Warmer sounding amps?

AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
edited February 2008 in Electronics
I'm on the lookout for an inexpensive integrated that has a bit of a warmer sound to it - any brands or specific models come to mind?
Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2008
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1206633834
    "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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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2008
    wow, yeah that's nice amp, out of my price range though. I was thinking more along the price range of a Cambridge 340 - this is just something for a small PC rig.
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited February 2008
    I've got a NAD 2 channel amp and a NAD HTR, and I would describe both as "warm," certainly not the edgier industrial sound. Still, I always wonder how much of that is amp v. preamp.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited February 2008
    What speakers?

    HK3375 or similar. Can't really go wrong with the price for performance.
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited February 2008
    yeah. You can get a good HK stereo receiver for $100 - $150 new or used.

    I think I got my HK 3480 for somewhere around $175 brand spanking new.
    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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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2008
    I actually have one of those and like it alot, may go that route again, was looking for something a bit simpler, maybe smaller.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2008
    I don't know about there intergrateds but I had a NAD 2155 power amp in here not to long ago that was the warmest amp I have ever heard.

    Also I had a Jolida 1301a intergrated hyrbrid amplifier that I liked a lot. It was pretty warm and very smooth on the highs. It was very easy on the ears. It was small enough to fit in a shoe box and still have plenty of room left. I only paid a little over $200 for it on ebay. There are usually a ton of them on A-gon. You might give them a look also
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2008
    Wow, didn't even think about going tubes...that's such an obvious choice...

    I cant seem to find the 1301 for sale anywhere, but will keep an eye out, I think that would fit the bill perfectly...
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2008
    Its a pretty amazing piece if you ask me. You get a LOT of quality sound for little coin. Not to mention you can roll some different tubes anytime you want to try and change the sound. I found the Groove tubes 12ax7-m to be the best. They were the warmest and the best sounding compared to a pair Ei Elites and the stock Chinese tubes. Watch ebay too. I keep a saved search for "Jolida" and I get emails usually daily of Jolida gear going up for sale. I also watch A-gon and Jolidas get posted daily there also. Usually a least one. I don't think you could go wrong with one. If you would have posted a week or two ago I would have still had mine to sell. I sold it with 3 pairs of tubes on A-gon for $250 shipped. It would have been perfect. But I am sure one will pop up. They always do.

    Edit: This my 500th post:D
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  • ward91
    ward91 Posts: 338
    edited February 2008
    in the uk the cambridge 340 got(still holds) lots of good reviews. cambridge put some on their website.
    http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/product_reviews.php?PID=11&Title=Press+reviews
    ELECTRONICS
    arcam cd93
    linn wakonda
    MC2 MC450
    Teac ud h01 DAC


    SPEAKERS
    Tannoy DC6 t se .
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,119
    edited February 2008
    Don't know what your budget is, but take a looksie at what Manley integrated that Ted [Reeltrouble1] has. If you have the budget, it's right up your alley.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2008
    The Cambridge 340 is on my short list, but I've never heard them and don't know what their sound characteristic is like.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2008
    Jeebus - those are expensive, especially the Rega Mira 3. I'm sure they're nice, but way over my budget. I was thinking in the $150 - $300 price range....
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,564
    edited February 2008
    Look for a vintage Receiver on CL. They usually go for $30-$100. They usually have nice tunners a phono stage and they look real cool. I just picked up a Technics SA-404 for $40 and it sound real nice for a secondary rig. It is in my bedroom with a CD player and a TT hooked up to a pair pof RTA 11t and it sounds real nice.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2008
    A new Jolida just popped up on A-gon. It is the same price as anywhere else but is says OBO so you might be able to get it cheaper. You could shoot him a low number and see what he says. Just a thought.

    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1207768322
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 35,238
    edited February 2008
    vintage or current/recent production? Tube or solid state? Power level?
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