Hey guys, Need some help if possible.

[stripey22]

Hello guys my names charlotte.

This seems like a nice forum and I hope someone can help me!

Im in need of a new amplifier. I Did have a cambridge audio A5 (until it exploded). The amplifier was ok, well i say ok, i didnt know any better to be honest... it was a hand me down.

I went around my friends house recently and they had a bang and olufsen audio system (i cant remember the model) and it was incredible, never had i heard sound so clear and crisp!

I never really considered myself an audiphile but I DEFINENTLY appreciate the finer aspects of music and I do have very sensitive ears and can definently get "lost" in music for a good 2 hours or so. Im also very musical, grade 7 in violin (sensless bosting!). But my point is i really need a good amplifier.

I have some cheap eltax floor speakers which i will change eventually but at the moment im looking for an Amplifier to start me off.

My price range is £200 - a max of £500.

If anyone can reccomend an EXCELLENT aplifier I would appreciate it ever so much!

thanks!

 

[Adam]

Charlotte, welcome to the forum!

Are you looking for a two-channel amp? I recently purchased an RPA-1 from Emotiva, and I'm quite happy with it. I'm not musically trained, though, so my standards are probably lower than yours are. The RPA-1 got a good review on this website (check out the professional reviews and you should find it pretty easily). You stated your budget in pounds, so I'm guessing that you're in Britain. I don't know if Emotiva ships overseas, but here in the U.S., that amp costs $700. I've seen it on sale for $630 (10% off) twice since July, though.

As you're asking about amps, I'm sure that you'll get plenty of responses here.

Adam

 

[stripey22]

Hey Adam. Thanks for the reply!

EDIT... ahh i posted a image but it wouldnt let me, i need more posts!

So this one right?

It looks incredible but, sorry to sound stupid.... but it has no "nobs" on it. I mean my old amplifier had several switches etc to adjust Volume, bass, treble etc etc.

Or does this come with a remote?

looks like i may be getting it though.

I must mention at this point.... i read it has 200 wats.... im more interested in "quality, rather then quantity". id much rather have a pure system with great clarity then a bassy system. (plus my flat mates would kill me!) if its to bassy that is!

 

[Seth=L]

Hey Adam. Thanks for the reply!

EDIT... ahh i posted a image but it wouldnt let me, i need more posts!

So this one right?

It looks incredible but, sorry to sound stupid.... but it has no "nobs" on it. I mean my old amplifier had several switches etc to adjust Volume, bass, treble etc etc.

Or does this come with a remote?

looks like i may be getting it though.

I must mention at this point.... i read it has 200 wats.... im more interested in "quality, rather then quantity". id much rather have a pure system with great clarity then a bassy system. (plus my flat mates would kill me!) if its to bassy that is!

You are looking for an integrated amplifier, not a power amplifier. Seperates could be a viable option depending on your budget. NAD, Cambridge, Teac all have some reasonably priced integrated amplifiers that have solid build quality and SQ. Now the Emotiva is an internet only deal, hence it has lower price. You could get the pre/amp that goes with that amplifier and it would be a formideable combo. The pre/amp that goes with it has a remote (it is made of metal and is quite cool) the price for the set is $1299.99 USD plus shipping.

 

[Seth=L]

I re-read your first post, I see your budget limit would come to around $1000 USD so maybe the Emotiva combo is out of reach, as the shipping will be quite high.

 

[Adam]

I mean my old amplifier had several switches etc to adjust Volume, bass, treble etc etc.

You are looking for an integrated amplifier, not a power amplifier.

Hey again, Charlotte. Seth=L nailed it. You're looking for an integrated amplifier, or perhaps a receiver. The Emotiva RPA-1 won't do that stuff for you. If you're looking to get something that lets you switch between different inputs (CD, DVD, etc.) and has a built in radio tuner, then you're looking for a receiver (or perhaps separates like Seth=L mentioned).

There are a lot of good receivers in that price range. I'm a fan of Onkyo, and others here may recommend different brands. One that has gotten a lot of good reviews is the Onkyo 805, but that may have far more home theater processing than you're looking to get. The Onkyo 505 is a good unit and is much less expensive, as are the 605 and 705. Perhaps you can tell that I'm more familiar with the surround sound receivers than the stereo-only versions. I don't know which stereo-only receivers are a good choice.

