Another unit which coul;d fit your budget is the
Emotiva BasX TA-100 stereo preamp/DAC/tuner with integrated amplifier. It goes for 399. For a hundred less, they have a preamp set up the same sans an amplifier. So, if the pre section is as good as some say, the integrated could be used that way down the road by adding a more powerful amp if that is desired. At that price point, that would be in the running for me. For double that, an Outlaw RR2160. Used on used sale sites, there are more options at the 400 dollar range, but the emotiva seems to gives alot of inputs plus 50 watts is sufficient most of the time.
Integrated or Receiver?
That is the question.
As my luck would have it, my near 30 year old Denon PMA520 integrated amp is apparently on its way out. I've already spent $150 to fix one problem only to have one channel all but vanish (can hear some high end audio but it is faint) and the other channel cuts in and out. Since I had the unit cleaned just a few weeks ago and the noise that had cropped up in deep bass, I would have to believe this is another problem and would require additional servicing at additional cost.
The way I see it, this is throwing good money after bad. Will probably scrap this thing and will buy something new.
Since my budget is going to be under $400 right now thanks to a slew of other expenses that take priority, I am wondering if I should just settle for a basic entry level amp like the Yamaha 301 or Onkyo 9050 or purchase a Receiver from Yamaha or some other company that is fairly inexpensive and use that for a couple of years until I can buy a better integrated amp when I should have more money to budget for it.
Any thoughts on this?
As my luck would have it, my near 30 year old Denon PMA520 integrated amp is apparently on its way out. I've already spent $150 to fix one problem only to have one channel all but vanish (can hear some high end audio but it is faint) and the other channel cuts in and out. Since I had the unit cleaned just a few weeks ago and the noise that had cropped up in deep bass, I would have to believe this is another problem and would require additional servicing at additional cost.
The way I see it, this is throwing good money after bad. Will probably scrap this thing and will buy something new.
Since my budget is going to be under $400 right now thanks to a slew of other expenses that take priority, I am wondering if I should just settle for a basic entry level amp like the Yamaha 301 or Onkyo 9050 or purchase a Receiver from Yamaha or some other company that is fairly inexpensive and use that for a couple of years until I can buy a better integrated amp when I should have more money to budget for it.
Any thoughts on this?