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Amp Suggestions For A Newbie - Please

I am upgrading my system. New to components. Live in an apartment house. Listening space is relatively small. Considering either B&W 602s or Paradigm V20s. Very much into jazz and classical (acoustic). Wish to achieve good clarity, distinction and presence with my new system. A depth to the music. Looking for the strongest amp candidates for the abovementioned speakers. Obviously lots of power is not a requirement just quality and character of sound. Either New or Used Amp suggestions are fine. Budget: $500/$600. (If you feel I would get equivalent results from an integrated Amp, let me know that, too. Appreciate both your time, input and thoughts.
fullrun
meby
46 posts
 
Fullrun,
In your price range a used Audio Refinement Complete is very nice. The price maybe to high but a used Audio Analogue Puccini is also sweet. NAD is also decent but tends to be a little forward to my ears. If you do not want used you may also want to audition a Jolida tubed or hybrid integrated.
audiophile35
23 posts
 
Cambridge Audio from England makes a great integrated amp A500 which carries a Stereophile Class C rating. It retails for $450. You can pick up a dempo from Audio Advisor for $339
cbinkleye862
4 posts
 
I prefer the Paradigms over the B&Ws, but I'm buying the 602 S3s because I can get them new in Europe while on vacation next month for get this, $452! The slight difference between the Paradigms and the B&Ws simply isn't worth $200 to me. Check out this link: http://www.hifissimo.com/store/search.cgi?user_id=&database=base.db&template=liste.tpml&2_option=2&2=b%20et%20w&output_number=4

And that's before you get the taxes back (should be around 10% I forget the the exact rate of the VAT.) The Paradigms have a clearer high end, pure more, really noticable on cymbals. If you listen to jazz, buy those.

As for amps, I really didn't like the Cambridge A500 - I listened to it for about one minute before moving on to NAD. Sounded no different than a good receiver to me, and I wanted more fidelity.

It really depends on the budget - if you have no budget, go for NAD. If you can go to $700, the Rotel 1060 is clearer and has lower distortion levels. If you go to $800-900, you have a pick of excellent sounding pieces like the Arcam 750 (incredible soundstage - what I'm probably going to get,) the Rega Mira...Note I am noting low-wattage amps because you really don't need the power for the 602s or the Paradigms, they're pretty sensitive.
soix
9,456 posts
 
Given your preferences in music and sound characteristics you should consider looking at Triangle speakers. The Zephyr IIs may be a bit more expensive than the B&Ws or Paradigms, but a much better and more refined speaker overall in my opinion. And the bonus, they're extremely efficient so you can pair them with flea-powered amps and still get a ton o' sound.

I'd look at Cambridge and Creek integrateds. Best of luck.

Tim
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