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In need of assistance: integrated amp selection

Hi, this is my first post although I have been "lurking" on audiogon for a while. My question is pretty simple, your advice is appreciated.
If you had $1500 or less to spend on an integrated amp and a CD player what would you buy? I would definitely consider used, and I have an open mind to just about any brand.
I just purchased a pair of Green Mountain Audio Europas, and plan to use Signal Cable IC's and cables. My room is approx. 15X18. My listening tastes are varied. The Europas are known to be efficient, so loads of power probably isn't necessary, although I would like plenty of reserve.
If you can't really recommend a certain model, a list of brands that you hold in high regard in this price range would be very helpful also. Thanks very much, jb3
jb3
gpdavis1
50 posts
 
Definitely the Sony TA-F808ES MOSFET integrated and Philips 963SA SACD/CD player. Why? Because I have listened to this combination (along with my vinyl) for about a year and it is great!! I especially like the 192 kHz upsampling built into the Philips. Really takes the digital 'edge' off of redbook CDs. The Sony integrated is so good that I just bought the Sony TA-N90ES amp and a Threshold preamp to replace the integrated. Have a new listening room, so back to separates. I will eventually get a BAT VK-3i to try with this combination, as well.
alufolam's avatar
alufolam
6 posts
 
i have the nad C370 and sony c555es sacd and they sound great together!you can find them new for about $1500. you can enjoy the fantastic sacd playback and the great power of the nad C370.
tomproulx
3 posts
 
I've had the Audio Refinement Complete, the Jolida 100 and the Europas for about 2 months. All were purchased used. I can't compare them to other systems but the three pieces work incredibly well together. I listen to a wide variety of music and although it's a cliché - I'm listening to all my music again, for the first time. There is an amazing amount of music that I had on my cd's that I just never heard before putting it through these three pieces. My Jolida has had Level 1 mods which I understand makes a fairly big difference. Also, when I first got my Europas I emailed Roy Johnson about an integrated that would work well with the Europas and he told me that a lot of people had given him very positive feedback on the Cayin TA 30. Good luck
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
682 posts
 
I have a tube int that I am told crushes the Jolida 502B...and its a lot less expensive too...$379 gets you an awesome sounding PP triode int amp with many extra tubes...you can then buy a great sounding cd player like a Naim cd 3.5 or Rega Jupiter...please see my ad under tube int amps...Wonderful sounding TRIODE INT AMP FS / TRADE - and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask, thanks for looking, Louis
delsfan
19 posts
 
I am on a tube kick as of late, just listened to a (used) Conrad-Johnson MV-55 tube amplifier yesterday and it was the best of anything the guy had in his store.

Very similar to that is Conrad-Johnson's CAV-50, integrated amp. At the least, I would have a listen to this wonderful sounding tube integrated amplifier - if you don't like it, nothing lost; if you do... welcome to Conrad-Johnson's wonderful world of tubes!
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