Integrated Amp

[Shizdan]

My Nad 3020 Died. I need a integrated amplifier for my system that goes like this.

Computer Soundcard -->Integrated Amp

Speakers are Energy C-50

System Type Bass Reflex, Rear Vented
Frequency Response 65Hz-20kHz +/- 3 dB
Nominal Impedence 8 ohms; Minimum Impedance: 4 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power up to 100 watts
Components Chambered 1" Aluminum Dome, 4-1/2" Composite Fiberglas cone
Useable Bass Response (-10db Anechoic) 60 Hz
Sensitivity (anechoic) 85dB
Sensitivity (2 speakers in a typical room) 88dB
Crossover Point 2.9kHz

Sub is Energy ESW-8

System Type Bass Reflex with Front Firing Port
Frequency Response 3Hz-150Hz +/- 3dB
Amplifier Power Output 200 Watts
Woofer 8” (20 cm) MPP Cone with Patented Ribbed Elliptical Surround
Variable Low Pass Filter 40Hz-150Hz @ 18dB/octave
Variable Phase Control 0°, 180°
Power Mode Switch On/Auto/Off
Inputs Line In/Sub In & Speaker Level In

Budget is $300 MAX used or new. (Hopefully used to save some cash). I was thinking maybe the Pioneer A-35R for $200 Shipped?

 

[rnatalli]

Why not a new NAD? Cambridge Audio also makes nice integrated amps.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NAC325BEE
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA540AV2

 

[Adam]

How many speakers are you running, and what type of connection are you going to use between the sound card and the amp?

 

[Shizdan]

How many speakers are you running, and what type of connection are you going to use between the sound card and the amp?

I'll be running 2 Speakers and a swubwoofer connected through either RCA Analog or digital (Probaly not because I don't think integrated amplifiers accept it)

 

[Shizdan]

How many speakers are you running, and what type of connection are you going to use between the sound card and the amp?

Are they better than my old nad 3020?

 

[jostenmeat]

Why not a new NAD? Cambridge Audio also makes nice integrated amps.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NAC325BEE
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA540AV2

Wow, nice deal on that Cambridge.

I'll be running 2 Speakers and a swubwoofer connected through either RCA Analog or digital (Probaly not because I don't think integrated amplifiers accept it)

I would consider a few things. Firstly, I'd opt to use the sub's bass mgmt, if it has it has hi-level input/output. The link says hi level input... but nothing about output... (you know, applying xover, then sending hi pass to speakers...).

Then, Id find out what died in the NAD. If its just the amp section.... at the risk of giving you bad advice... you could use its pre/pro section to feed a cheap pro amp. I'd make sure with others if that's OK.

Otherwise, without knowing any better, I'd bet those linked integrateds by rnatalli are as good as the 3020, if not better. OTOH, NADs entry level integrateds aren't anything to write home about; they start to take off with their heavier outboard amps...

 

[Shizdan]

Wow, nice deal on that Cambridge.



I would consider a few things. Firstly, I'd opt to use the sub's bass mgmt, if it has it has hi-level input/output. The link says hi level input... but nothing about output... (you know, applying xover, then sending hi pass to speakers...).

Then, Id find out what died in the NAD. If its just the amp section.... at the risk of giving you bad advice... you could use its pre/pro section to feed a cheap pro amp. I'd make sure with others if that's OK.

Otherwise, without knowing any better, I'd bet those linked integrateds by rnatalli are as good as the 3020, if not better. OTOH, NADs entry level integrateds aren't anything to write home about; they start to take off with their heavier outboard amps...

would I be better off with a receiver?

 

[highfigh]

would I be better off with a receiver?

Depends on several things- budget, whether you plan to expand its use later, room size/speaker sensitivity, need for digital inputs and needed power. For $299, that's a pretty nice amp, though. If you really want something that gets up and goes, it's a bit light on continuous power but the 110W/ch peak power matters. Also, a receiver will have more controllability of sources, signal and levels.

 

[Shizdan]

Depends on several things- budget, whether you plan to expand its use later, room size/speaker sensitivity, need for digital inputs and needed power. For $299, that's a pretty nice amp, though. If you really want something that gets up and goes, it's a bit light on continuous power but the 110W/ch peak power matters. Also, a receiver will have more controllability of sources, signal and levels.

-The room size is about 12 wide and 20 feet long
-I will most likely just keep it at 2.1.
-Digital is a a nice plus but I wouldn't die without it
-I wouldn't need a FM/AM tuner or anything like that

 

[davidtwotrees]

From what I've seen, most entry level integrateds don't offer a digital connection......I guess they don't have onboard dacs???
I own the Pioneer A35R you mentioned in my bedroom setup. We had a user's review thread here but I couldn't find it(where did it go?). For the price it is a world beater. I got mine for $95, delivered, used off of ebay. I'm running it 2.1 through a sub set up. It has plenty of gas, looks sharp, has plenty of features and amazing build quality at this price point. The only beef with the unit is it can't be turned off with the remote...........
Newer receivers at this price point are cheesey, imho.

 

[bandphan]

From what I've seen, most entry level integrateds don't offer a digital connection......I guess they don't have onboard dacs???
I own the Pioneer A35R you mentioned in my bedroom setup. We had a user's review thread here but I couldn't find it(where did it go?). For the price it is a world beater. I got mine for $95, delivered, used off of ebay. I'm running it 2.1 through a sub set up. It has plenty of gas, looks sharp, has plenty of features and amazing build quality at this price point. The only beef with the unit is it can't be turned off with the remote...........
Newer receivers at this price point are cheesey, imho.

here you go david

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40031&highlight=pioneer

solid little unit

and for a real bang for the buck unit

http://tweakcityaudio.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=18&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1