Best bang for buck integrated amp for $500

And one other thing Johnny I never said I wasn't buying it from you just didn't have the money available on my card at the time still unsure really of what amp I want but the io is definitely in the top running thanks again.

Thank you for the phone call today Johnny I appreciate it I appreciate your insights into the io everybody's got an opinion you seem very enthusiastic about it some people aren't so enthusiastic so some people are going to love some amp some people ain't going to love them.

Yeah maybe the guy on eBay doesn't know what he's talking about then again maybe he does like I said everybody's got an opinion that's what makes the world go round.

Yeah I'll probably have to scrape some more money together before I can make a purchase thanks again.

Audio Mike,
You are about to blow it .I truly don’t care if you buy one from us.
We have matched it with Proacs, Vandersteens,1CI, VLRs and VLR CTs absolutely fantastik
What if the fellow that told you the Rega IO is only a good amp doesn't know a great amp if it bites him in the ass?
You have an 2 way easy drive pair of speakers and this amps is well more sophisticated then the above or what most really know in your application and beyond.
I would jump on the E bay deal if you can scrape up the funds Best Johnny R

NAD 356BE looks nice.

NAD 356BE???

He told me oh I'm not trying to sell you nothing I just love this amp but then he's asking me for a $50 deposit.  There's somebody selling one on eBay for $450 and it's been there quite a while nobody's even buying it and they all goes for $600 the guy that's selling on eBay just says nobody wants them in his shop don't know what to think.

So I spoke to John over at audio connection in New Jersey somebody here recommended that guy loves the io said it destroys the Brio and he said 30 Watts for my situation is plenty he said this thing is a little gem the IO now he's got me rethinking I may go with the io.

The nice thing about buying used is that you can try it and sell it if you don’t like it for little or no cost. 
Last time I went down this road I bought 4 amps (over about 6 months) and sold 3. 

Check out previous listing prices on hifi shark to determine fair market value. 

Okay because there's one on eBay the io for $450 and I spoke with the guy he owns a stereo store and he told me it's a decent amp it's not a kick-ass amp he says it's good but it's not great.

Opinions are going to probably vary from shop to shop to me the io just seemed a little on the underpowered side.

They are not the amp but you should listen for yourself. If that isn’t possible call John Rutan to have him explain the difference. Good Luck!

Aren't the io and the Brio the same amp just less power is there that much sound difference? I'll have to take a look into that.

Would highly recommend the Music Hall 15.3a.  Here's a review of it: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/system-one/1530-high-value-surprise-the-music-hall-a15-3-in...  

It's a fantastic integrated - I had it in a simple system, but I tried it out in my main system.  I was amazed by the sound quality - clear, fluid, with a touch of warmth.  It's $549 new, so not much over your budget, and they do come up used, so keep an eye out.  I liked it better than the Rega Brio.

That’s super interesting @joey54 can you elaborate?

IMHO the Rega IO is a much better sounding amp than the Brio. It punches way above its price point. You should touch base with JohnnyR at the Audio Connection

Brio is Class AB vs Sprout Class D. I would bet on the Brio for that reason alone. I have heard the Brio a few years back in Memphis and was very impressed b the sound for the money. If I was in the market for a mid level integrated it would be one of the top 3. 

Well since I want a desktop solution and it's only between 2 amps the Rega Brio  and the PS audio sprout 100 and you can't get the sprout so the sprout is out I'm going with the Riga Brio and for $799.

I want to thank everybody for all your suggestions I'm sure there are loads of amps in here that are good that I'm missing but I can only choose one for now.

Just want to thank OP for starting this thread and those who have responded. 

As can happen in relationships, I can get in a rut. I am actually excited at the thought of changing my second system, or [gasp] changing up my main system. Marantz will always be a part of but not only.  Ummm... those speakers...and...

Feeling like I did when I started the journey all those years ago.

"..sound wise feature wise I wonder which one’s better."


Exactly...

Welcome brother. [grin]

I'm wondering how the Rega Brio compares to the sprout 100 I love to see those two go head to head. I know one has a hundred Watts one only has 50 but still sound wise feature wise I wonder which one's better.

Very hard to find the sprout 100 even on eBay I think they don't come in till August of 2021 I was considering it too.

Have been strongly considering the Sprout100. Unfortunately, not in stock new anywhere I can find. PSAudio site says back in stock Fall 2021.

I use a PSAudio Sprout100 in one of my systems and it kicks plenty ass. Great phono stage, DAC, plus Bluetooth. Super clean and powerful. New is $700.

Perhaps a garage sale!

Cant get much pretend it sounds good.

Yesterday I watched a Youtube review of a new SMSL Amp for $250.
50 wpc at 8ohms and nearly doubles down at 4 ohms. The reviewer is legit and gushed over it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfbEkky9Qsw

+1 Rega Brio based on actual user experience.

Rethinking Marantz replacement in second system.

That’s why I come here...

I think I'm going to probably end up getting a used Rega Brio, it just seems to tick all the buttons and I'm looking for and the bonus is it's got a good headphone amp in it which is a must for me so I don't have to buy a separate amp.

There are other ones that people have mentioned that I am interested in but without being able to demo and hear them I guess I just have to pick something and go for it.

Rega is a great great choice IMO. 

You could get a used Brio-R in your price range.  They are truly excellent. No headphone jack tho. If you're patient you could get the newer model Used for $650-$700.  It will be well worth it - something that can remain in your system for a long time.

I've used my Brio-R to drive many different speakers - since it's small its easy to bring over to someone's house if you're demoing used speakers - it has never disappointed or failed to drive anything.  I've had Marantz, Rotel, NAD, Yamaha amps all in that price range and the Rega always sounded best.  It's super fun and always projects the rhythm and emotion of the music in a way the others don't.

