Best integrated amps


Hi, for a budget of 300$ what integrated amp should I choose? I have currently a nad 3020, is it worth doing the change?

orcodisco

thecarpathian….. Hysterical Tom!!!

This is like a phony phone call from the 70’s but instead as a newsgroup posting.  You really had me going :). Well done!

Seriously thecarpathian - private message me who you are, I live overseas now.  

If it’s who I think this is, do you also want some more chocolate chip cookies from my Nephew?  How’s the Fleawatt treating you?
 

I’ll be back in the States mid August for a month visiting.

Um, I'm your long lost cousin on one of your parent's side wondering if you had a spare amp for a family member...

 I’ve owned several of his Fleawatts over the past several years and have given a number of them away to family members. 

Cousin Lou!

Check out Derek Sanderson’s creations - search Fleawatt blog.  I’ve owned several of his Fleawatts over the past several years and have given a number of them away to family members.  Have always loved his designs.

If you can swing $600, get a Denon PMA-2000. The original. It has a light gold color anodizing. A great amp in my opinion. This amp will pretty much drive any speaker, and won't need a rebuild.

No. Not worth the change. Listen to ghdprentice. You're not going to find anything better for $300. NAD 3020 is a classic. You'd have to spend a lot more to out perform it.

What are your sources and speakers? Keep the 3020 and focus on those if you really want to hear a difference.

@thecarpathian, it is part of the young audiophile’s upgrade path...a sad, impatient, confused one, especially when on a budget ( but I speak for many of us ). I responded to his other, duplicate thread. A complete rebuild would be more than his budget, but is an amazing thing ( new chassis, new connectors, new attenuators for volume and tone, and a few more goodies ( all this from AliExpress )

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649859972-audiolab-8000a-integrated-amplifier/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649621550-cambridge-audio-axa35-stereo-integrated-amplifier/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649853915-nad-c326bee/

That is a pretty small budget. NADs typically sound pretty good for the money. I think that is the model I had… gave to a friend. He is using it.

 

I would save up a thousand… then start looking.