amp for totem mites

lanion
lanion Posts: 843
edited March 2006 in Electronics
I will be getting some Totem Mites soon and need a cheap amp, but having trouble deciding.... Cambridge Audio 540a or Harman Kardon 3480?
My Iron Man training/charity blog.

HT:
32" Sharp LCD. H/K dpr 1001 to Outlaw Audio 7900 to Polk LSi + Paradigm Studio center. Hsu DualDrive ULS-15. PS3/Wii. Outlaw 7900.
Post edited by lanion on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited March 2006
    Are you wanting an amp or a receiver??

    The HK 3480 is a high current, 120 wpc(8 ohms) receiver. I have the 3380 and it packs a nice punch and will handle sub 4 ohm loads, though it's only rated for 4 ohm loads, which it handles with ease. Can't say much about the Cambridge, other than they seem to make decent gear.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited March 2006
    Cambridge Audio 540A.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lanion
    lanion Posts: 843
    edited March 2006
    Well, I want an integrated amp, but considering the Harman Kardon can be had for $200 refurbished, I'm not going to overlook it.
    My Iron Man training/charity blog.

    HT:
    32" Sharp LCD. H/K dpr 1001 to Outlaw Audio 7900 to Polk LSi + Paradigm Studio center. Hsu DualDrive ULS-15. PS3/Wii. Outlaw 7900.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lanion
    lanion Posts: 843
    edited March 2006
    Totem has recommended the Nad C352 and the Jolida 1501... That Jolida looks really awesome. Any opinions?
    My Iron Man training/charity blog.

    HT:
    32" Sharp LCD. H/K dpr 1001 to Outlaw Audio 7900 to Polk LSi + Paradigm Studio center. Hsu DualDrive ULS-15. PS3/Wii. Outlaw 7900.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lanion
    lanion Posts: 843
    edited March 2006
    Hm, I've been reading that Totem and Jolida go well together some places (some audio forum sites, and Totem customer support said it would be good, which is saying something), but a few people say its horrible... strange. No one has said anything bad about Nad though, so I guess that is a point in its favor.

    Also, was your jolida experience with the hybrid amps, or all tubes?
    My Iron Man training/charity blog.

    HT:
    32" Sharp LCD. H/K dpr 1001 to Outlaw Audio 7900 to Polk LSi + Paradigm Studio center. Hsu DualDrive ULS-15. PS3/Wii. Outlaw 7900.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lanion
    lanion Posts: 843
    edited March 2006
    Classical, Folk / folk pop (Nickel Creek, Loreena Mckennitt), choral music, classic rock and pop, so it covers the spectrum -- and I don't expect my pop music to sound very good.
    My Iron Man training/charity blog.

    HT:
    32" Sharp LCD. H/K dpr 1001 to Outlaw Audio 7900 to Polk LSi + Paradigm Studio center. Hsu DualDrive ULS-15. PS3/Wii. Outlaw 7900.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited March 2006
    Another vote for the HK 3480. I used to own one. Very solid system at an excellent price. If you want to spend at least triple the cost of the HK, try the Jolida 502 for the sweet tube sound.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marker
    marker Posts: 1,084
    edited March 2006
    I have a HK 3480 receiver and a Cambridge Azur 640A integrated.

    From experience, go with the HK!

    GOBS more power, plus a tuner, phono stage, and a virtual surround format that is absolutely jaw dropping.

    The CA integrated *might* sound a little more more refined, but the difference is negligible at best.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lanion
    lanion Posts: 843
    edited March 2006
    Well, I think im going to check out Nad and Cambridge since there are deaelrs nearby... There are no Jolida dealers nearby, so that's out given mixed reviews. I'll report back after I've checked things out
    My Iron Man training/charity blog.

    HT:
    32" Sharp LCD. H/K dpr 1001 to Outlaw Audio 7900 to Polk LSi + Paradigm Studio center. Hsu DualDrive ULS-15. PS3/Wii. Outlaw 7900.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter