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First Post Looking for Integrated Amplifier

Hello Forum!

My name is Justin and I am a newcomer to the forum (recommended by a friend). I'm looking for help on choosing an amp,integrated amp, or receiver. Currently, I have an older receiver that works great for TV, DVD and video games but lacks when I play my albums through it (there is not phono input). I have a preamp which helps but I still have to turn the volume up to about 90%. I would say that my primary focus is to get a receiver or amplifier that is more well rounded - especially for my vinyl.

I'm budgeting about $300 and something middle-of-the-road. If that budget is a bit low I would love some insight.

For speakers, I have two Sony SSF-5000s (150-watt, 8 ohms). I have to admit that I'm not too sure on what the impedance is.

Any help, recommendation, knowledge is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
jharris89
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,758 posts
 
The NAD and Marantz recommendations are good ones but if you'd prefer to buy new and want to stick to your $300 budget a good bet might be the Onkyo-A-5VL from accessories4less.com.

It's a competent amp, MSRP on it is $699, but they have them factory refurbished for $299. I don't know about the quality of the MM/MC photo stage in it but one of the big advantages of the amp is the built-in Burr Brown DAC. That opens up the world of streaming music or computer based audio.
chayro
2,987 posts
 
I think you might really like this Onkyo Integrated. I owned the previous model while I was waiting for a $4000 tube amp to be delivered and it sounded amazingly good for the price. Plus, it has tone controls, which are a good idea, IMO. Welcome and best of luck.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
The Onkyo integrated that Chayro proposed looks to be a very fine unit indeed! For $399 brand new, that's the way I would go...

-RW-
priptonite
9 posts
 
Hi all,

In a similar boat to OP. Just got a Pro-ject Debut Carbon for Christmas but am buying the speakers and amp for myself. I nabbed some Klipsch RB-81s off eBay so all that's left is the amp. I've read that the Rega Fono Mini was pretty much the best budget phono stage for MM cartridges and was planning on getting it + an amp w/o a phono stage. How would the Marantz 6004 compare to the Rega Fono Mini + ~$300 amp?
tortilladc
121 posts
 
+1 on the Music Hall. It's a great little performer with a good feature set. If something goes wrong, you can get Roy Hall on email for help (it's happened to me with a headphone amp of theirs).

Otherwise, keep an eye out for used gear in the price range and looks for reviews on them as they come up.
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