Topic: Arcam A65+ vs Music Hall a15.2 vs Rotel RA-02

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Any opinions on these 3 Integrated Amps?

I'm looking for an amp to power my Epos ELS8's. I'm trying to buy the Music Hall but the person selling it isn't responding, so I figured I'd see if anyone has any experience with the other options available to me now.

All 3 are in the $300 range used. Leaning towards the Music Hall simply because it has a bit more power (not that I can use it in my apartment).

My playback is listed below (with the Music Hall as a placeholder).

Arcam A65+
40wpc into 8ohms (both channels driven)
Bi-polar circuit design
SANKEN “Audio” output devices, Wima polypropylene and Silmic II capacitors
Remote controlled Electronic input selection using high quality pro-audio multiplexers
MM Phono stage fitted as standard
Separate regulated rails on each input stage of the power amp
Remote control


Music Hall a15.2
75 watt/ch amplifier
ultra low noise pre-amplifier section
brushed aluminum face plate
gold plated heavy gauge speaker binding posts
5 x  analog stereo gold plated inputs
1 x fixed line out
moving-magnet phono input
headphone output
special padded vibration damping feet
powerful high-current toroidal power transformer
3.5mm front panel mini plug input
power saving standby operation
voltage switchable
removable power cord
system remote control


Rotel RA-02
Inputs   1 x MM phono, 4 x line level, 1 x tape loop
Outputs   6.3mm headphone jack, 2 pairs of switched speaker outputs, pre-out
Tone controls   Bass and treble controls, tone defeat
Record out selector   Yes
Power output   40 watts / channel (8 ohms RDS)
Remote control   Yes
WxHxD (mm) / Weight (kg)   435 x 72 x 342 / 6.5 kg
Colour   Black or silver
Extra   2 x 12 volt trigger output, external remote input, IR output.

[Jimna]

Isnt the rotel and arcam a bit underpowered?

[Chilly Brioschi]

No mention of the NAD C-352 ?

http://nadelectronics.com/download.php?100421111002-C352_data.pdf|Data%20Sheet%20-%20C%20352%20Stereo%20Integrated%20Amplifier

[jlykos]

You may also want to check the Cambridge Audio 350A or 550A, or something like that.  I have the Azur 840A and love it.  I've been using Cambridge Audio products for years and have found them a great value.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Thanks. In theory I should have the Music Hall in my hands. Unfortunately the guy I bought it from on Audiogon is a flake, and addressed the box incorrectly.

First the guy completely neglects to send me an invoice with the total. He was waiting for a money order, even though he never confirmed the shipping amount AND I said I wanted to pay with Paypal. He sends me a shipping quote of $30, but doesn't tell me if that includes the Paypal fee. In the meantime he keeps trying to sell me other items like CD players and Speakers. After I figure out the total and make him confirm it's correct I sent payment via Paypal and requested he send me a tracking number and carrier. He sends the tracking number, but doesn't mention who is shipping it, so I had to go to fedex, ups, etc to figure out who's tracking number it was. Finally the day it is suppose to arrive the ups page gets updated that my address is incorrectly labeled. Just sent him an email to have UPS correct my address...but I don't really have a lot of faith in this guy. Hopefully it arrives...when it does I'm going to have a field day in the comments about him on Audiogon.

Got everything together except the amp. Building some speaker cables today. Hopefully UPS figures out my address on their own. I do get quite a lot from them.

Only other thing I might add to the system is a Sonos or similar.

[Jimna]

congrats, let us know what you think.

[Chilly Brioschi]

Thanks. In theory I should have the Music Hall in my hands. Unfortunately the guy I bought it from on Audiogon is a flake, ...

See movie Ghost World for adequate depiction of most characters who frequent A-gon.
"How can you expect it to sound good with only a ten-band equalizer!"     

I bet it arrives, he's probably just a bit flakely .

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Well...it arrived!! BUT no power cable. Sent an email to figure out when he can send the power cable. No response yet.

Damn I'm going to have a good time writing feedback for this dope.

God I freaking hate people that run high end stereo shops more than about anyone. I bought my turntable local from a place in Denver. Jesus fucking Christ that guy was a nut-job. Same with this dude.