Integrated Amp Bargains with good balanced sound?

I have had an Audio Refinement Complete so count me in as another supporter. In reply to Karelfd, it does not have a phono stage. Alternatively if you stretched a little you could also get a Naim Nait.

Cheers

I gotta tell you - I love my denon pma-2000IVR and I can't belive the bargain agnitude on that one (600USD or so used)...GREAT phono stage as well (MC/MM)! One thing with this one - experiment with 'higher-end' power cords as the one that it comes with can easily be improved upon...I used a Denon DL 304 (0.18mV) phono cart and man it sounded good IMHO! try it!

Look at some of the Arcams, A65, A75, etc.

Matty

I'm pretty new to this, but am thrilled with my Jolida 1501a. Rolled the tubes, burnt it in, even brings big smiles to my wife. Huge difference from our 15 yr old Onkyo solid state

i looked thru your other threads and i see that we have a few components in common. i run a rega 25 (1 "up" from your rega 3) we also use the denon dl-160. my integrated amp is the audio refinement complete. as others have said, if u get the ARComplete, you'll have to get an outboard phono stage. and to get the most out of your cartridge, you'll have to get one that allows for variable gain and input loading. (i've found that gain at 44db and loading at 1000ohms works best with the denon 160) i use a musical surroundings phonomena as my phono pre. it can be had at around $300 used here.

an aside: a year ago, i was in the same situation u are in now...upgrading an outmoded vinyl playback system. it took me a year and more $ than i wanted to spend, but i've reached the point where i now find myself with an ear-to-ear grin when i listen to my kickin' system. good luck in your search