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Best bang for buck integrated amp for $500

Looking for best bang for buck amp for under $ 500.  I have triangle Bro 2 speakers already and cables and a dac.  So just looking at a amp.  Something in the 50-100 watt range, slightly on warm side of neutral, good low end, all the good stuff.

Right now i own the Emotiva basx A-100 its not bad i paid $199 but i want to step up my game.  Im kinda looking at Cambridge audio AXR100, a couple of yamahas, but wide open to suggestions ?

Michael
128x128audiomike33
joey54
432 posts
 
They are not the amp but you should listen for yourself. If that isn’t possible call John Rutan to have him explain the difference. Good Luck!
audiomike33's avatar
audiomike33 OP
117 posts
 
Okay because there's one on eBay the io for $450 and I spoke with the guy he owns a stereo store and he told me it's a decent amp it's not a kick-ass amp he says it's good but it's not great.

Opinions are going to probably vary from shop to shop to me the io just seemed a little on the underpowered side.
leemaze
329 posts
 
The nice thing about buying used is that you can try it and sell it if you don’t like it for little or no cost. 
Last time I went down this road I bought 4 amps (over about 6 months) and sold 3. 

Check out previous listing prices on hifi shark to determine fair market value. 
audiomike33's avatar
audiomike33 OP
117 posts
 
So I spoke to John over at audio connection in New Jersey somebody here recommended that guy loves the io said it destroys the Brio and he said 30 Watts for my situation is plenty he said this thing is a little gem the IO now he's got me rethinking I may go with the io.
audiomike33's avatar
audiomike33 OP
117 posts
 
He told me oh I'm not trying to sell you nothing I just love this amp but then he's asking me for a $50 deposit.  There's somebody selling one on eBay for $450 and it's been there quite a while nobody's even buying it and they all goes for $600 the guy that's selling on eBay just says nobody wants them in his shop don't know what to think.
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