Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: acidjack on March 04, 2010, 06:26:17 PM

Title: Recs for ~$200 stereo amp?
Post by: acidjack on March 04, 2010, 06:26:17 PM

Continuing to demonstrate my ignorance of all things playback, I am looking for a very basic stereo amp.  Will be powering bookshelf-size speakers (Celestion SL6, or possibly some as-yet-unbought) speakers in a second room.  The Celestions seem to be a pretty well regarded speaker, so I'd like something that will "respect" them.

As to what it's connected to, it'd probably be only a Squeezebox or other wireless device, and I may rig the system to a TV and DVD player, but even if I do, all I care about is 2-channel.  I'd like it to have a remote and ideally, toslink input, too. 

Someone recommended the Onkyo A9555, which looks great, but since this will be my "second" amp that is a little more than I want to spend since it looks like they're still $400 used.  I don't mind buying one from Audiogon or other used markets if that will get my $200 a lot farther. 

Title: Re: Recs for ~$200 stereo amp?
Post by: Jimna on March 04, 2010, 07:26:42 PM

are you talking integrated, or a stand alone amp?  do you have a preamp?

Title: Re: Recs for ~$200 stereo amp?
Post by: Tim on March 04, 2010, 07:39:48 PM

assuming that you don't have a preamp search audiogon for solid state integrated amps in your price range. I'd be looking at Cambridge Audio 540 or 640 (just outside your budget) and NAD.

There's a few on there now but it looks like they've all sold.

Title: Re: Recs for ~$200 stereo amp?
Post by: Jimna on March 04, 2010, 07:50:07 PM

if your using a squeezebox it can be the preamp to a nice little amp.  get a better amp and buy a real pre down the road.

Title: Re: Recs for ~$200 stereo amp?
Post by: ducati on March 05, 2010, 09:21:05 AM

Cambridge and NAD are always pretty safe at the lower pricepoints.  NAD went downhill for many years, but the newer BEE stuff is getting some good press, even the small 315BEE which is in your price range.

I am friends with a dealer who sells Cambridge, if you'd like me to get some quotes I'd be happy to.  The 340 should be attainable.

I'm selling an 840A version 1 demo amp for my dealer if you want to stretch your budget--50% off.

Title: Re: Recs for ~$200 stereo amp?
Post by: noahbickart on March 09, 2010, 09:31:42 AM

buy used, and save!

integrateds:
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl?PRIC=1&PMIN=150&PMAX=250&CTGSK=intatran&submit=Go

power amps:
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl?PRIC=1&PMIN=150&PMAX=250&CTGSK=ampstran&submit=Go

-Noah

Title: Re: Recs for ~$200 stereo amp?
Post by: som on March 09, 2010, 04:32:23 PM

Quote from: ducati on March 05, 2010, 09:21:05 AM

Cambridge and NAD are always pretty safe at the lower pricepoints.  NAD went downhill for many years, but the newer BEE stuff is getting some good press, even the small 315BEE which is in your price range.

I had a NAD C320BEE for years and loved it....my first step into "real" hifi. I've since moved on to tubes just be, y'know, cool, but I loved my old NAD...

Title: Re: Recs for ~$200 stereo amp?
Post by: Jimna on March 09, 2010, 05:14:55 PM

im fond of my nads too.