Good Int amp for $650 or less

[chicomoralessxm]

Well the PMA is more about performance and the companents from what i'm reading its excellently built it might be "only" but evidently its built like a tank 40+ pounds. Wow!!!!

Looks guys I need your help. I was looking at getting today a budget 2channel receiver (need a tunner) I was ordering hk3480 problem is my contact in the states is charging well $370+ plus shipping to get it here. I can get the rxv659 spoked highly of both here and elsewhere for $380 locally. Which i'm not really going need all its features. Since I really listen only to 2channel cd's for music. Since I wanna save for nice int. amp. For my living room but need something like now.

Hear are my options
1) get the yamaha rx-797
2) get the denon dra-697
3) get the hk3380 which I can get off amazon lol

I need to decide asap since I also wanna order my bookshelves this week.
I have aloted $500 for those plus shipping. any final thoughts on that guys PSB B25 or paradigm titan or mini monitor v5???

 

[zumbo]

Well the PMA is more about performance and the companents from what i'm reading its excellently built it might be "only" but evidently its built like a tank 40+ pounds. Wow!!!!

Good catch. I noticed it doubles it's power for 4ohm. Yamaha doesn't. So, it definitely has a better amp section.

Looks guys I need your help. I was looking at getting today a budget 2channel receiver (need a tunner) I was ordering hk3480 problem is my contact in the states is charging well $370+ plus shipping to get it here. I can get the rxv659 spoked highly of both here and elsewhere for $380 locally. Which i'm not really going need all its features. Since I really listen only to 2channel cd's for music. Since I wanna save for nice int. amp. For my living room but need something like now.

Hear are my options
1) get the yamaha rx-797
2) get the denon dra-697
3) get the hk3380 which I can get off amazon lol

I would say the Denon or the Yamaha. Which ever one you can get the best deal on. Both 20lbs.

I need to decide asap since I also wanna order my bookshelves this week.
I have aloted $500 for those plus shipping. any final thoughts on that guys PSB B25 or paradigm titan or mini monitor v5???

http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/product.php?range=8&product=56

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Good catch. I noticed it doubles it's power for 4ohm. Yamaha doesn't. So, it definitely has a better amp section.

I would say the Denon or the Yamaha. Which ever one you can get the best deal on. Both 20lbs.

http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/product.php?range=8&product=56

Well monitor audio is kinda out since i also have locate a dealor and that is a little too much hassle but thanks for the suggustion. its between those 2 evils shall we saw was also looking at the energy rc-10 but thats another dealor again.

 

[j_garcia]

My Marantz "only" puts out 25w in class A mode Let me tell you, it is plenty of power.

I would say the Denon or the higher Yamaha.

 

[Seth=L]

The Denon weighs 52 pounds, good Lord.

 

[anamorphic96]

Recently I have used a bunch of different speakers and have settled on the PSB Image B25. This was after owning the B&W 602S3's for a month. The PSB's have a wonderful sound that is very neutral to my ears. I'm using these with a NAD C352 integrated amp that retails for 599.00 and they mate very well together. You could get both of these items for less than a thousand if you look around on line.

Try dmcelectronics.com for some great deals. Talk to David. He's very easy to deal with and offers great deals.

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Recently I have used a bunch of different speakers and have settled on the PSB Image B25. This was after owning the B&W 602S3's for a month. The PSB's have a wonderful sound that is very neutral to my ears. I'm using these with a NAD C352 integrated amp that retails for 599.00 and they mate very well together. You could get both of these items for less than a thousand if you look around on line.

Try dmcelectronics.com for some great deals. Talk to David. He's very easy to deal with and offers great deals.

Actually i'm leaning toward the PSB myself out of these 2 the yamaha and denon models which would be better paired with the psbb25 as opposed the titan v5

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Just another thought no would even consider the hk3380 is it that bad???

 

[anamorphic96]

The HK3380 would be nice, but not my first choice. Might want to see if you can find the NAD C320BEE on closeout some place. I have seen some for around 250.

