2. amps-preamps
  3. 126165-86962

Shopping for an integrated, advice s'il vous plait.

Some time ago I decided to upgrade my stereo and spent virtually my entire budget on speakers (no regrets), tacking on a Harman HK3490 as an afterthought. Well, it recently bit the dust for no apparent reason. It was only $260 and gave me 5 years of almost daily service, so I'm not too mad. Unfortunately there's nothing comparable on the market at that price, adjusted for inflation. The closest thing I could find was the Yamaha A-S801, but it appears to have the same build quality as my previous receiver. I'm not sure I'm comfortable spending close to $1k on something with disposable quality, so I've been assessing my options within my budget ($1500 max). Looking for an analog integrated with quality components and construction that will last me at least 10 years. So far I've narrowed my options down to:

Yamaha a-s1000 (new)
or
Vintage i.e. Yamaha ca-2010, Sansui au-717, Pioneer sa-9500 ii etc. 

My only problem with vintage is that it seems to take many months of waiting before a deal comes up on the model you want. I see a fully recapped and restored au-717 recently went on eBay for less than $700. Probably not gonna find a deal like that in the next year, if ever. 

TL;DR Would like thy esteemed opinions to vet my purchase of a Yamaha a-s1000. 


unknoahble
whipsaw
775 posts
 
Ah, sorry. No problem.

BTW, I am not claiming that vintage gear is objectively as good or better than current technology, but simply that some very pleasing sound can be produced by good vintage gear.

I owned a Jeff Rowland Concentra for a number of years, but downgraded to the vintage Accuphase in a new home in Europe. The Rowland was better, but I can't say that I feel deprived!
unknoahble OP
4 posts
 
I really wish I could justify an Accuphase, vintage or new, as their offerings are the apple of my eye. My speakers are the Monitor Audio RX6, and they serve me well. No speakers I've auditioned have struck me as a worthwhile upgrade without going up in price an order of magnitude, but I digress. In my mind I can't justify spending more on an amp than the cost of the speakers it's paired with. How long will I be waiting to score an Accuphase for $1500? Probably forever, right? 

Of all the suggestions made so far, the Marantz PM-15SI looked the most promising, but alas it sold before I could make up my mind. The NAD suggestions look good on paper, but I can't get over their aesthetics (my amp is the focal point of the whole room, next to my record player). The Rogue Audio Sphinx looks intriguing; does anyone know if its tone controls can be bypassed? 
whipsaw
775 posts
 
@unknoahble

Actually, the E-303 can be found for $800-1000, and I just recently upgraded to an E-303x for around $1300.

Note, however, that I am in Europe, and that is where these models are typically found (outside of Japan). Also, recapping is always a good idea, and that obviously would add to the cost. But these amps are not out of your range.
chrisr's avatar
chrisr
543 posts
 
Pourquoi pas Marantz ? I have had yamaha (18 years old still alive), arcam alpha 8 amp + integrated (dead after a few years), adcom (dead after a couple years), NAD (dead after 6 years), and finally marantz pm8004, as good or better than anything else, up and running 24/7 for the past 6 years, bought $750 delivered Therefore, in my view, nothing touches japanese electronics.  Conseil d'ami.
jond's avatar
jond
6,063 posts
 
@unkoahble what about this Accuphase listing for $1250?

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-accuphase-e-302b-integrated-amplifier-2016-09-14-integ...

I would say if you really want it act fast before it's gone too!
More to discover