Does that help? Let us know what other questions you might have.

Adam

 

[stripey22]

Ahhh thanks for the speedy responses guys.

I hope you dont think im lazy asking a forum, you may think i could just google it but i find it hard decyphering all the information out there and it is nice hearing from the experts! Plus i would like to become a regular on this forum.

Ok well, i have looked at the Emotiva range and like you said adam, it wont do what i want it to do....

- i should have mentioned in my first post that i do already have seperates. I have a cambridge audio dab radio and a sony Cd player. I also need a "aux" (sp?) so i can plug my ipod in and listen to my podcasts (via a lead i have.. red+white and has a phono on the end).

I also looked at some of the Onkyo you mentioned and they seem to be, well, mini hi-fi sort of things. I was looking for more of an amplifier as i already have the seperates.

Seith, i think you definently nailed it with the "intergrated" amp and NOT a power amp.


OK! so

an amplifier.... that has great, clear and crisp sound that will give good volume but not a "power" machine and under 500!

I mean it would be nice if it was UNDER £500 as the remaining money could go towards the "speaker fund" but i would have no problem paying the full £500 if the amp really did produce great quality sound.


Bare in mind i am pretty new to all this so forgive me if i say stupid things


im just looking to build a great system that will last me and will make my friends jelous... but more importantly... great sound i can just get "lost" in.

 

[Adam]

Charlotte, I stopped being lazy and finally looked up your old amp on the internet. Based on the inputs and power of that amp, you might want to check out the Onkyo TX8222 or TX8522. Other than the fact that the Onkyos have a built-in tuner, they should be very similar to your old amp. Yamaha also makes a stereo receiver in about the same price range.

 

[fmw]

The stereo receivers from the major Japanese manufacturers are all excellent and of high quality. In fact, they represent an incredible value in my opinion. I recently replaced the amplification in my 2 channel system with a TEAC receiver that cost me $200 on Ebay brand new. It includes a phono input (the reason I bought it) and an FM tuner. The FM tuner is one of the best I've ever encountred. The unit has 100 watts per channel and sounds terrific. Build quality is excellent. That's an example. There are many examples from Japanese companies like Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon, Sony etc. etc.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Seith, i think you definently nailed it with the "intergrated" amp and NOT a power amp.

I say you get a great receiver like the $900 Onkyo TX-SR805. It will sound just as good as any INTEGRATED amplifier in this price range. It does have a Pure Direct Mode & a great DAC, which will be great for 2-ch stereo music listening. This receiver will do it all--music & movies.

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[Davemcc]

You could just upgrade the Cambridge and get an Azur 640a (version 2). It will fit into your system exactly like the old one and be a little more powerful. Plus, it only costs +/- 300 GBP. Putting the savings into the speaker fund is likely a much better use of the funds.

 

[Seth=L]

You could just upgrade the Cambridge and get an Azur 640a (version 2). It will fit into your system exactly like the old one and be a little more powerful. Plus, it only costs +/- 300 GBP. Putting the savings into the speaker fund is likely a much better use of the funds.

I second this recommendation.

To the OP. Any input outside of Phono on any receiver or integrated amplifier will accept input from an iPod if you have the appropriate adapter, which you mentioned.

 

[stripey22]

Hey guys sorry for not replying for AGES but i decided to buy the Azur 640A in the end.

Just like to thank all you guys for helping me out it was MUCHHHHHHHHHHHH appreciated.. cheers

 

[Seth=L]

Hey guys sorry for not replying for AGES but i decided to buy the Azur 640A in the end.

Just like to thank all you guys for helping me out it was MUCHHHHHHHHHHHH appreciated.. cheers

I hope it is working nicely for you.

 

[Davemcc]

Hey guys sorry for not replying for AGES but i decided to buy the Azur 640A in the end.

Just like to thank all you guys for helping me out it was MUCHHHHHHHHHHHH appreciated.. cheers

Nice choice. Don't forget to come back and let us know how your speaker upgrade is going. That is where you will get the most improvement in your sound quality.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Nice choice. Don't forget to come back and let us know how your speaker upgrade is going. That is where you will get the most improvement in your sound quality.

Yeah, let us know how those quad-amp Bang & Olufsen BeoLab5 speakers sound.