2. amps-preamps
  3. 1122582001

Integrated Amp Choice: budget tubes or ss?

Hi,

I just recently started to get into hi-fi but have been an avid music lover/listener/maker for many years. Right now my setup consists of a Rega P2 with Clearaudio cartridge, a cheap mediocre cd player, a Marantz 2100 vintage tuner, and a Marantz 1152DC vintage integrated. My speakers are StudioLab 402's (StudioLap made in France by Mosquito www.mosquito-groupe.com, not the Canadian StudioLAB).

My listening habbits are about 70% vinyl, 30% CD and styles ranging from Wire to Taj Mahal to Steve Reich.

Right now I have the option of keeping my 1152DC, but there are a couple good deals and I'm interested in upgrading/changing/experimenting. I could get a Cambridge Audio Azure 340A, or a Ming-Da MC-34A .. I know that the tube/SS divide is pretty big, but I can't decide which one would give me more bang for the buck in that price range. Both are about the same price.. the Cambridge would be new and the Ming-Da used.

Given my brief explanation of my musical taste and formats does anybody have a recommendation of one or the other?

Thanks,
Matt
emenel
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
I'm not familiar w/ the Marantz int. amp., but my feeling is to keep the tuner and get something other than the two int. amps you mentioned. Creek 4330 SE/R should be a consideration as well a used Classe/Arcam Alpha 8. I've been very impressed by the 80's Sony "Legato" equipment. I've found that newer isn't always better. I bet your older Marantz Int. amp has a better phono stage than you might realize. Bill
mimberman
299 posts
 
I agree with Kotta, I haven't heard the Ming-Da, but the cambridge is underwhelming in my opinion. For 250 you can't expect much, and this is better than the 250 bucks, but if you can you're much better spending a little more on a used piece of gear which you'll be happier with for a while. In terms of tube/ss there are about a thousand posts that mention this, and it's really about personal preference (the typically warm/sweet/musical sound of tube vs. the detailed/analytical/fast sound of ss--however you can find tube that does analytical and ss that does warm so these are usually just stereotypes...err..bad pun). I'd say for the price range you're looking there are probably more ss options that will have perks like remotes and phono stages, but I could be wrong.

Just a random sampling of things on agon that might fit the bil:

Audio Refinement Complete (no phono, but this is a great unit):
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1127326657

Arcam A65+ (has phono...this would be my pick!)
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1127251562
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
There's a mission Cyrus 1 on audiogon at the moment. I think the price is a little high, but if you can negotiate down a bit it's a very nice integrated amp with an excellent phono section.

I'd also have a look at a used Audiolab 8000A if you can find one.

The creek has an excellent reputation but I have never heard it personally.
emenel OP
9 posts
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, they're all great.
One of the reasons I was considering the Cambridge stuff is because my local dealer sells them and I can bring one home to audition...I don't know how I feel about buying "deaf," if you know what I mean.

So far all the suggestions are in a good price range too, thanks guys, keep 'em coming :)
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