Topic: Inexpensive Integrated Amplifier?

[Nick in Edinboro]

Is there an concensus on a relatively inexpensive two channel pre-amp/amp for high quality playback?
Curently I have an Onkyo TX-910 reciever and a Parasound R/HD-600 receiver. I never use the receiver or the phono inputs.

Just for a differnet flavor of recommendation, you could possibly use one of those as a preamp for a decent monoblock amplifier.

I purchased a great B&K ST-140 here off the board for a great price and it sounds great.  I can't wait to get a tube pre in front of it but for now I'm using the pre-outs on my old H/K AVR-20.

http://audioreview.com/amplifiers/b&k%20components/prd_115626_1583crx.aspx#reviews

[Nick's Picks]

i'll 2nd the B&K.
research it, you'll read it discribed as having a "cult following".
its a pleasing sounding amp.

[Nick Culbreth]

I'll third the B&K ST-140 suggestion, I owned one for awhile and I thought it sounded great for the price.

[JasonR]

The B&K ST-140 paired with a nice preamp is a good call.  Likewise a Rotel RB-980BX or something along those lines.  But I think a better one-box choice would be an Acurus DIA-100 (or 150, 100mkII, etc).  They show up on audiogon.com every now and then and sound is even better than most seperates anywhere near this price range... including Acurus/Aragon's own stuff.

- Jason

[Todd R]

Ok, a little late to this party, but I thought I'd chime in to recommend a Cambridge Audio integrated amp.  I've got a A500 int amp I picked up for about your budget level to use in my home office system.  I like it a lot and would definitely recommend it.  I think the newer Azur line is a bit more expensive than what you want to spend, but if you look for an A300 or A500 used, you should be able to get it at or below your budget.

I also like the preamp + B&K or Acurus idea (I used to use that myself for my main system).  But by the time you pick up a preamp, even going used you'll be looking at double your budget or more.

[Chuck]

Ok, a little late to this party, but I thought I'd chime in to recommend a Cambridge Audio integrated amp.  I've got a A500 int amp I picked up for about your budget level to use in my home office system.  I like it a lot and would definitely recommend it.  I think the newer Azur line is a bit more expensive than what you want to spend, but if you look for an A300 or A500 used, you should be able to get it at or below your budget.

I also like the preamp + B&K or Acurus idea (I used to use that myself for my main system).  But by the time you pick up a preamp, even going used you'll be looking at double your budget or more.

I'm reading about the A300.
It looks good, but it seems a bit hard to find in the US...

[Todd R]

I'm reading about the A300.
It looks good, but it seems a bit hard to find in the US...

Yep, that's probably true.  I got my A500 new from audioadvisor.com on a closeout sale when they moved to the Azur line.  I think it was only something like$219-229.  It might take some hunting to find an A300 or A500, but if you don't mind spending some time and waiting awhile, it might be a good choice.

[Chuck]

I'm reading about the A300.
It looks good, but it seems a bit hard to find in the US...

Yep, that's probably true.  I got my A500 new from audioadvisor.com on a closeout sale when they moved to the Azur line.  I think it was only something like$219-229.  It might take some hunting to find an A300 or A500, but if you don't mind spending some time and waiting awhile, it might be a good choice.

Thanks Todd, I'm seriously looking into it.
My other option is one of those cheap class D amps talked about earlier. But, after seeing a photo of guts of those Cambridge amps, I'm pretty well convinced. It looks like a lot of amp, for not a lot of money! Are they fan cooled? I hate noisey fans...

[BobW]

Well, with the thread heading this way.... someone should say Creek.
There, I've said it !

Never owned one, but thought that the few that I heaqrd sounded pretty good.

Still liking my SE EL34s at 10 wpc.  Working on quieting her down.
No body-slam bass, but she has sweet voicing and tames a redbook CD pretty nicely.

[Jammin72]

Chuck..

Here's a listing for a vintage Creek Integrated in which you may be interested for $250

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1120235749

[Chuck]

Hmmm...
Is this a good amp for a good price?

[Daryan]

You REALLY should consider spending a bit more money and get the combo with the ref1's at av123.com.  The price and sound are an absolute steal, and would be my choice since you will invariably want to upgrade quickly, like taping gear, and this will last you longer than most setups I think.

[Chuck]

You REALLY should consider spending a bit more money and get the combo with the ref1's at av123.com.  The price and sound are an absolute steal, and would be my choice since you will invariably want to upgrade quickly, like taping gear, and this will last you longer than most setups I think.

the combo with the ref1's at av123.com.

What is this in reference to? What would something like this cost?

[Chuck]

This is post 2000 for me 

I have a pair of Tannoy Reveal speakers that I like. I just need an integrated amp to drive them, so I can evaluate my recordings better. It's a DAW set-up.

[Chuck]

Well, I threw caution to the wind and bought a used Creek 4140 on eBay for $162 shipped.

The 4140 s2 looked like a better amp, but the two on AudiogoN were gone before I made up my mind.
I think I got a good deal. I can't wait until it arrives.
My playback system now:

Toshiba SD-3960> Creek CAS 4140> Tannoy Reveals