Inexpensive Integrated Amplifier?

[Chuck]

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.

[Tim]

the NAD units are pretty good for the money, guess it depends on what you mean by inexpensive.

the Sony Digital units are an option as well...

[Chuck]

the NAD units are pretty good for the money, guess it depends on what you mean by inexpensive.

the Sony Digital units are an option as well...

In the $200 range is there anything?

[JackoRoses]

onkyo is not all that bad,
I am running a onkyo integrated tuner amp(tx-8210) and I like it.
No it is not a denon or NAD or mcintosh...
It does a good job for what it is though.
Mine has received a mention in audiophile circles, not that I am going
to pass it off as audiophile gear yet I feel it is a great entry level
piece of equipment.

[Tim]

off hand I don't know but check audiogon and ebay... you may get an older NAD for around there...

[Chuck]

onkyo is not all that bad,
I am running a onkyo integrated tuner amp(tx-8210) and I like it.
No it is not a denon or NAD or mcintosh...
It does a good job for what it is though.
Mine has received a mention in audiophile circles, not that I am going
to pass it off as audiophile gear yet I feel it is a great entry level
piece of equipment.

Today I did a comparison between my Onkyo TX-910 and Parasound R/HD 600. I liked the Onkyo better! Even though the Parasound is a high current discrete circuit design. I've researched NAD in the past, and found there are a bunch of NAD haters in audiophile circles. Is this deserved or are the NAD amps any good?

[Chuck]

onkyo is not all that bad,
I am running a onkyo integrated tuner amp(tx-8210) and I like it.
No it is not a denon or NAD or mcintosh...
It does a good job for what it is though.
Mine has received a mention in audiophile circles, not that I am going
to pass it off as audiophile gear yet I feel it is a great entry level
piece of equipment.

The TX-8210 looks exactly like my TX-910.

[Craig T]

$250 - Panasonic SAXR50 (now SAXR55?)
$230 - JVC RX-F10
$180 - JVC RX-202

[Daryan]

I agree with Craig above.  You will be much happier using some of the newer class d stuff than you will buying a less exspensive integrated amp.  That said, if you are set on integrated, there is a b stock onic 60 watt integrated at av123.com that wil not last much longer that you may like.  If I was in your position, I would lok for a panasonic xr-45 if you can find one, or the xr-50 on ebay since they are discontinued.  You can preorder the xr-55 for 250 at j and r.  Hope this helps.

[Chuck]

I agree with Craig above.  You will be much happier using some of the newer class d stuff than you will buying a less exspensive integrated amp.  That said, if you are set on integrated, there is a b stock onic 60 watt integrated at av123.com that wil not last much longer that you may like.  If I was in your position, I would lok for a panasonic xr-45 if you can find one, or the xr-50 on ebay since they are discontinued.  You can preorder the xr-55 for 250 at j and r.  Hope this helps.

Class D?
Is there somewhere I can read up on this stuff?
Are the above mentioned amps clean?

[Tim]

d as in digital

[Chuck]

d as in digital

Yeah, I found the Panasonic site and have been reading.
In my experience, digital doesn't nessesarily make it good. Especially if it's a newer technology. Apparently the "bugs" have been worked out? Is this audiophile quality stuff?

[MattD]

d as in digital

That's actually something of a misnomer. Class D amps are digital switching amps. Digital = the way the power supplied to the output stage (I think) is either fully on or fully off (1 or 0). My PS Audio HCA-2 is one example of this type of amp that is definitely audiophile quality. You won't find one for $200, but you could find one used for under $1000 without too much trouble.

[Tim]

d as in digital

That's actually something of a misnomer. Class D amps are digital switching amps. Digital = the way the power supplied to the output stage (I think) is either fully on or fully off (1 or 0). My PS Audio HCA-2 is one example of this type of amp that is definitely audiophile quality. You won't find one for $200, but you could find one used for under $1000 without too much trouble.

you are correct, I could have been much, much clearer

[BobW]

the NAD units are pretty good for the money, guess it depends on what you mean by inexpensive.

the Sony Digital units are an option as well...

In the $200 range is there anything?

Rotel RA931 is quiet, controlled, and clean.
The top-end can be a bit fast (op-amps) but there are some snazzy mods out for the DIP-8 IC, if you ever want to upgrade it.
I use mine for the patio system, I'm thinking of upgrading............. (as always      )

The NAD 372 is also a good option.

Good luck.