Best Integrated for 400 dollars


Hey all,

I've got ~400 dollars to spend on an integrated amplifier. It is going to be pushing the JM Labs Cobalt bookshelf speakers. What would you recommend...I have been considering the Cambridge Azur 640, Arcam integrateds, Creek, or Denon's P2000...I would truly appreciate any advice out there...Thanks
jutjut
I'm using an 80's Sony "Legato" "ACT"(Ta-Ax6) int. amp to drive my Chorus 705's. It's an excellent amp. Another 80's Sony int. amp (Ta-Ax44)drives my daughter's Energy XL-15's. For the $ used, unbeatable. IMO, I would look into a warm sounding/refined int. amp to drive JM Lab spks. I would consider a Marantz PM-57 int. amp as well. A soft/mellow sounding int. amp which would mate well to the JM Labs. (I have mint one w/box, manual & remote. Send me an e-mail if you'd be interested.) Also, you'd might consider older (70's) Kenwood/Sansui int. amps as well. If I had to choose an int. amp on your list, I'd go w/the Arcam. (I know a dealer which has a very hard to find mint Arcam 5+ int. amp.) Good Luck. Bill
I found a Myryad MI-120 on this site for $450. Incredible build, features and sound quality.
If you're looking for new, try the new Rotel RA line integrateds, which have an incredibly musical sound: I heard the RA-01 driving a pair of Tetra louspeakers, and I can't stop thinking about it since! Great micro-dynamics and dynamics. I believe they've won some awards in Europe already. And a beautiful slim-line silver casing, IMO. The matching CD player and tuner are also quite killer, a friend of mine who works in a high-end shop took home the tuner, which he felt offered more bang for the buck than the Magnums.