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Which Intergrated amp for starter??

Category: Amplifiers

Hello all just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on a good intergrated amp. As of now I will be using my computer as a source until I can afford better eq. For speakers I will either be getting B & W's 602 s3 or Sonus concertino if I can find them or maybe some totem mites.

I mostly listen to classical (Brass quintents, Mahler, Bruckner, Piano) and Jazz (clark terry, mingus, clifford brown).

I figured that getting a good amp that is flexible would be a better bet than speakers which can be changed more often than not. What intergrated amp out there is a good all around perfomer for various music.

Thanks
daimbert
leedistad
104 posts
 
A truly underated and often ignored integrated is the Yamaha RX777. It's in your budget, and has a surprising amount of juice for a basic integrated. Plus (at least to me), it is built like a tank, and is totally without frills or pointless extras.
ferrari
617 posts
 
If the budget permits the Classe integrateds are perhaps the biggest bang for the dollar in contemporary products.

If not in the budget, have a PS Audio Elite on auction now that will more than fill your requirements and will drive all but the most inefficient speakers around. Great sound at a very good price.

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?intatran&1136256866

Also the integrateds from Audio Analog are nothing short of spectacular. True Italian craftsmanship. Hard to find in this country, but worth the effort.
mitchozie
3 posts
 
I have a Rotel RA820BX3 that has served me well since 1990.
When I purchase a new amp, it will most likely be a Rotel (great sound and great value)
timf
237 posts
 
I agree with the advice that suggests you settle on the speakers you want first. This is the real foundation of system in my opinion, as well as saving a lot of work down the line. Figure out your room and your speakers and move on from there. As well, I would suggest giving the investmant of time to your query. The wrong environment for your system is bound to degrade the sound of your system, leading to much second guessing and perceived buyers remorse. divorce, ill health, a bad reputation, etc. good luck!
veroman's avatar
veroman
299 posts
 
a used $300+$400 NAD integrated amp is a solid bet as are others above. when you have about $800 consider tube amps, given your tastes you may prefer that sound over solid state. imo unless you spend more than a couple grand on an integrated solid state amp there will not be a helluva sound difference between quality SS amps. do get a quality cd player (NAD is affordable) and audition new formats of hi def cd's on market. they blow regular cd's away! nice speaker choice btw, you are off to good start!
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