Good Int amp for $650 or less

[chicomoralessxm]

Ok just building my basic 2 channel setup will be up-grading hopefully year end any suggustions for solid int amp??? was looking at the music hall 25.2a. Anybody heard anything good or bad about this piece of equipment??? Or can reccomend anything else?? Preferably something new in that price range

 

[flyboylr45]

You could try a Cambridge Audio Azur integrated. I heard it with some Vienna Acoustic speakers and it ws pretty good. If you don't mind a used ( 3 year old) one, I am selling a Musical Fidelity A3.2 integrated. It is awsome. I am selling it because I am going to buy a multichannel amp.

 

[zumbo]

Yamaha AX-497

120W x 2 @4ohm
85W x 2 @8ohm

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200108&CTID=5002300

specs.
http://www.yamaha-online.de/index.php?lang=e&country=DE&idcat1=2

 

[j_garcia]

Outlaw Audio RR-2150.

 

[wire]

Ok just building my basic 2 channel setup will be up-grading hopefully year end any suggustions for solid int amp??? was looking at the music hall 25.2a. Anybody heard anything good or bad about this piece of equipment??? Or can reccomend anything else?? Preferably something new in that price range

Try this

Audiogone , look up Onix SP3 .
There are 2 sitting there for under $600.00 one for 500.00 .
Tubes Amps will pleasently surprise you over SS . This one surprised me .

 

[chicomoralessxm]

outlaw hmmm?? i was considering them. But went with the hk3480 instead. Was looking for something a little step about them sound quality wise. By the someone mention CA which model??? 640a??

No fans of rotel or music hall here??

 

[zumbo]

outlaw hmmm?? i was considering them. But went with the hk3480 instead. Was looking for something a little step about them sound quality wise. By the someone mention CA which model??? 640a??

No fans of rotel or music hall here??

Rotel 1062 is only 60W x 2.(700.00)
music hall 25.2 is only 50W x 2.(599.00)

Yamaha 497 is 85W x2.(449.95)

Not that you could hear much difference. Might, might not. I would have to choose the Yamaha. Not to mention the lower cost.

 

[j_garcia]

Choosing an integrated based on power is a mistake, IMO. No offense, but Yamaha would be on the bottom of my list of those mentioned here.

I have heard the CA 640A and it sounds just fine. It didn't sound any better than my Marantz PM7200 to my ears though. I went to listen to it thinking I would replace the PM7200 and ended up sticking with it.

Another you might look at is an Arcam A65, which might be above your budget, but it sounds great.

 

[zumbo]

Choosing an integrated based on power is a mistake, IMO. No offense, but Yamaha would be on the bottom of my list of those mentioned here.

I agree. It's more of a cost issue to me. As I mentioned, one may, or may not notice a difference in sound. For the money, I believe the Yamaha would be a mighty contender.

Also, why would the Yamaha be on the bottom of your list? Have you used the unit in question? Or, you just feel Yamaha is low-end because they offer a larger selection of equipment? No offense meant.

 

[j_garcia]

I havent' listened to those in particular, but I've listened to plenty of Yamaha gear, high end and low end, and they haven't appealed to me musically. I feel that they tend to lean toward a flatter sound that may be musical to some, but not to me. The receivers are great for HT, and in fact, I find that their lower cost receivers are actually quite good for the money. For music, I am listening for something that gives me a little more though.

Rotel, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, B&K, are all a cut above. Marantz, H/K, Cambridge, NAD are all affordable yet musical to me.

 

[zumbo]

Rotel, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, B&K, are all a cut above.

I agree. And, they are all a cost above as well.

Musical Fidelity is in a class of it's own IMO. Superb.

Marantz, H/K, Cambridge, NAD are all affordable yet musical to me.

On this note, I get a better understanding. I lean more towards the Yamaha sound.

I havent' listened to those in particular, but I've listened to plenty of Yamaha gear, high end and low end, and they haven't appealed to me musically. I feel that they tend to lean toward a flatter sound that may be musical to some, but not to me.

I also prefer the sound of B&W. Very flat as well.

 

[Seth=L]

I agree. And, they are all a cost above as well.

Musical Fidelity is in a class of it's own IMO. Superb.



On this note, I get a better understanding. I lean more towards the Yamaha sound.

I like my Yamaha, if I was to get any Yammy stereo receivers it would have to be a real nice one.

 

[wire]

I like my Yamaha, if I was to get any Yammy stereo receivers it would have to be a real nice one.

A step higher than SS is Tube , my SP3 is quite impressive musically and great used pricing on them ( and its low end tube gear ) .
I would not even consider a mass produced reciever for music ( just spoiled over the years ) .

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Has anyone hear heard anything about a company called emotiva?? Just stumbled on it some suggusted it. Never really heard of them before.

I've owned yammie before lower end receiver i believe. Never had a prob with the sound. Some say they are well bright, considering i ha it paired with some klipsch towers well you can't get brighter than that lol. what about the denon line are their worth looking into???

 

[j_garcia]

Look for reviews of emotiva stuff here. Well regarded.

Denon's got a really nice integrated on the market right now.

Marantz has the PM7001.

 

[Haoleb]

The NAD C370 and C372 are both in your pricerange, and well reviewed units. You'll be able to get the 370 for around 350-400 used because it is the older model. There are quite a few good choices in the $1000 and less price-range so buying used will open up your choices quite a bit.

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Look for reviews of emotiva stuff here. Well regarded.

Denon's got a really nice integrated on the market right now.

Marantz has the PM7001.

which denon's are you refering to?? dra697ci???

 

[chicomoralessxm]

The NAD C370 and C372 are both in your pricerange, and well reviewed units. You'll be able to get the 370 for around 350-400 used because it is the older model. There are quite a few good choices in the $1000 and less price-range so buying used will open up your choices quite a bit.

Nad is definately underconsiderable. But i have a leaning toward CA simply the have sweeter looks and are around the same price range.

Emotiva seems to spoken well on here but can't see much on some of there other models not mentioned here. Not sure of their build quality either??

 

[j_garcia]

which denon's are you refering to?? dra697ci???

No, that is a stereo receiver. I was referring to the PMA2000IVR: http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/553.asp A little above your price range though. Probably streets for around $900-$1K

 

[zumbo]

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=30466

Yamaha has equal power for about 1/3 of the cost. Go figure.