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Advice on Budget System?

I'm currently running my music through a Toshiba DVD player and a low-end Marantz (5500) AV Receiver. But I've become convinced by these forums that I can put together a decent music system for less than $1000 (not including speakers), so I'm ready to take the plunge. I currently have a pair of VonSchweikert VR1s, and I plan to upgrade to VR2s next year. But first, I'd like to get some decent electronics.

I've pretty much settled on a Cambridge Audio CD player for the source (either 540C or 640c). For an integrated amp (I never listen to the radio), I'm looking at these choices right now:
Cambridge Audio Azur 640A
NAD C32
Music Hall A25

Any thoughts on these or other choices in the same price range? Will either give me a noticeable improvement over my current setup? Will they make these VR1s sing, and provide enough power for the full-range VR2s?

Am I at least asking the right questions? :-)
rhetoricman
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,758 posts
 
I would concur about the Audio Refinement Complete. It's exceptionally good for the money and better built than the others you listed. I've owned the Music Hall CD25 player and it was a wonderful piece of gear but don't have any experience with their amp.

I recently bought a used Creek 4330R for a friend's system and can highly recommend it or anything else from Creek, as well.

I did own a Cambridge Audio 540A integrated and while it sounded pretty good, it was not in the same class as either the Audio Refinement or the Creek. I would buy one of the latest Rotel integrateds before I would buy another Cambridge. All the ones you're considering and that have been suggested should work fine.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I owned the VR-1s powered by the Audio Refinement Complete two years ago and thought they worked very well together in a small room. Not sure how well the 50 watts would sound with the VR-2s. Good luck and check back in after you put the system together.
rhetoricman OP
2 posts
 
Thanks, everyone, for your helpful responses. After reading your posts, I was very, very tempted to snag one of the Audio Refinements for sale on this website, but I decided to go with the NAD for a bit more power. Not only will this amp be driving full-range speakers (not now, but soon, I hope), but I tend to play music a bit loud so I can listen to it as I move around the house.

Not sure if that was the right decision, but no one outright dissed the NAD, and I got a terrific deal on a new one. So I should be able to resell it at a very small loss if I end up with buyer's remorse.

I realized that I had to make a decision quickly, because once I decided to make a purchase, I was not going to stop obsessing over it and get any work done until I made a decision. Anyone else ever have that problem?
bignerd100
515 posts
 
The Complete is much more powerful than the 320BEE.
Regardless of stated output the Complete is very beefy.
The NAD is very good though and I think it will work well for you.

Good luck!
markphd
667 posts
 
All of the amps which you are considering, and which other posters have suggested, seem like good prospects. I would suggest you listen to as many as you can. Speaking for myself, I once purchased a small integrated amp. I auditioned a number of readily available amps, including Rotel, Arcam, and NAD. I was just entering the audiophile world at that time and I was surprised at how different they sounded. I ended up purchasing a Creek. It sounded the best to me from among the ones I auditioned.
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