This is probably going to start a firefight but IMO there is absolutely NO good reason to buy old SS gear when the latest batches of inexpensive Chinese made tube Integrated amps(some w/DACS)will outperform them in every area of musical enjoyment.Legacy Classics aren't to hard to drive if I remember.I would look at some of the lower power Class A Single Ended Tube Integrated amps available through Ebay & Amazon(like the 12wpc,triode strapped KT88 from Nobosound).You should also look at a good headphone rig for blowing off steam in the wee hours of the mourning or when you don't want to disturb others in the condo.JMOFWIW
Need help with Integrated vs preamp/amp
Hi, I am new here and back into audio. I moved into a condo awhile back and sold all my higher end stuff and bought a Denon AV received with KEF surrounds and that was my system. I did keep my Legacy Classic speakers in hopes of one day rekindling my obsession.
So here I am starting again.
I have been doing somer research and have always been interested in the Acurus and Aragon stuff. I am thinking about a used DIA 100 mk2 integrated amp in the $350 range. Then I started looking at a RL 10 preamp with an A150 or A250 amp that I would have reworked with Ken Ealey. That looks like it will cost me around $1400. Then I thought I am going to need a DAC anyways, so why not look at the NAD C375 BEE with optional DAC. Used I can find this around $900. There is my dilemma. I'll be honest, the $1400 is a bit more than I want to spend right now, but I can do that in stages, buying the preamp and amp before mods is around $550-$650 which is more reasonable.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
So here I am starting again.
I have been doing somer research and have always been interested in the Acurus and Aragon stuff. I am thinking about a used DIA 100 mk2 integrated amp in the $350 range. Then I started looking at a RL 10 preamp with an A150 or A250 amp that I would have reworked with Ken Ealey. That looks like it will cost me around $1400. Then I thought I am going to need a DAC anyways, so why not look at the NAD C375 BEE with optional DAC. Used I can find this around $900. There is my dilemma. I'll be honest, the $1400 is a bit more than I want to spend right now, but I can do that in stages, buying the preamp and amp before mods is around $550-$650 which is more reasonable.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.