NAD vs Cambridge audio vs Music hall


I am a college student on a limited budget putting together my first real system, i have found a pair of totem dreamcatcher monitors and have a small sub to go with these speakers, i have posted forums before, asking about cheap tubes vs ss etc. i think at this point i am going to go with a ss just because of the fact that i still have a year of school left and that im not all that experinced and dont know if im ready for the 'maintenance' of tubes right yet. I have narrowed my choice down to 3 budget integrateds, the NAD c320bee ($400 new), the cambridge audio 640a ($479 new), and the music hall A25.2 ($600 new), unfortunately i do not have the ability to demo any of these. I apreciate all recommendations and and experience that anyone has had with any of these amps................ thanks
robferg
I compared some of the lower end NAD stuff to the Rotel and CA stuff, both integrated amps and CDP's for a system I wanted to get my son for his birthday. I listened extensively to the integrateds, the CA sounded better than the other two brands mentioned. I liked the CA CDP better also. Never listened to the music hall. All pretty reasonably priced.
Oh dear, I'm going to disagree with Hammergjh. I compared the Cambridge and NAD models you mention and came away with a clear preference for the NAD. I was happy about this, because it left me with more cash for a source or for music.

(BTW, my preference in sources was the other way 'round. I liked the Azur 640 CDP better than the NAD BEE player.)

However I haven't heard the new Music Hall model you mention. If it's a Shanling in disguise, chances are it is a killer value. It would be nice to have a post from someone who has listened to it.
yeah i believe that the music hall piece is relatively new to the market, it is about in line with the others as it is a 50wpc. Music Hall also makes the Mambo integrated which is also 50wpc but it costs about 1300, i realize that it has a DAC and a 'better' build quality, but i am wondering what else it might have over the 600 a25.2 if anything