amplifier-393552
Unfortunately, the link to the pdf file with measurements does not seem to exist any longer, but they did pretty well cover it in the discussion.

 

[anamorphic96]

Thanks, I probably will go with the A-S501, just was wanting to see a technical review.

If you just want a technical review here is one from Australia with bench tests.

http://www.avhub.com.au/product-reviews/hi-fi/yamaha-a-s500-amplifier-review-test-395710