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budget amplification - what to get?

Hello everyone. "Audiophillia" is a new affliction for me, but a very serious one. I am however operating on a very restricted budget (PhD student). I have just got a pair of KEF Q1 speakers, I have a good set of cables (MTerminator5), I use a Panasonic DVD player (I know, it will have to go soon...) and I need to take care of the amplification. I need to stay low on cost - I have considered the NAD 320BEE integrated, the JoLida JD1701 hybrid, maybe the Rotel RA02 integrated. I would be grateful if someone could offer me some advice in the matter, as to which of these or others is better. I am listening to all kinds of music, from Pachelbel to Rammstein, from Vivaldi to Massive Attack, via Dave Brubeck and Diana Krall. Please give me some input, ideas, tips from your own systems. Thank you. Happy Holidays to everyone.
roc_doc
roc_doc OP
55 posts
 
Thank you very much, for all the answers. Does anybody have any idea where an Acurus DIA could be found? Also, if anybody has anything for sale, let me know please.
One other idea: does the Marantz PM 7000 fit in this list anywhere?
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
Hi Roc doc. If the idea of a passive pre-amp interests you,
consider the Creek 4330/R. I personally haven't heard this model but others have spoken quite highly of this int. amp.
A few years back I had the Acurus A-100/RL-11 combination. I would investigate the build quality of the Acurus DIA int. amps. Really do consider the Jolida 301. The size of a shoe box but has a wonderful quality of sound. If the convenience of a remote control and headphone jack are important to you, the NAD 320 BEE for the $$$ would be a best buy, IMO. If these conveniences are not of importance
to you, carefully consider the Jolida 301.
joe_b
421 posts
 
If you can find a factory refurbished NAD C350 for $319 plus shipping (or maybe a slightly used one for the same amount), this would probably be a good match for your speakers. I owned one of these for a little while and actually preferred it over a few more expensive SS amps that I have owned or tried. Only reason I sold it was to go back to tube equipment that cost multiples of its price.
c123666
871 posts
 
I will be boxing up my Parasound system soon for sale. All original boxes, everything works fine (preamp has never had any reliability issues other than a pushbutton required replacement once. Parasound fixed it overnight.). I want to get something that takes up less space as we've moved into a smaller home. I have a psp 1500/pdd1500 (inc remote, manuals), and a hca 1206. Original factory packaging for all three units. I am thinking 1400 or a reasonable offer would get somebody a killer, and very powerful, dolby digital six channel system.....original retail on all this gargage in the mid 90's was something like 4400 plus tax....

Such a deal.
roc_doc OP
55 posts
 
A really late completion: Thanks everyone for your input and valuable advice. I went a slightly different way though: I bought a Marantz PM 7000, mainly because the deal I got was great. While not the best possible system, what I have now is really satisfying, and most importantly, under $1000! For a start-up system, I am VERY happy. I hear music on my discs that I didn't know was there! There is plenty of power, enough to detail things without strain, and a more than reasonable sound stage.
See you.
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