I've loved my Brio-R for 3+ years and recently upgraded to the Elicit-R after trying several other $1.5k-$4k amps - again the Rega was the clear choice.   And still using the Brio-R for my kitchen speakers.

Also you'll be surprised how heavy it is, especially for it's size!

IMO, you are going to want to stay far away from *any * pre-owned Marantz on ebay.  Marantz on ebay are NOT the ones you want.

With time comes experience.

Welcome to the journey.

Wow I don't even know where to begin I got so many suggestions.  I will say the marantz PM 606 does look pretty sick looking haven't heard the Moran sound in over 20 years.

I never knew choosing an amp would be this difficult.

If we’re talking bang for the buck, might I suggest Marantz? In my experience you either love the Marantz "house sound" or you don’t.

IMO, warm and well rounded. Has "direct" function that bypasses the Marantz tone controls. Marantz has always been conservative with stated power ratings. I have a pre-owned PM8006 from TMR rated at 70, review tested at 90. It’s been said if you want that "classic" British speaker sound, Marantz and Wharfedale.

Having said that...

IMO, you simply can’t go "wrong" with NAD new/used at any price point. Pre-owned NAD will be next on my second system rack replacing a Marantz PM5005.

[edited for clarity]

@audiomike

The Rega IO looks nice like the desktop idea, but 30 watts seem a bit weak.

I have a 20 Watt Quicksilver Integrated that will leave you slack jawed with it's sound. My modest office system is QS Integrated, Bluesond 2i Borderpatrol DAC and Klipsch RP600M's and it rocks!

Also, I had the Yamaha AS-301 and wasn't impressed with the phono stage in particular.  That range of amps is also quite large and can dominate a smaller space.

NAD 316beev2 on my desk with Elac DBR62, Rega P2/Exact2, Luxman DZ CD & T-102 tuner (with outdoor antenna), and Schitt Modi 3 connected to the PC.

The NAD is shallow (~ 9.5 inches) so it fits on the desk in spite of traditional 17" width.  Simple and sounds great with anything but speakers with too much treble emphasis, even the integrated phono stage, which is dead quiet.  I love having a button for each source rather than searching for a source by clicking or spinning a dial through.  I think the build quality is better than the prior few generation NAD entry models and the desktop models.

If you are going to buy used in this price range, I would steer away from stuff that is too old unless you can do the work yourself or like paying for and waiting for repairs.  I don't think you can get a used Rega Brio that isn't 10+ years old in your price range, but maybe you will get lucky.

Get a used Arcam FMJ A19. Kinda on the "warm" side with a great MM phono stage. 50 WPC. Used ones range from $400 to $500. Otherwise, a used Rega Brio, not a new IO. Also 50 WPC with a good MM phono stage and a small footprint. I thought the Arcam had a better soundstage, but the Brio is quite nice.

The Yamaha S801 is a nice integrated. I bought one for my son and it does a nice job driving his Harbeth C7's. You should be able to find a used one for a little more than your stated budget. 

No remote and she’s old, but she can sing… probably a little hard to find. Acurus DIA 100. Looks like there’s a MKII version here currently.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa9h1b-acurus-acurus-dia-100-mkii-solid-state?refsource=hifishar...

From a previous audiogon thread.

I then heard a Naim system and liked it (250 amp, 102 preamp with highcap and Naim speaker cables. Kept it for 5 years. I then heard the best amp. I had heard so far, the Robertson 4010 coupled with a Conrad-Johnson PV1 and B&W DM-4 speakers. I liked it so much that after a few listening sessions I sold aI then heard a Naim system and liked it (250 amp, 102 preamp with highcap and Naim speaker cables. Kept it for 5 years. I then heard the best amp. I had heard so far, the Robertson 4010 coupled with a Conrad-Johnson PV1 and B&W DM-4 speakers. I liked it so much that after a few listening sessions I sold all my Naim stuff and bought just that, a Robertson 4010, with a Conrad Johnson PVl

Whether it's looks or sound or both?...........Your choice.

Really dont like the look of the Nad amps at all, i think im off Nad.

The best I can find for the Brio is $798 open box supposedly it's an excellent condition comes with warranty that's $200 off sounds like a pretty good deal.

Look for a used Rega Brio it's a great little amp. I sold mine and I wish I hadn't...

+++If you look into the NAD market. Even though the C356BEE with more power the C316BEE is much better for music. I didn't buy either but the honest salesman confirmed that. And the sound proved it out. Something special about that amp that may go back to the 3020 days.

You think it'll drive my triangle Borea bro 2 speakers ?

You wouldn’t be dissatisfied with the Rega I/O.  Bass is a bit much for me, but most will probably love it.

I don't know why but I'm really attracted to the Rega Brio, I like the idea of the small form factor and it would fit on my desk and I like the idea that it has a good headphone jack because I love listening to headphones also most amps don't have good headphones outputs I've heard this one is really good.

There's so many options to choose from but I kind of am attracted to the desktop solution does anybody here have the Rega Brio ? Would love some feedback but I'm still open to other amps I'm just trying to figure out what I want.

I have the NAD 316 BEE. Got it used under $200. I got it  for down at my cabin for casual listening. An excellent unit. Simple. Plain. Well reviewed. Great sound stage even with a pair of equally modest Polk Audio towers. Use it all the time for casual listening but it is good enough for serious listening sessions as well and I use it that way all the time now too. Very rewarding.

So yes, explore the NAD line up.

Try to find a good vintage amplifier they will out perform a new one in that price bracket and for 500 dollars will get you a lot more sound for your money.