2. amps-preamps
  3. 1290657706

Man between two eras

Bit of a conundrum, Newer technology or vintage? I need something that will last a long while before upgrading. Will be buying used and don’t mind having a vintage amp serviced/cleaned, caps replace and so on. Must have phono as well. Taking this all in to consideration my budget is $500.00 to $900.00. Listing area is a loft (small area but like high volume at times). I would prefer a unit on just the slightly warm side, not to dry or analytical. Driving some refurbished Dynaco a25 speakers may change at a later date. Flexibility is good.

Looking for a receiver or an integrated amp. I am considering the following:

Rega
Musical Fidelity
Bryston
Arcam

Vintage
Yamaha
Pioneer
Marantz
Sansui

Thanks for the input,
Happy Thanksgiving!
musicrover

Showing 1 response by willland

willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
I have vintage 70's Marantz(2252B), 80's/90's Denon(PMA-1080R), 90's Onkyo Integra(A-9711). All are very musical with the Marantz being on the warm side and the Denon and Onkyo Integra on the neutral/warm side. If all conditions are equal, I like the my 70's Marantz 2252B receiver the best with it's very fluid warm punchy sound that can be enjoyed for hours on end without fatigue. I have also used it as a preamp with different amps(Marantz MA-500 monoblocks, Acurus A150, B&K EX4420)with each only enhancing that sweet vintage Marantz sound and adding plenty of headroom.

On the other hand, some of the 80's and early 90's Denon and Onkyo Integra integrated amps are incredible bargains with good build quality and plenty of power to satisfy at low to high volumes.

Some of the following model numbers are Japanese market only and may have a corresponding US model number:

http://audio-database.com/DENON-COLUMBIA/amp/index.html

http://audio-database.com/ONKYO/amp/index2.html
http://audio-database.com/ONKYO/amp/index3.html

Bill
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