Amp Suggestions For A Newbie - Please

First: If you need an amp and preamp for $600 then an integrated is best. Second: Your budget calls for mid-fi speakers, so separates are not going to make much of a difference, if any. So an integrated is the way to go. A preamp/amp would also require more $$ for cables.

Considering your $600 budget, apartment space, and listening taste, I would say the Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp is the way to go. The AR Complete also has the clarity and dynamics for better speakers, so it affords you the ability to upgrade speakers later down the road.

Hi Fullrun.

Are you looking for an integrated or just an amp? Do you already have the preamp? I've heard the 602s in a store and have heard a few different Paradigm monitors, but never the v20s. I understand the v20s are very nice. From my brief experience, the 602s and the v20s will have a very different sound. I thought the 602s were thin and bright, and the Paradigms I heard were on the dark side. These are characteristics to consider when choosing an amp.

You might consider the Creek 4330 integrated or some of the Jolida tube integrateds. Also look into the Rega Mira. Have you auditioned any amps in stores or have an idea of what you like? If you only need an amp do some research on older Bryston 3Bs or the Anthem Amp 1. The research is part of the fun!

Dean

my vote is the anthem amp 1. you might want to look at some spendor speakers; our musical tastes are close and these imo a better musical sound.

a tube integrated might be the way to go; vtl; arc or rogue would do nicely....a little higher than your amp budget but if you need a pre...it might be the way to go.

good luck

jim

I "downsized" one of my systems to an Audio Refinement Complete (ARC) driving B&W DM602s2. I preferred the B&W's over the Paradigms. While the ARC will work with the B&W's I would not recommend this combo unless you have a good, smooth front end as it is capable of revealing any problems. If you want a more forgiving sound, try an NAD integrated amp.

Fullrun, you might want to take a look at a Sonic Frontiers Anthem Integrated 2 that is up for sale on Audiogon. The seller wants $650 for it. To be honest, I don't know a thing about this integrated, but based on the good reviews by forum members of Sonic Frontiers/Anthem products, it may be worth it to research this piece. Good luck!