A receiver has a power amp in it already so why buy another? Cash them in and buy an integrated amp? You've answered your own question. You're not pushed about "absorbing" the music so buy what you need. A cheap receiver. |
If you already have a power amp, you have a choice of receiver (insure it has pre-outs), tuner and pre-amp, or a tuner/pre-amp combo. Both Adcom and NAD made tuner/pre-amp combos, and there are likely others. Not sure if anyone today still builds a combo tuner/pre-amp, but older Adcom and NAD units are readily available on eBay and other sites.
Some potential choices would be NAD 1700, Adcom GTP-350 or GTP-500, etc.
A pre-amp/tuner combo would get you what you need, without stuff you don't need. But a vintage receiver would also be cool. Just insure any receiver you buy has the pre-outs needed to connect your power amp. |
i only listen to fm and tv on my system. i used to have an older reciever mated to a power amp then to the speakers. the reciever was to noisy so i bought a pre amp tuner to take place of the old reciever.no noise now!! by the way my pre amp tuner is a mcintosh mx132 mated to a mcintosh mc602! powering 4 bose 901 series 2 speakers! |
thank you for the replies. i feel i've done fairly well keeping this system well under budget and have a sound that i've been chasing since i was a kid. i like the receiver option, i'm comfortable with it, i am glad to hear i'm not making a terrible mistake in wanting to stay with it. |
Ignoring your existing phono preamp and amp for the moment:
If you don't absorb your music, a receiver is the way to go. Simple, remote volume, takes less room, less cables ...
research about it's tuner and included or optional phono stage, make a choice.
I would go for built in phono stage for further simplicity.
receiver on, select FM or Phono, done. |
this is what i'd really love, a receiver with a phono / fm. unfortunately, all the ones that i've found are older and i'm not terribly interested in vintage anymore. they're cool, don't get me wrong. it just seems terribly overpriced given what's available in the newer market. |
The newer Denon receivers can virtually shut off the amps turning themselves into pre/amp processors, that are just get a Marantz 7705 pre/pro and call it a day. |
What amp do you have? What loudspeakers? |
i have a parasound hca1000a and energy connoisseur c-9's. i've tried them without an amp and they're totally lame. with an amp though, i'm going to keep them for a long time. |
I ran a receiver (as a pre-amp) and separate amp many years ago when I was just starting out. It worked pretty good but when I finally bought a separate pre-amp it was a big step up. You have a nice little amp and a good pre-amp would make it shine. On the other hand, you'll have to add a tuner to the stack but there are cheap ones that sound good. |
@kittenbits - Good luck. I hope you find something that suits you. I would be leery of any of the new HT receivers as a front end for your analog-only (FM radio and phono) system as they have a whole bunch of circuitry that contributes nothing to your needs (and likely detracts, even if the button says "direct"). I have yet to hear an HT receiver that had a good FM tuner or sounded worth a darn for 2-channel listening.
I still recommend a pre-amp/tuner combo, for simplicity, if you can find one. It doesn't have any circuitry you don't need. Nice and simple, analog only, and nothing you don't need or want.
A separate pre-amp and tuner would be my next choice.
If you are going to try a receiver, buy a 2-channel stereo receiver (with pre-outs) and not an HT receiver. Too much un-necessary circuitry to either go bad and take out the whole receiver, or detract from your analog-only needs. If you insist on a relatively modern HT receiver, don't pay more than $50 - $100. Your not going to use any of the stuff that makes them expensive. |
I'd go with some sort of streaming solution instead. Almost all radio stations in the world are online these days.
Have you considered the Parasound Z Pre? Inexpensive and really good. Same for the ZDac, but I think the latter is no longer made.
Then all you need is a tuner.
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Well, if looking for a receiver Yamaha makes a couple. Both in your budget I believe. Have internal phonostage and DAC as well. |
