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Recommendations for used/vintage integrated for vinyl

Hi, 
you guys have pointed me in the right direction a few times now and totally appreciate the help.  I sold off my pro-ject and music hall integrated that were not playing nice together and I am looking to buy a used integrated that can push my Dzurko Jaguar speakers a little harder.

Long story short I sold best components to pay for grad school a few years ago. That rig was a hodgepodge of really nice stuff mixed with my guitar center fire sale gear.   99% of my listening went Stanton direct drive dj turntable (bought on clearance for around 100 bucks), a Shure DJ cartridge (don't remember which one), 50 dollar ART phono preamp,  into a Mark Levinson No.380 preamp,  Krell KSA 150 power amp, Dzurko Jaguar speakers.  

Even though the turntable and phono preamp was pretty bottom end from a chain guitar store, all of my records sounded good with some real heft to the tone, by comparison the music hall with pro-ject was thin and revealed the imperfections of my records instead of enhancing or allowing the music to just play. 

I am about to get a Thorens 160 in excellent condition in trade for some of my unused recording studio gear and I would like to get an older integrated of at least 100 watts 8ohm to go with it.  I would like to stay away from brand new because I would like something  with longevity and will be worth roughly what I paid when and if I decide to sell. 

What are some good integrated amps for someone who 1) only listens to vinyl 2) listens to a lot or rare and original pressings that are not available on 180 gram vinyl.   

Part of me kind of wants an old Kenwood KA-9600 receiver since they seem to be held in high regard and were made when vinyl was still the top medium.  What about the 9100 integrated?  any good?

Years ago the person who gave me the Levinson 380 recommended that I should consider selling it and buy a Music Fidelity A300 since I am only interested in vinyl.  How is this as an options?

anything else? I would like to spend around 550.00 for a used integrated since that is what I sold my turntable and integrated for but I could certainly go higher if there was something much better. 

Thank you,



128x128mwrenne
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
Don't buy budget. Invest in quality. 

As I said in my previous post, longevity and resale value can still be found. You just need to know what brands and where to look.  Once you know what pieces you're interested in, wait for closeouts, open box and demo items.  All my gear was bought new or as demos at an average discount of 42% from list.  I couldn't afford it at full MSRP.  Again, the key is knowing what you want and waiting for it to be discounted.  So get on Audio Advisors and Music Direct's mailing lists and they will send you flyers and emails on closeouts.  Check out Dedicated Audio's website too.

Modern stereo is alive and well and better than ever.  Or this website wouldn't exist as it mostly caters to modern, high end HiFi.  There are other websites for the vintage fans but I wouldn't call this one of them.
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
687 posts
 
Also, leave the power on all the time on the electronics you get

garrettc
40 posts
 
Luxman, McIntosh 6100 or 6200, Sansui AU-9900 or 11000, NAD something...
theforerunner
36 posts
 
I had the Musical Fidelity A300 at three different times in my audio journey and always liked it using my Rega Planar25 to w/ Benz silver cartridge. I think you'd have to spend a little more for one, probably in the 750-875 range if you can find one st all. They are a very good integrated especially at the price and don't seem to come up for sale very much anymore. 
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