NAD and PSB work very well together.

 

[chicomoralessxm]

nadc320bee is nice even the newer model but one prob need tuner so I can spend an extra 200 to get lets say the nad720 receiver was considering it. So i'm open to further suggustions on budget receivers for now the hk3480 rx-797 outlaw is a little above my range for now. I'm wondering how or what to pair with paradigm titan monitors or the psb if i get those???

 

[garthr]

If you really want a cut above what you're using, you're going to need to spend alot more than $650. I have a HK3480 and an Outlaw RR2150, they sound very similar, yet the Outlaw is made better with better components and has no electrical background noise, which alot of HK's have(I tried 4 of them). The 3480 was torture with headphones. The Outlaw is very quiet, and for me was worth every penny above the cost of the HK for that reason alone.

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Thanks garht for your thoughts. The 650 i was planning on spending was for a int amp not a receiver. But right now i was looking at affordable option till i have the extra cash to dish out on int amp at the end of the year. Right i need a receiver cause of the tuner. So I was looking at the hk3480 maybe even the 3380 minus the 40w. Both zumba and jgarica gave so good tips on both the denon and yamaha alternatives. If i had the extra cash for a receiver i'd for sure get the nadc720bee over the hk.

My main issue is determining which would be the better pairing with either the psb b25 or the titan monitor v5 that i plan to get. By the end of the year prob i could look at a nice int amp even tubes maybe an arcam a65, rotel ra-1062 or music hall a25.2

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Ok thoughts needed its down to the denon dra397 or the hk 3380 which i can get off amazon. I'm look for clean sound (for the price) will add a sub later, oh prob like 90% i'm going to get the para titan v5. pro and cons of either?

Also guys i have to get a dvd player the oppo970 my first choice seems back ordered everywhere. so as a cheap alternative . Samsung DVD-HD860 is the a good idea using with a prehistoric sharp tv lol analog inputs of course.

 

[garthr]

This is my opinion only, but I found a Denon DRA-395, which is basically the same thing, to be quite anemic sounding. There was no bass, and the bass control added little. The "loudness" button overcolored the sound to make it almost muddy. Voices and treble sounded harsh . Overall .... pure unenjoyment for my ears. BTW, the Denon is not discounted, at least from authorized dealers. If you find one less than about $370, it's likely not from an authorized dealer and you'll have NO warranty. Denon does not warranty sales from non dealers.I know of someone who bought one from an unauthorized dealer, it failed within a year, and Denon would not touch it without a large fee. He lost out big time.

The HK sound is much smoother and has some decent bass at least. Enjoyable .... as long as you don't use headphones that is. Quality is questionable though.

I guess I am a bit confused by your post though, because I thought you had a HK3480.

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??

The Music Hall is probably quite good, if you don't mind no tone controls.
The difference between a MH and Denon would be quite large. In the long run, you're better off saving for what you really want , vs. buying something that you'll want to change. Selling your lower end goods does not offer much payback, and the money spent is lost when it could have been used to get what you wanted in the first place. You're better off trying to get a better used unit from Audiogon if funds are tight. The selection is better than epray and the sellers are usually better.

With a good amp and modest speakers, you can get by without a sub for excellent 2 channel stereo. Use the money for the sub to get a better amp and speakers and you'll be happier in the long run.... unless you're a basshead .... then the whole discussion here is meaninless.

I see there's a Music Hall 25.2 on audiogon.com now for $350.

-cheers

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Looks guys I need your help. I was looking at getting today a budget 2channel receiver (need a tunner) I was ordering hk3480 problem is my contact in the states is charging well $370+ plus shipping to get it here

So thats was my slight prob garth, hence after doing some research checking some price the i narrowed it down to the denon dra397 and hk 3380 which is the same as the 3480 minus the 40w. Ideally yes i would wait and prob save and get the hmmm either some this nice but the int amp that have recently cause my I and ear that a friend had include the arcam, rotel and my favorite the CA. So will get a something i can enjoy for now till i save alittle extra... for those.