Best Integrated amps for $400 - $700 used

AndyGwis
AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
edited April 2007 in Electronics
I've decided to consolidate things, so I'm going from separates to a nice integrated amp.

Here is what I will soon be shopping for:

Integrated amp with around 80-100wpc 8ohms, hopefully 120-200wpc 4 ohms. Enough to run some Lsi's, maybe 15s at some point.

-Must have remote
-Prefer phono input
-Prefer two speaker outputs
-Must have pre-outs

Currently, I'm looking at several Arcam offerings (A80, Alpha 8/10), some Musical Fidelity (3.2, anything else I can afford from them), Krell, and Linn Majik I.
Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
Post edited by AndyGwis on
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Comments

  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited March 2007
    Andy.. I was in the market for an integrated myself for months.
    take a look at Unison Research -- either the Unico or the Unico P. They are fantastic hybrid integrateds that are absolutely liquid, but with a measure of authority. I have the Unico P and though it's rated at 50 watts, John Atkinson's bench test has it closer to 70wpc.
    It's larger brother the Unico is rated at 80wpc, so you can probably make an assumption here...

    Remotes - check
    Phono input - check
    Two speaker outputs for bi-amp config - check
    Negatory on the preouts

    The Unico P would probably set you back $700-750. The Unico... between $1000-1100.

    Kind of on the upperend and past your bracket. Just more food for thought.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited March 2007
    Here's something that is in your price range NEW. It's gotten very good reviews. I have not personally heard one however.

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MAPM7001

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited March 2007
    I'll definitely check out Unico. Russ told me to check out DK Designs, but that hybrid integrated they have is a beast.

    Thanks for the heads up.

    Anyone have experience running an Arcam integrated? I see the most of those, and they have everything I need. The look of them isn't highest on my list with plastic fronts on some of their pieces, but if they sound nice. . . I could see past that.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited March 2007
    I owned the Arcam A85, which should be similar to the A80. It was really nice. Very versatile with the settings, etc. It sounded great too. Pushed my Dynaudio's fairly easily. I'd highly recommend it.

    EDIT: I don't remember the A85 having a plastic front, but maybe it did. It was heavy and seemed well build all around. Anyway, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited March 2007
    Here's a link to the Unico P...
    http://www.unisonresearch.com/unico/unicoP.asp

    The piece is solid with a substantial seemingly sandblasted ivory front and wooden insignia.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited March 2007
    Get the DK Andy, one just popped on the 'gon for $900. Quit F'n around.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited March 2007
    Eeesh... that looks like a sweet piece of gear Russ.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • cstpeter
    cstpeter Posts: 387
    edited March 2007
    Although there aren't any right now, I've been seeing the Musical Fidelity A-300 for around $700 and A3.2 for around $1000 on Audiogon.
    Von Schweikert VR4-jr
    Valve Audio Predator
    Denon DVD-2900
    PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
    Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
    Graham Slee Special Edition 2
    PS Audio UPC-200
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited March 2007
    All great options, guys.

    Russ, that DK would likely be the best for the money, but good lord it's big! I thought getting an integrated would make my setup smaller, cuter, etc. . . the DK would straight up scare my speakers!

    Thanks again for all the input.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited March 2007
    Go big, or go home man. You can't touch that amp for the money. Why dick around? Buy a DK and be DONE. It will drive whatever you happen to bring home and hook up to it. SDA? No problem. Carver Amazings? All day. DQ-10's? In a NY minute. Etc.....

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited March 2007
    No experience with the DK....but I have mucho good things to say about both the Krell KAV-300i and the MF A3.2

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    edited March 2007
    A used NAD C372 (about $1K new) should also fit into your price range. Don't think it has a phono input though, but meets your other criteria.
    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,020
    edited March 2007
    HH Scott 299 series :-)

    No remote, and not 80 to 100 watts, but it'd be hard to better invest $400 to 700 in a fine sounding integrated amplifier. The phono section's quite good, to boot. And best of all, it will most likely appreciate in value over time.
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited April 2007
    cstpeter wrote: »
    Although there aren't any right now, I've been seeing the Musical Fidelity A-300 for around $700 and A3.2 for around $1000 on Audiogon.


    Looks like my search for an integrated has ended. I took your advice, cstpeter, but instead of 700 for the A300 or $1K for the A3.2, Troy offered the best of both worlds by putting his A3.2 up for $700 :) Thank you much, Troy!!!

    100+ wpc in 8 ohms: check
    Preouts: check
    Phono input: check
    remote: check
    2 speaker outs: no, but my patio speakers don't deserve to be connected to the MF anyway

    If I go broke, get fired, or do something stupid and need bail money, can I sell it quickly and at least break even: CHECK

    Happier than a pig in. . . well, you now. Happy Easter to me! Troy, please ship in well packaged egg.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,606
    edited April 2007
    Now you need to drive up to McKinney and get a pair of Spendors!
    That temptation needs to be removed from my sight! And it would make Russ happy. At least until he misses them and re-buys another set.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited April 2007
    gongrats on a fine piece of gear
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited April 2007
    One of you guys needs to come get these Von Schweikert VR4's. It's one of those 'last' speakers you'll buy. If I didn't have something REALLY special in the works, I'd probably run them till they die.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,606
    edited April 2007
    Where were those when I bought the Studio 60's? Bringing home a set of
    those would set off divorce procedings. I always seem to have my timing off on when to buy, and when to stand pat.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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