Inexpensive Integrated for GMA Europas

The Europas are fantastic speakers, but need good stands, and good distance from rear walls (I own a pair).

I'm driving mine with a Densen B100 and the sound is terrific, but that amp, even used is a bit beyond your price range.

The europas are 4 ohm, but seem to be an easy load on the densen amp and quikly get too loud for me.

In your price range two that come to mind are the rega brio and the creek 4330. Arcam may have something in that range also. An older Naim Nait could be found for that money, but is rarer.

You have the makings of a great system.

Minimal coloration and maximum transparency from a 400 dollar tube amp with 9 watts output driving a sealed box enclosure having less than a 90db efficiencey rating from less than a thousand dollar speaker pair with an audience who from previous posts appears to be much younger than me and me remembering myself at that age playing the music that I played then and do sometimes still would have clipped the hell out of a 9 watt amp trying to achieve the near concert hall levels I tried to reproduce at home resulting in gross distortion and blown drivers.What about bass control and extension while playing back Dark Side of the Moon?..Nad or Arcam would be the product of suggestion for this speaker and most of the audience seen on these pages expressing buying signs for this particular GMA product..Tom

Tom, that was a wonderfully long and entertaining sentence! So - anyone have any thoughts on this Jolida amp? I've seen generally good reports on it. Also, Roy at GMA speaks highly of a few early '80s vintage integrateds like some Onkyos and Harmon Kardons. Trying to make a good system on the cheap here. Thanks again.

Luxman 491 integrated is oft overlooked. Tube preamp section with 90 wpc SS power section. This amp is quick, very musical and has the muscle to easily drive the Europas. About $350 used. Tubes will last for 5 years with normal use and should actually be upgraded from the stock.

In my home theatre, I drive Europas with one of the Panasonic digital AV receivers. Terrific results in my application, though for music-only, I can't say. Might want more power. But you can get these receivers for around $300 new.