Very cheap alternative is 70's kenwood or kenwood trio models like the ka7100/ka9100 etc these go for hundreds of dollars and probablly have dirty coontacts but they did sound great. These aren't related to current kenwoods they are more related to accuphase. features= pure class a, dual power supplies and dc circuitry etc . Audio Classics are very good people and I purchased my new c2200 + mc2102 from them and they are always ready to help and service your purchase.
Cheap class A intergrated power.....
Looking for best buy intergrated that could drive a 4 ohm load...new or used...older Musical Fidelity?
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Hi phasecorrect, I refered to your posts prior to purchasing my Europas, so would like to return the favor. I have recently replaced a solid state system with Dodd Audio preamp and 8watt stereo amp and its driving the GMAs beautifully. Gary Dodd makes a series of amps that have a built in voloume control so can function as an integrated. I highly recommend Gary and his products and particularly as a great match for the Europas. My system (previously Morrison ELAD to Pass Labs Aleph 3) which was too bright and grainy when fed by a Mac computer for source via a USB to RCA interface, is now so listenable, enjoyable, even without a DAC (scott Nixon tubedac). when DAC is inline I dont miss my Jolida CDP, or solid state equipment at all. Whats more the typical criticism of tube amps (and the reason I have shyed away) ie the lack of extension in the lows and highs, DOES NOT APPLY here. I have better, deeper, more controlled bass and better, more enjoyable highs with the Dodd 8wpc stereo amp than I ever did with the 30wpc aleph. take care |
This has always confused me. Some say class a as a marketing term and others use it to describe a function one step about class ab "push-pull" that generates what is not being drawn upon as heat. Cheap is in the wallet of the beholder and I know you said integrated but I've heard Monarcy Audio's 70 model that is legit class a and a good buy at its price. |
I do'nt know if they come up in the US, but do'nt forget the good old Sugden A21 integrated. It's quite cheap, very reliable and wonderfully musically envolving in the right system. That means reasonably sensitive speakers, but presumably you would'nt be considering class A if you did'nt have those. I agree with JKaway, I have never liked Musical Fidelity much and I'm British, Sugden is a wondeful, but less well known company, with to me a much more envolving "house sound" |
I sold my MF A300 last year for $ 900. and felt lucky to get rid of it,even though I'd lost a bundle.The reason ? Even though it had great build quality and a lot of features including a ton of power, the sound was uninvolving and dull to the point of being annoying.Went to a 50 watt ASL tube integrated and it's a whole new world of listening. |
The best integrated, without a doubt is A300S from bvaudio, no question about it. Do your homework and compare this one to any other integrated. |
The cheapest and one of the best bang for the buck is the MF A300. It drove my big Maggies with absolute authority! I will miss it.Also you have the Kavent 210 and the Xindak 6900. I haven't heard these but they do look interesting. Good Luck! |