2 channel integrated amp with phono-in

[gleonard]

Okay, without breaking the bank I want to replace my father-in-laws broken Kenwood integrated amp ?? receiver?? for his 2-channel stereo system for Christmas.

It is a very basic system - Teac phono, Technics 5 disk CD player, Technics dual tape player and AM/FM receiver - and the Kenwood amp. This (I think it is an integrated amp) has a slider style volume control that no longer slides or accurately controls volume - so my father-in-law now (and for the past 3 years has had) 2 volume settings - really loud and clear or less loud and crackly. Don't know what the speakers are other than the are floorstanding, large and wooden (and about 20 years old - his speakers prior to this were B&W's - these sound excellent so are probably decent- but have no markings)

Is there anything out there with a phono input? He spends about 50% of his music time listening to old vinyl (Rory Gallagher, Brian Ferry, Dr. John, Pink Floyd etc . . .)? I have seen the TEAC AG-790 (for 249) but this would give him two things that play the radio and apparently H/K has one for around $450 with phono-in that might do but is more than I want to spend.

Since he plans on laying some money out for a downstairs HT in the near future I just want a band-aid "volume knob (not slider)" equipped w-channel phono-in amp that will provide more than two volume options.

Ideas?

Cheers
Gleonard

 

[Swerd]

Okay, without breaking the bank I want to replace my father-in-laws broken Kenwood integrated amp ?? receiver?? for his 2-channel stereo system for Christmas.

I recently faced a similar question. I wanted to give my daughter a stereo for a graduation present. I am building the speakers from a DIY kit. For an amp or receiver, the choice was between a cheap home theater receiver or a 2-channel stereo receiver. The only integrated 2-channel amplifiers I found are aimed at the audiophile market and are priced much higher.

I ended up buying an Onkyo TX-8211. It is a 50 watt/channel stereo receiver with AM/FM tuner and inputs for CD player, 2 tape recorders, and a phonograph. Onkyo offers a similar model, TX-8511 with 100 watts for more $. I now have the 50 watt model. lt has plenty of power and I think it is fine. http://www.onkyousa.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Receiver

I ordered it from J&R Music World for $175 and had no problems with their service. http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Code=ONK+TX8211&JRSource=PriceGrabber.datafeed.ONK+TX8211

Denon also has an apparently similar model, the DRA-295, for nearly the same price. I ended up choosing the Onkyo because its front panel and remote control looked simpler and perhaps easier to operate.

 

[gleonard]

Thanks Swerd

I appreciate the direction - I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I am more likely to get a receiver in this price range (i.e. with the AM/FM feature) than an integrated AMP.

I currently have a ROTEL 1062 which would work great, but the $$$ doesn't fit.

I guess it wouldn't be a big deal to have two AM/FM options . . .

 

[Swerd]

I guess it wouldn't be a big deal to have two AM/FM options. . .

Maybe your father-in-law might like having a remote-controlled FM tuner in the new receiver.

One other point, you mentioned the Teac AG-790 in your first post. I found that model for a very cheap price of $130. I avoided it because its power rating of 100 watts/channel seemed too good to be true. No conditions were stated. The Onkyo was rated at 50 watts x 2 (stereo) into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD. For $45 more I went with the sure thing.

 

[aarond]

h/k 3380 2 x 80
h/k 3480 2 x 120
i got my 34080 from bh photo for $270.00 + $37.00 ups 3day ny to ca

 

[newbob]

believe it or not....the Harman Kardon 3480....was just reviewed in stereophile magazine....last issue. That says a lot.
Check out J&R music world. Cheap prices on HK and free shipping.
A bargain.

bob

 

[gleonard]

in Canada

Thanks Newbob.

I'll try and find a similar deal in Canada - Bought myself an H/K AVR 135 from Visions for CDN$565 (everyone else was $699) - will see if they carry the 3480 as well.

Still a bit more than I wanted to spend, but I suppose he could use it as a starting point to build the rest of the system around - I'm not sure for how much longer his TEAC dual cassette AM/FM receiver combo thing will be useful.



Cheers
Gleonard