Decent Integrated Stereo Amp

domflane
domflane Posts: 653
edited January 2010 in Wanted (WTB) Classifieds
I'm looking for a decent integrated stereo amp for a bedroom/computer system. Preferably something pretty new as I would like to use the optical out on my computer. My budget is about $300, maybe a little more. Something like an HK 3390/3490, but I'm open to suggestions. Speakers will be Monitor 5's. Thanks,

Dominic
Home Theater
RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
2 Channel
Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
Post edited by domflane on
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Comments

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2010
    Out of your budget but a good way to get into tubes.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95131
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • mshan242700
    mshan242700 Posts: 823
    edited January 2010
    Outlaw 1050 AVR should be in that budget range, if an used one shows up on Audiogon.com
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited January 2010
    I have a Technics SADX930 just sitting around here (100wpc x 5), with remote, manual, box, etc.

    It does not fit your exact criteria (age, # of channels, etc.) but it has digital optical inputs (2). It's yours for $60. w/actual shipping/insurance costs.
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    Onkyo makes a decent IA in this range i believe....
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2010
    Give Cambridge Audio a look also. Used though.. Leaps and bounds ahead of the HK 3490 I had..





    Nik
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2010
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1269077680&/cambridge-audio-azur-540a-





    Nik
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  • thebluemonkey
    thebluemonkey Posts: 190
    edited January 2010
    I have a sansui au-717 pm me if interested
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited January 2010
    thebluemonkey wrote: »
    I have a sansui au-717 pm me if interested

    i'd look into that if the price is right; heard great things about this unit.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2010
    Cambridge.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,194
    edited January 2010
    That for sale thread you already noticed seems like a great option to me:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94907

    I've only ever tried a h/k AVR, but I really liked it, and several others here have tried the two channel receivers like that one in the link with excellent results. I haven't watched used pricing on those, but at that price for a unit that new, it seems hard to go wrong ... unless you're going to step up your choice to something like NAD or Cambridge Audio ... or a JoLida "hybrid" (meaning tube & SS) integrated, such as the 1301.

    http://jolida.com/catalogue/models/jd1301.shtml

    It would fit your price range if bought used. I have one, and it would truly astound you, despite the modest power rating.
    Alea jacta est!
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited January 2010
    Slight edit to my original post, got the new computer today and no optical out, so thats not necessary. I like the new Harman's because they seem really well optioned for the price and I've had two of their AVR's and can't say enough about them. The IA's have preouts, sub outs and video passthroughs. Now I'd ever use the video passes, but a sub would be nice, and I'm not much of a purist. If Jerry will get back to me about that 3390 for $150, I'll probably jump.

    That being said, the Cambridge units seem really nice, I wouldn't mind having one and pairing it with one of their CDP's. Beautiful looking machines and everyone seems to love them.

    About the Jolida, I'm very intrigued by tubes, having delved some into tube guitar amps. Does that hybrid model use tube for the pre amp or the power amp? Tubes are amazing, I still can't believe the sound a 15W Fender tube amp can produce. Im still up in the air here . . .
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2010
    +1 on the Cambridge integrateds..a nice sounding amp with decent power at a reasonable price....a bit more than the Harman Kardons, of course...so if you can't find it in your price range (maybe used) the H/K is a fine performer for what you seem to need.


    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    If you can get over the "not used" thing, defiantly go for the Cambridge. I tried one for a while, and that is what spurred my most resent 'upgrade itus'. I ended up going with the B&K AVR 101, (>$300, btw) as I decided to get a whole new setup, but the CA was very nice. I think it was around $200. See if you have any used hi-fi stores in your area. We have one here that will let you effective 'demo' stuff (30 day money back) so it was fun trying different things out. The JoLida also looks very interesting.
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,194
    edited January 2010
    domflane wrote: »
    ... About the Jolida, I'm very intrigued by tubes, having delved some into tube guitar amps. Does that hybrid model use tube for the pre amp or the power amp? ...
    Tubes for the pre, 30w SS for the amp section. I would expect it to work wonders with a speaker like the Monitor 5. There are several here who will confirm what this little beast can achieve. Far more than anyone could reasonably expect, at any rate, IMO. For me, the biggest surprise was how much bass it can push out of big speakers. For music, this is one of the best options IMO, without a subwoofer. It'll be hard to find one for $250 (now that the fire sales that started about a year ago seem to be over, to a large extent), but anything under $300 is worth looking, especially if there are extra tubes (not just the original JoLida OEM tubes).
    Alea jacta est!
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,194
    edited January 2010
    Domflame, since Jerry is not responding to his FS thread, new pricing on the h/k 3390 is currently under $250 shipped to your door, from amazon.com.

    http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-3390-Receiver/dp/B00198BOAM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264090107&sr=8-2

    For more h/k bargains, you can check out their official eBay store too, for refurbished items, although I've never checked to see if the 3380 or 3390 are offered for sale there.

    http://myworld.ebay.com/harmanaudio&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSX:SELLERID
    Alea jacta est!
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited January 2010
    Kex wrote: »
    Domflame, since Jerry is not responding to his FS thread, new pricing on the h/k 3390 is currently under $250 shipped to your door, from amazon.com.

    http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-3390-Receiver/dp/B00198BOAM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264090107&sr=8-2

    WOW, thats a hell of a deal. Jump!
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited January 2010
    Dominic, Ive had these units that are all similar to what you are looking for:
    Harman Kardon HK-3480 and the 3490 and another older one I forget the model (All good)
    NAD 317 (Very nice clean powerful sound)
    Cambridge 540A v2 (awsome build quality and style)

    They were all good units - some things I liked about each unit.

    Recently I bought a used older Denon PMA-920. Let me tell you, do not sleep on the older Denon integrated amps. Not very flashy at all, but they produce a sweet sound.
    Just saying you may want to add some of those to your list.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    Conradicles wrote: »

    Recently I bought a used older Denon PMA-920. Let me tell you, do not sleep on the older Denon integrated amps. Not very flashy at all, but they produce a sweet sound.
    Just saying you may want to add some of those to your list.

    +1 for older Denon Integrateds. I've got my eyes peeled for the right one to pop up for the bedroom rig.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited January 2010
    Thanks for the help Kex, I think I'm still leaning towards the HK, just because I'm not sure what speakers I'm going to use and because I may eventually want to add a sub. It sure would be nice if old Jerry would come through on his . . . I don't have much room on the computer desk, so I think the Monitor 5's will be a little big. Maybe I'll use my T15's from the HT once I replace them with RTiA1's. Thanks for all the input guys,

    Dominic
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter